, 1902-04-17

The Cheyenne Tribune defines So
cialism in its modern acceptation in
the following lucid
The Tribune has been asked to de-
fine socialism in its ordinary accepta-
ton. 1t may be said the socialist party
has principles which represent its i'm
mediate demands, and it also has be-
liefs which cover the ultimate trans
formation of existing forms OF indus
try and society. 1t Ices not make its
views of the distant goal aimed at
serve as the main features Of its plat
form in campaigns. AS the culmina-
ton of its purposes it holds that all
the mean OF production shall be owned
and administered by and in the inter
est Of the people. as united in the state
or the nation. 1t urges the organiza-
ton of the working classes to gain the
control of the public powers now en-.
joyed. Is it maintains by capitalists.
1t stands for the organization Of a com
plete system of national. cooperative
industry. based on The common or col,
%lective ownership and management OF
all means OF the production and distri
button Of the accessories of life and
all forms Of wealth made by a II
aims at ultimate international social
ism and the brotherhood OF man. Al
steps in the direction OF these vast
changes the principal socialism party
urges the general adoption Of woman
suffrage. the public ownership OF ali
Industries controlled by trusts. com
bines, and other monopolies, and the
public absorption and operation Of al,
railroads, telegraphs. telephones and
all means OF transportation and com
munication, also Of all waterwoIws. gas
and electric plants and other public
utilities. This party stands for the
public ownership OF all mines and al,
gas and oil wells, for the general re
duction of the hours of labor in proper
ton to the increasing means of pro
duction. and fer the Inauguration Of
great public works for the purpose Of
| giving work to the unemployed. ma
tional bonds to be issued to meet that
outlay, II required. 1t demands thai
useful inventions shall be made free
to all users, the inventors to receive
suitable remuneration from the public
treasury. 1t asks. also, that labor leg
~islation shall be national instead of 10
cal and, when possible. international
1t urges the national insurance OF the
working classes against accidents, lack
of employment INT want in old age. II
stands for the abolition Of all legal
distinctions between the civil and pc
litical rights of men INT women. 9th
er demands are for international ar
bitration and the abolition thereby ot
all wars and for the adoption of the
Initiative and referendum system, pro
portional representation, and the right
Of recalling representatives who be
their constituents. 1t Is easy to per
ceive, ia nearly all cases. what these
demands or party principles mean. but
in a few instances some explanation
may be needed. The initiative and
referendum system. for example,
means that a certain part Of the vot.
ers should have the right to demand
that acts Of congress or of state legis-
latures should be submitted to popular
vote before taking effect, and that, In
like manner, a given proportion Of the
citizens OF the nation OF Of q state
should have the power to submit any
measure to the proper law-making
bodies and force 1t to a vote. Proper
tional representation means that all
political parties or organizations
should have such a part OF the mem.
bership of legislative bodies as the
number of votes they cast is of the
whole number polled. These are the
main principles of the socialists as a
working force in politics.