The Tucson citizen., 1902-02-15
Greed OF Socialists
YUMA. Ariz.. Feb. II, 1902.

To tho Editor OF The Citizen:
In your editorial The rights of
Socialists" in the issue of January
23rd. you say that the Socialists
want more government--much more
government , an the Democratic party
which holds that, the least government
is the best government Is disposed to
subscribe TON fact, wants to go into
partnership with the government and
entirely sink the individual in the
meshes of the State" Please allow me
space. as student OF sociology. to
explain the views of socialists on this
subject In the first place you say the
ideas of government contended for by
the Democratic party are widely dit
ferent from those maintained by the
Socialist" | do not say you are
wrong there, II by the Democrats
party you mean Clevelandtsm, or even
Organism. but If you mean the true
definition OF democracy. "a govern
ment by and for the people. there
would be quite slmilitude: for social
lists contend that the people should
have the right to initiate or reject any
or all laws made by their representa-
tives And also the power to discharge
from further service any elector who
failed In any way to represent the
people As Il Is now we elect Demo-
crat to Office and swear him in under
Republicanism; perhaps. which Is Of
ten the case. he is a corporation law
yer. receiving ten times more salary
from corporation or trust than his
public service salary, therefore. we
cannot expect government or. by.
and for the people Socialists believe
in the initiative. referendum. impera-
tive mandate. and proportional repre-
sentation. that all wealth ueiongs to
him who produces 1t. and that there
is enough waste energy expended now.
to reduce the hours OF labor to four
or less per day ii concentrated In
producing only the thing. necessary
and useful for mankind. We also be-
lieve with our immortal Jefferson,
thai all men are created equal" that
every child horn into the world has
an inallenable right to life, liberty,
aud The pursuit of happiness and its
equal share in all the beauties.
bounties blessings. bestowed on this
earth by the Advise Being, for the
Use of mankind. and also it's share in
The right to life means a chance TO
earn an honest living. Air today Is
the only bounty of nature that Is left
free by the corporations, and man
cannot live on air alone. Jesus said,
man cannot live on bread alone" We
also believe in the public ownership
OF the means OF production and distri-
button: all private. personal property
to remain private. Now. II these
changes would completely merge the
individual in the meshes of the State.
think II woul be good immersion
any way. good for the people. but. of
course. as now arranged, the people
are not the State.
The trusts teach us that competition
Is wrong. .he people must own the
trusts. for self preservation is the first
law of nature. but whatever the ma
iority rules Is law and order. accord
ing to socialism. We don't propose to
change things until the majority votes
for a change and in order to obtain a
majority we must convert some good
Democrats and Republicans. and when
that time comes-and it Is surely com
ing-according to the signs of the
times. we propose that the majority
shall rule.
Yes, I am willing to admit that we
as Socialists do want to go in par
tnership with the government. and
so should all good Democrats, but we
do not aim to entirely sink the In
dividual in the meshes Of the State"
Fraternally yours for justice.
S. II. JOHNSON.
Secretary of Socialist Club. Somer-
ton. Arizona.