Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1901-03-01
10 McDILL'S MUSINGS.
SOCIALISM.

principles in the discussion OF methods
The government ownership of public utilities
is only means to certain end. 1t is
method that leads to higher end than mere
operation by the people What seemingly IS
involved is the same service society now re-
ceives, at less cost or at actual cost; but the
end includes far more than cheaper service
The temptation of greed to extortion is en-
tirely removed, and thereby cheaper service
is established.
The assumption here is, and it is apparent
without argument, that one class OF people COL
lects more money than it is fairly entitled to-
and is taken from another class, and tar the
largest, that can i'll afford to bear extra burdens
II is also assumed, and it stands ncontrovert-
ible, that the class upon whom extra burdens
are imposed need the money thus unfairly
wrested away in supplying the actual wants OF
comfortable existence.
We pursue this thought little farther and
we find that extreme poverty is as surely deoas'
mo TO the human race as that the failure to
feed orr domestic animals tends to deterioration
and DEATH
1t is not only poverty that socialism would
DESTROY, but the EFFECTS of poverty. Briefly:
For the service rendered society by public utll-
tiles, society is forced to pay more than the
service is worth. Here we have an aggravated
| form of extor,ion, and socialism seeks not only
70 DESTROY extortion, but likewise the incentive.
Cooperation becomes the substitute OF COM
petition. The same principle is applicable in
the manufacture of merchandise or in the dis
tribution and use of coal, oil or any of earth's
products. | think, too, that / shall be safe in
assuming that few men have no moral right
to eobble all the land and hold it for high rent
ais, because we find that i'll so-doing, extortion
can be practiced to such an extent as to virtual
" deprive the multitude OF the means OF COM
Portable existence, or even, as we see IN the old
countries, death upon countless numbers
through starvation.
Socialism does not assume that bread and
meat are all that there is that is worth striving
for; on the contrary, bread and meat are
means to an end. We eat that we may live,
and we seek shelter that we may have health
and comfort.
Ill.fed bodies are productive of weak minds
and abnormal natures; aid, while these charac-
teristic are not confined to the ill-fed, yet, we
do find that where multitudes are herded to-
pether in foul tenements, like rats in a sewer,
there is the absolute impossbility of any adj
vancement, either morally, mentally or phys
ically. To feed people, clothe them and house
them comfortably is the first step in the direc-
ton of advancement. For some time, it has
been recognized by religious and charitable So
cieties that there is no hope for the denizens of
thickly.crowded tenements unless the surround
ing conditions be bettered or entirely removed.
The impression so industriously spread
abroad that Socialism contemplates the forcible
seizure of wealth, and its division among the
several families OF society, is as untruthul as it
is absurd. AS we we'll know, it would not cure
the evils with which society is afflicted, not
even for day.
John Ruskin presents the fullest type of the
socalistic idea of our day. and we find
that every man, woman and child, rich and
poor is embraced in Ruskin's ideal of higher
civilization. Ruskn believed in religion, but
disapproved of creed and formality. He be.
lieved in government but CONDEMNED present
laws and nations usages. He taught that all
men should aspire to a knowledge of literature,
art and sciences. He taught the cultivation of
courage, but not to be displayed upon the bat
tle.6eld. He bestows highest praise upon wife,
mother and home. His high ideals plead for
love, instead of hate; for morality, instead of
| immortality for compassion, instead of revenge.
| He declared that a nation composed of
| 'money making mob" must cease to exist
| Socialism strikes at the money.making mob
| as being the root of all evil. Greed is the out.