The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1902-08-01
CITY OFFICIAL PAPER.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 1902.
SOCIALIST PLATFORM.


the socialist party of Montana, in
Bozeman. that which was lacking in
members was made up in enthusi'
asm, but after considerable difficulty
nominations were made, the candi-
date for supreme court Judge being
a stranger to the profession of law.
This trifing disability was overruled,
however, the Chico placer miner ac-
cepting the doubtful honor, and his
running mate for congress is Geo. b.
Sproule, a Helena photographer. 1t
was noticeable that Cascade county
was unrepresented in the socialist
conclave, and that Silver Bow, as
usual, held the balance of power. The
only remarkable or novel principle
contained in the platform was the
alliance with other political parties,
even to the extreme of denouncing
any socialist candidate who may ac-
cept the Endorsement of any other
party This ultra attitude seems
most unwise for a new party and at
once removes it from the field of po-
litical usefulness, as it starts out
with the handicap Of isolation, offer
ing no inducement to new disciples,
who may agree with them in all
things generally. but cannot hope for
material benefit as long as they re-
main with the hopeless minority.
Many brilliant, active men, who have
aspirations and might accept the
principles of socialism, will hesitate
long to espouse that cause which is
SO hampered. Steadfast allegiance to
the older parties gives hope of re
ward, but the socialist party of Mon
tana, if it continues so MORALLY eX-
elusive will hardly become an import
ant factor in Montana politics in this
generation, and so few can afford to
wait The platform adopted is as fol-
lows:
''We the socialist party of Mon
tana, in convention assembled, pro-
claim our allegiance to the socialist
party of America and of Montana,
and affirm our unfaltering adherence
to the principles and program of in
ternational socialism.
I'm presenting our party to the
working class and those in sympathy
with it, we base our appeal upon the
following declarations as our plat
form of principles:
'First-Labor produces all wealth.
Second-Under the present eco.
nomic and political conditions labors
share in the wealth it creates is
merely a mean and uncertain subsist
ence.
"Third-So long as the present or
ganization of industry remains, the
capitalist class will monopolize the
machines of production and will APP
propriate through the wage system
the wealth created by the working
classes.
"Fourth-As a necessity consequent
on this exploitation of labor by CAPT
talists, this appropriation of all The
property hands of the toilers int
the private ownership of the holders
of capital, there is an inevitable eco
nomic struggle between the interests
of the working class on the one ham
and the interests of the capitals
class on the other.
"Fifth-The class struggle between
the wealth makers and the wealth
takers will endure so long as on
present system of production TO
profit continues.
''Sixth-Tn this conflict between tn
workers and the capitalists labor i
disarmed on the economic side, a
the instruments of production an
distribution of wealth being owne
and controlled by the holders of cap
tai.
Seventh-There is only on
weapon with which the working elias
can successfully oppose the capitals
class, and that is by the ballot.
"Eighth-This fact demands. as a
inevitable concession the organic
tion of the working class into a poll
ical party that shall be eyerywhel
and always distinct from and O
posed to every political party nj
founded entirely upon the interest
the working class. The socialist part
is organized to meet this demand al
therefore, is the party of the workir
class.
''Ninth-In conclusion. we appe
to all to study the principles of S
cialism, to vote with the party
their class at all elections until th'