The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-31
1ediate demrnds. He SAID the w~orkingmen


cared little whether the railroads were
controlled by the government, but they
ideas. He added that the Socialist party
must have an opinion and adhere 10 IL to
hope to gain power.
Simons's speech was followed by Com
rade Hoehn's. who became greatly agi-
tated In denouncing the minority OF the
platform committee. He claimed that II
the platform was adopted and the immedi-
ate demands or the party omitted there
would be an anarchistic movement spread
over the country instead of a socisllstic
movement. He caused q stir in the cOnNen-
ton by vehemently declaring that he would
not stand or fight on the minority platform
II 1t We're adopted.
Ihis bold declaration brought a quick re-
tori from Comrade Simons. who said he
nad been instructed to accept the result OF
TINS convention and would not whimper II
ne were voted down. Secretary Mailly rose
10 the floor and characterized Hoehn az a
half lrishman and half German that said
tnings during a heated argument that ne
cd not mean and regretted later. This et-
tort on the part OF the secretary 10 explain
Iioenn S heated declaration met with dis
approval from a number of delegates.
AFTER calm was again restored the ten
minute speeches proceeded. Comrade Val
IRE: OF Chicago. who has been in the So
clalst ranks for about fifty years, delivered
MS frst speech in English. in which he
said the platform should not contain the
views of merely one faction. but should in
cluGe the views of all factions as best II
could. Numerous attempts were made by
younger Socialists TO interrupt the Chi
cago speaker. as he occupied more than
MS allotted ten minutes. but the Interrupt
tire was allowed to conclude his extensive
review of the situation.
CLASHING THEORIES.
Comrade Clemens spoke for about six
minutes against the adoption Of the report
of the platform as submitted by the ma
jority of the committee, and he crowded
more arguments into that short time than
any other speaker. He began his remarks
by saying that the man with the "disar-
ranged galluses" need not interrupt him,
because he was deaf, the Lord having pro-
vided him with a pair of ears to speak TO
rough houses" He said he did not un-
derstand why the Socialists desired specific
demands set out in their platform, as II
copy OF the platform prepared by the ma
Jority of the committee. and as he said
he would not discuss government owner
ship of railroads he threw the paper 10 the
floor.
Millionaire Socialist Wiltshire spoke In
favor OF abolishing immediate demands ana
making the platform conform to economic
conditions. Comrade Murphy of Missouri.
said the majority would have to show him
where the government ownership of rail-
roads would benefit the wOrkingmen. He
said the platform as prepared was full of
'himf1am' clauses, and the clause pertain
Ing to the government not selling n more
l0DAAS ANA was ii LtAt june SO3AiA aux
MacSweeney also spoke against the plat
form and Comrades MacCartney and Hill
quith spoke in favor of the immediate de-
mands.
THE PLATFORM AMENDED.
The wrangling on the question of strik-
ing out the immediate demands in the plat
form was resumed "a the evening session
of the convention, and the pro
and con were made with as much fervor
as characterized the SneachaS hefOra the
adjournment Of the afternoon session.
Speakers insisted on expounding their views
on the matter and there seemed to be no
settlement in sight until Comrade Heron
secured the floor and by consent of the con-
vention offered an amendment to the inn
mediate demands section of the platform.
He said the amendment was made after
consulting the members of the platform
committee of both factions and il was a
compromise measure made to expedite the
vote on the platform. After the amend
ments were read the convention agreed 10
debate on the substitute demands. The
amendments strike out the first four de-
mands and substitute four other demands
The fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth de
mandS were not changed, but a paragraph
was added setting forth the attitude of the
party. The amendments are as follows:
Il. The public ownership of all means OF
transportation and communication and all
other. public utilities as we'll as of all ipr
dustries controlled by monopolies, trusts
and combines. No part or the revenue OF
such industries not to be applied 10 the re-
duction of taxes on property of the capital
list class, but TO be applied wholly TO the in
crease of wages and shortening of the
hours of labor of the employees, to the i'm
provement of the service and diminishing
the rates to the consumers.
= The progressive reduction of the hours
OF labor and the increase OF wages in order
10 decrease the share of the capitalist and
increase the share of the worker in the
product of labor.
'3. State or national Insurance of work.
ing people in case of accidents, lack of en-
ployment, sickness and want in old age,
the funds for this purpose To be collected
from the revenue OF the capitalist class anc
to be administered under the control of the
working class.
"a. The Inauguration of a system of pub.
that purpose in order that the workers be
secured the full product of their labor.
But in making these demands as steps In
the overthrow of capitalism and in the es-
tablishment OF the cooperative common.
Tealth. we would warn the people against
capitalist political parties, which always
result in perpetuating the capitalist sys.
tenn through the compromise or defect oil
the Socialist resolution"
FEAR THE CAPITALISTS.
The compromise on the platform was af.
fected in order to secure a unifcation OF
the two parties and both parties yielded 9
trife in their views TO meet the views OF
the opposing faction. Comrade Herror
spoke on the amendments and said it wa.
necessary for the convention to adopt de
mands that would be suitable to the work.
ing classes of the country. He said tn,
capitalist parties are. getting ready to de
feat the Socialist party by going int
partnership with it. He said to compronis,
with the capitalist parties would be tn,
death of socialism.
The debate on the substitute platform
lasted until 1890. when il was voted to ad.
journ until s o'clock this morning. There
was a split in the Chicago party on tn,
question of accepting the demands in IN,
platform and many said they had been i'm.
structed 10 vote against any demands, bu
that they. would waive all matters for 8
unity of the two parties. Ii is believed that
the vote on the platform Will be taken soor
after the convention cOnvenes this morn.
Ing unless there is another wrangle oyel
the wording of the platform proper.
WOULD GIVE AWAY LAND.