The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-03-15

| for this vote and efforts will be made in | that direction.
 The Socialists first organized a local in Birmingham in 1900. It was then com posed almost entirely of Germans. One elector for Eugene V. Debs for President received BPS votes in the national election held that year in this State Two years ago r. X. Waldhorst. a carpenter, one Of the active members now in the Bir- mingham Trades Council, moved to this city, and he started in to organizing the English speaking Socialist local. In the election of 1902 in Alabama B. Andrus of Birmingham. a carpenter by trade, was nominated for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industry. In Jefferson County Fred Lennon, am iner,, was nom mated for Congress to represent the Ninth Alabamha District, and George Barbour of Pratt City "a miner and R B. Towards of Bessemer, a carpenter, were nominated for the Legislature. An drus received 2,312 votes in the election in the State. According to an official an- nouncement $22 was spent in this cam paign in the interest of the Socialistic Party. Of this sum railroad fare was paid for speaker in portions of Jefferson County.
 The following platform was adopted last year and is still in effect: ..
 The Socialist Party of Alabama, in convention assembled, do hereby declare allegiance to the principles of interna- tional Socialism, and the principles and
 
 ca; and submit our platform and candI- dates for the consideration and support of the workers of the State, whether in neld, shop. mine or oftice farmers, la bOrers, skilled mechanics or professionals
 The following principles are advocated by the party:
 F1rst-The abonshment of the poll tax Since it's intent and effect is to disfran- chise the poor, and Is q source of political corruption, so 1t is subversive of every principle of political honor and equality
 Second-All property, whether private or corporate to be taxed at It's full value ana sufficient percentage of said tax to be set aside for school buildings and the maintenance of the public schools
 Third-EducatiOn to be free to all and compulsory upon all children under IA years of age. All text books to be print ed and furnished by the State, free to all public schools.
 Fourth-The employment of children un- der 14 years of age in mines, factories and shops to be declared Illegal by statu- tory law.
 Fifth-The enactment of a statute. fix ing the hours of toiI Not more than eight hours in twenty-four to constitute a le- gal days work in all departments of la bor.
 sixth-Abolttion of the check system and all wages to he paid weekly or semi monthly in United States currency.
 SeVenth-Phat all employers, private individuals and corporations to be held
 
 any employe through lack of safety ap- pliances or other causes, while in their employment.
 Eighth-The reformation of our Penal System, by abolishing the Lease system and employing all conviCts by the State under State supervision. in producing their own food and clothing, and other necessaries and all not so occupied tn be employed in building improving and maintaining system of public roads throughout the State
 Ninth-The election of all public officers by direct vote of the people, and the right of recall of any officer who fails to carry out the pledges made to his constituency
 Tenth-The submission of all laws to the people affected for their ratification or rejection before becoming operative The Initiative and Referendum"
 Eleventh-That all Incorporated towns and cities be assured the fullest measure of local self government, the will of the tissue bonds and to own and operate pub lie utilities and everything they may see proper to own collectively.
 Finally, we ask: Has any other mo- litical party proposed any measures that will afford the same relief from the op- pressions now affecting the people of Alabama?"
 In Birmingham the greater number of the members of the Socialist party are members of the trades union and several officers in the Birmingham Trades Coun- cil the central trades body. are leading the members of the Socialists. Meetings are usually held on Sundays An effort was made at the last election in the Trades Council of Birmingham to make all officers of the central body members of the Socialists, or as nearly so as pos SGhlA~