The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1900-06-14
SHOULD NOT ABUSE soCrai,,srs

Editor Representative: 1 want to sa,
a rev words in regard to the abuse that the
Socialists are receiving through your paner
FIRST l will say that I am a straight
M1ddle-of-the- Road Populist, was a dele
gate to the st. Louis convention in 1896. and
was one OF the 70 delegates from Tennessee
tnat stood for straight nomination against
Bryan; also delegate to the Cincinnati
Convention that nominated Barker and Don
nelly-two Of the best men, l think that
IL was possible to finland expect to work
and vote for them. But all this talk against
the Socialists I regard as a mistake. for
the reason that the Socialist party Ia an
the Populist party.
They are fighting the some common enemv
tnat we are-the Democratic and Republi-
can parties. And as understand Socialism
there Is very little difference between them
and ourselves. The Socialists want to ma
tlonalize everything that is for the govern
ment to own and control everything which
is but step further than we propose going
FOR, isn't 1t fact, that the remedy we pro-
pose against the trusts Is for the govern
ment to take charge Of all trusts and mo-
nopolies. own and run them In the interests
OF all alike? Further, isn't it a fact that
about everything that is worth ANYTHING ia
now formed into trusts for the interests of
capitalists? So that is about all Socialists
could DO. There Is. perhaps. this difference
IN the maj result OF carrying out each ones
principles as advocated: The Populists
would give every man the full value of his
days labor, while the Socialists would go
mem one better. not only give each and
every man the full value Of his davis work
out would furnish employment to all who
needed and wanted to work. And in INV
opinion, that would be about all that could
be done for mankind
Yes they differ on two important things
0rNd mn
to do away with money Altogether and use
instead certificates that would show the
amount OF labor each one had performed.
winch would be redeemable in any and ali
KINDS OF products Of labor and that is all
that money could do. except it belongs to
the money sharks, who always control
money. This enables them to back n nm
SO that 1t becomes more valuable. which en-
ables them to get far more for it when thew
90 part with 1t. This they could not do
with labor certificates, as they would only
be redeemable in goods of the kinds that
man needs. There would not be any money
sharks or robbers. II we were to do away
with money and use labor certificates in
stead, would there? 1 can see no cause for
their existing then. And on the land ques-
ton, the Socialists say that the govern
ment should own all the land and make all
improvements and I suppose charge each
and every one for the home they lived in a
than we now pay in taxes and there would
not need to be any little tumble-down
shacks built-nothing but good, comfortable
houses with modern improvements As all
would want good houses to live in when
ever their labor would enable them to get
such houses.
I want to say right here that in thar
way millions of people who never owned a
home and never will under individual
ownership of land would have homes to
live In for the reason that the peculiar dis
position of mankind is such that most Of
them could not keep land, If they had it
they would sell or trade 1t OF. ANY wav ia
get rid Of it.
Take three-fourths OF mankind. II thew
had each one million acres, inside Of I'VE
years they would not have enough left to
build home on; the other fourth
would own all Of 1t and soon much less than /
one fourth would own all the land as 1t is
get what they now have and do away with
the cursed saloons 80 that man cannot have
the opportunity Of wasting his labor by
them, give men the full value |
of their labor and you will do away with all
suffering for the mere necessaries Of life.
Less than one per cent today of the peo-
pie own 70 per cent Of all the wealth. Did |
he one per cent earn TIT took manual |
ab0r to produce 1t.
Mr.. Roberts fs mistaken when he saws
hat Socialism would compel the laborer to |
iivide up with the millionaire and tramp. I
The reverse Is the fact With Socialism
everyone gets the full value of his work
without having to divide up with anyone.
10 the tramp and the millionaire would be
to work or starve. It would do
way with both. There could be no such
hing as any man accommodating a million
dollars, not even 10000; and as to the
ramp, there would be no cause for him. A
he government would always furnish work
o anyone whenever wanted. So that the
aw. no doubt, would be such that It would
ven prevent the lazy cuss from trampinR
'ver the country without sufficient labor
ertihcates to support him.
According to Carl D. Wright's the gov !
rnment statistician's report, each DAYS
Rbor throughout the country averages ten
ollars day. The laborer gets an average
about one dollar Of 1t and the other nine
ollars goes to make millionaires and sup
ort fellows who wear silk hats and ride
4 nne carriages. and never work any
Socialism would prevent all that.
With the use Of modern machinery. own
BY the government and Inducements Of |
BRED. as there would be for other inyen-
Ions, how easy It would be for everyone toI
ave all the necessarfes Of lffe with many
( all Of the comforts? A few hours work
J each day would furnish all that anyone
eeded. Then you would not see suffering
40 want on every hand a. It IL today.
The spirit Of reform ID IN the ar. The
unicipai ownership Of water works. electric