The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-10-09

Il am not a socialist, l am an in
dividualist, which is the exact opposite
of socialism. The socialist believes
that everything should be under gov
ernment control, while believe in the
fullest opportunity for the individual"
Tom l.. Johnson made this statement
at London, o., Sept. 80. Ii shows that
he is getting eornered. Nominally. he
was replying to Senator Hanna. Act
ually, he is alarmed at the rising re-
volt in the Democratic ranks against
the radical ground that he has takeI.
His talk comes too late. and 1t Is not
true at any rate.
The first obstacle Johnson will have
to get rid of to have Ohio Democrats
forget that he is a socialist, will be
his own party platform. Its entire
trend is in that direction. That fact
was plainly stated by speakers in the
Johnson state convention. This was
the reason given for a minority report
of the committee on resolutions. No
Johnson man challenged these public
statements. johnson and Clarke and
all their crowd were there, but made
no dissent. This was the reason given
in the public press for Zimmerman's
refusal to have his name used. He
would not even be a candidate with
such a platform.
One of the socialistic planks of the
platform provides Ior having street
cars and other public service plants
established under municipal owner
ship and operation. Johnson is trying
in Cleveland at this time to establish
a city lighting plant that will cost
| $4,000, 900 by the time it is completed.
| His endeavors in this direction have
| affected Cloveland's credit so that her
bonds cannot be sold.
The Democratic press are beginning
| to speak plainly on the subject OF the
socialist capture of their party. While
| the Columbus Citizen supports the
ticket, 1t has taken grounds against the
taxation amendment because it Is the
| open door to the single land tax. which
It calls socialistic and even commun-
istic. The Cincinnati Enquirer. speak
| ing of Socialism in the Campaign,
/ gives plain. strong and conclusive
| reasons against any support for John
| son by conservative citizens. Ii says
that observers look with hesitation
and doubt upon the socialistic and
new-fangled doctrine which Mr.. John
son is advocating"
The Enquirer also says THE whole
tendency of the movement which Mr.
Johnson is engineering is in the direc-
ton Of state socialism, which Is the
absolute antipodes of genuine Democ-
racy." MIR. johnson himself recognizes
this direct antagonism between the
two principles and yet seems abso
lutely obliviOus to the fact that his
own doctrines are socialistic beyond
all doubt II he Is so dumb land thai
quality no one attributes to him) a:
not to see this. he is certainly an un
safe leader. II seeing it he denies
that makes him doubly unsafe anC
unfit.
The Enquirer further notes. refer
ring to a correspondent article: 'Th'
writer says nothing specifically of thu
single tax probably because that doc
trine has been -wallowed up anC
| merged IN the more BeheEal anu Coh
elusive one OF the socialistic party
AND HENCEFoRTH THEY MUST
ALL BE RESISTED TOGETHER.
would. however. doubtless be of inter
est to our farmers to know just wher,
Mr.. Johnson stands on the question o
the ownership of farm lands" If h
is true to his past record and all hi
past public professions. Johnson viii
be true to Henry George and his doc
trine. If he is true to Henry Georg
that means the taxation of all Lam
values to their full rental valu
to accomplish what George himsel
plainly calls confiscation. because. a
George says. WE MUST MAXI
LAND COMMON PROPERTY" AM