The Wichita daily eagle., 1901-05-31
socIALIsM, AND VIZ n MEANs.

Dr. s. F Scott Of Waukoms Oklahoma writes TO the
Eagle for an explanation definition Of the word SOCIAL
ism Webster says TT is theory Of society which adYo-
Gates more precise orderly and harmonious arrange
ent Of the social relations mankind than that which
has hitherto prevailed; communism" He then defines
Communism as the reorganization Of society or the doc
tne that it should be reorganized by regulating prop
erty Industry and the sources Of livelihood and also the
domestic relations and social morals Of mannd the mega
ton Of individual rights IN property"
In concrete form the above is Socialism; it is the
Socialism Of dictionaries but altogether the Social
ism Of popular understanding does not give the
detailed information which, belief Dr. Scott de-
sires
Modern Socialism IS to some extent ike Christianity
It's vital principles universally the but like
Christianity might be called sects
The two larger denominations known Ideal Social
Ism" and Practical Socialism, In Kansas and Oklahoma
we have both head of Ideal Socialism" IS
Mr. J. A. weyland of Girard, Kansas while the national
head Of Practical Socialism" is Mr. Eugene Debbs of
Terre Haute Indiana We believe we not mistaken
when we say that these two gentlemen are leading most
sincere and most intelligent exponents of their particular
school of modern Socialism in America.
Ideal Socialism is fighting directly for Communism;
practical Socialism is fighting indirectly for it
nterests it would have no individual to property
would have opportunities among all For
instance John Smith would be a railroad president
banker a tailor or section hand according to his abi
es he would give the product Of his capabilities
entire community and receive in return the general
wealth of the community which would be the entire
ticn everything he may need physical mental
social and spiritual betterment development and comfort
in return for which needs would be adequately sup
Piled.
Practical Socialism does not demand radical change
It would reach ideal Socialism by gradual progress For
the present would satisfied the government OF
community ownership public utilities such as railroads
street railways teegraphs telephones water works and
gas and electric light plants AS the communal manage
operation Of these things would become sys
temazed and successful it would take in the newspapers
Lotcs bakeries, woolen cotton mills manufactures
all and finally farming wo:.- practical
Socialism would try do century what ideal Social
would do n a day.
theoretically the schemes of both are decidedly fas
cnatng they would result in by practical opera
ton another story. The opponents Socialism con
tend that adapted to Socialism, the
Socialists combat this by proving that success has at
tended s0casuc experiments in cases than failure
They show what practical, progressive Socialism has
done in Edinburgh Glasgow Australia and other places
ana produce astounding figures support their asser
tons. socalstic opposition the other hand shows
where the public ownership utilities has resulted in fail
certain places Michigan Indiana Wisconsin and
Illinois where the system had abandoned altogether
maintained at greater cost to the ners than the
utilities could be furnished throqsa private or cor
porate ownership.
At this point in the dispute the Ideal Socialists step
in and insist that efforts at public ownership fail
because the system not general that if general Social
ism prevailed every at public or communal owner
ship would be success How can you succeed in operat
ing light plant" they say. when you are dependent
the coal other trusts for nnetenths of the
constituent elements factors in the creation and
transmission Of the energy2 Give the ownership and
control Of everything and win show you what we can
DO" And there you are.
There is one thing involved in the dispute and only
that is clear all and that that the tendency OF
the times is decidedly direction of either communal
or corporate ownership Of public utilities The individual
isn't in it plans of the future He is rapidly losing
the ownership Of his necessities and has ali but lost their
control de is becoming mere machine in tne affairs
of the world. He the struggle between communal
and corporate ownership of everything struggle that
viii become more vigorous violent with the years
and is not improbable that he viii be called upon sooner
than he expects to line himself up in the contest
It is pity that the individual cannot have more Of the
ownership control tbings that God and Nature
intended Tor him. according to his Efforts
HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL.