Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-12-13
THE DECLINE OF SOCIALISM.
Philadelphia Press.


The defeat of the Socialist party in the
Mayorality election in Haverhill, Mass,
Tuesday, is most significant sign Of the
decline of socialism. In the elections Of
1898 and 1899 Mr.. John g.. Chase was
chosen mayor of the city by what is known
as the Social Democratic party. This
organization includes nearly all the Demo
cratic party combined with the elements
of discomfort and unrest outside OF that
party. Its success two years in succession
was regarded as a strong evidence that the
socialistic sentiment was growing in Massa-
chusetts and especially in the manufacture
ing cities of that State. The defeat this
year will put cheek on the growth of the
organization.
The total vote cast and its division is
significant. The poll aggregated 7O7l, OF
which the Republican candidate received
395l, the Socialist candidate 1874 and the
Democratic candidate 1856. This shows
how completely the Socialist party has
absorbed the discontented element in the
Democratic party, the conservative ele-
ment going over to the Republican party.
The victory of Tuesday carried with it the
control of both branches of the City Coun-
Gil and places the full responsibility of the
municipal government for year to come
upon the Republicans. The result is the
more noticeable from the fact that the So
cialist party employed every method
known to carry elections, money having
been sent it from nearly every branch of
the party in the United States.
The fight made in Haverhill was, then,
of more than local significance. 1t was
really national in its meaning. 1t was as
serted that the prevalence Of socialism had
injured the value of property in that city
and in other ways damaged its reputation.
The attempt to have the city furnish its
own gas eupply also aroused much opposi'
ton, and other movements liz the direc'
ton of municipal ownership added to the
discomfort. No one of these propositions
has been carried out, as the City Council
has been under opposition control, but
their suggestion and discussion has awak-
ened apprehension. The campaign Of this
year was waged especially to secure So
cialist majority in the municipal legislat'
ure, the reelection of the Socialist Mayor
being considered a practical certainty.
These expectations were disappointed,
however, only two Socialists having Sc
cured election to the City Council.
The Haverhll defeat is not the only sign
of the decline of socialstic ideas. The
complete disappearance Of the "Jones"
vote in Ohio is another proof. In 1899
Mayor Jones Of Toleda polled lO6,721
votes as aSocialist candidate for Governor.
The Democrats hoped to absorb this vote
and carry Ohio in the Presidential elect
ion, and to this end Mr.. Bryan had Mayor
Jones travel with him over the country.
They were bitterly disappointed, however,
the "Jones" vote failing to realize and the
Republican vote increasing while the DEM
ocratic vote fell off, The socialistic vote
of the whole country has not yet been
compiled, but from present indications it
is likely to be much below the vote polled
by the same party in 1896. All these are
encouraging signs that socialism is on the
decline. Tuesdays election in Haverhill
is one of the most significant indications in
that direction.