The Elbert County tribune., 1902-07-10
LAUNCHING A PARTY
SOCIALIST STATE CONVENTION.

Referendum Vote.
Colorado Springs, Colo, July dyes
terday was the second day of the
state Socialist convention. II was
marked by the withdrawal from the
convention Of Lieut.. Gov. David q.
Coates because of a proposed article
, in the constitution providing that no
person shall be eligible TO membership
In the Socialist party who holds any
Office, either appolntive or elective,
under any other party. Mr.. Coates
denounced the action In n strongly
| worded speech and left the convention
| hall. Later the section WIS amended
so as to apply only to persons who
shall hereafter join the party. but
whether this viii heal the breach with
the lieutenant governor is not yet
| known.
The report Of the committee on agi-
tation. as adopted by the convention,
| provides for n secretary-rreasurer and
a state executive committee OF seven
members. who shall arrange meetings,
hire speakers, etc.
The report also recommends that the
party shall withhold Endorsement of
any privately owned newspapers and
| that the executive committee shall es-
| tabllsh paper ms the official organ OF
the party.
The afternoon session was devoted
almost wholly TO the discussion of the
platform, and the platform as adopted
follows:
"The Socialist party OF Colorado, in
delegate convention assembled. for the
| purpose, among others, to adopt and
submit to the electors a constructive
program for radical and revolution
ary change In the economic system and
political government of the state. and
firmly believing that when any system
or form of government becomes de-
structive of the common welfare, 1T
Is the right OF the people to alter or
abolish 1t and to Institute new gov
ernmenf, laying Its foundation on such
principles and organizing Its powers
In such form ns to them shall seem
most likely TO effect their safety and
happiness, and further believing that,
In natural law TO which all Just eco
nomlc systems and civil institutions
should conform, the only right In land
and capital Is based upon occupancy
and use by the people. and that such
right Is inalIenublc: that the full prod
uce of labor constitutes the natural
recompense of labor; that the capital
ist system OF appropriating land and
exploiting labor by means of rent. in
terest and profit should be abolished,
and In place of the present competitive
wage system the collective ownership
by the people OF all means OF produc-
tIon and distribution should be estab-
lishcd: therefore this convention de-
clnres:
"First-That II ndieres to the princi-
pie of International socialism and re-
niiirms and endorses the platform OF
principles adopted nt the national con-
vention OF the Socialist party held at
indianapolis, June 20, 1901.
''Second-That 1t demands the estab-
lishment OF the cooperative common
wealth. based upon the principles of
the collective ownership by the people
of all means of production and distri-
button.
''Third-To ordnin in the organic law
| of the commonwealth the collective
ownership by the people of all the
| means of production and distribution.
and the operation by the people In their
collective capacity of all mines, smelt-
ters. mills, factories. railroads and 9TH
er Industrial activities.
"Fourth-To abolish the competitive
| wage system and ordain that every
worker shall receive the full product
or value OF the product of his or her
| labor.
"Fifth-The reduction of the hours
| of labor to the level of industrial pro-
duction and distribution. measured by
the work OF the entire COLLECTIVELY.
''Sixth-The freedom from toll of all
workers after certain age or other
| limit, and ample provision for all such,
and the sick and the helpless.
"Seventh--The freedom from toll of
all workers after certain age or 9TH
er limit and ample provision for all
| such, and the sick and helpless.
"Eighth-The establishment of
| compulsory public educational system,
founded upon scientific principles. ev-
| cry child In the commonwealth TO have
equal opportunities.
"Ninth-The establishment of free
hospitals. libraries. gymnasiums and
places of amusement.
"Tenth-The abolition of all penal
Institutions. except proper places of
detention under scientific supervision.
"Eleventh-The abolition of capital
punishment.
'Twelfth-Thc abolition. as fast as
possible, of taxation on land and capi-
tai and the products of labor. and the
establishment In place thereof Of just
system OF public work.
'.Thirteenth--The abolition of the
militia system and teaching of military
murder In schools. q
"Fourteenth-That the family is the
unit of the socialist commonwealth, in
dlvidual liberty In harmony with col
lective rights its sacred principle, and
freedom of conscience in religious mat
tcrs eternal and inviolable."
Following is the list of candidates
to be submitted to n referendum vote:
Congressman-at-Large Frank p.
Wood. Denver; Ida c. Hazlett, Victor.
Governor-J. G. Provost. Cripple
Greek: Edward Boyce, Denver; b. Il.
Norris Denver.
Lieutenant Governor-R. A. South
.x.1at.th nanuar. { ANillintnc Nor