New-York tribune., 1903-01-25
CONNECTICUT SOCIALISM
VIKING RAPID STRIDES.
T71escs Of Leading Men iR the Party
May Haze an Organ Soon.

bridgeport. Conn. Jan I CSpeciall-The rapid
strides which Socialism is making in Connecticut
we're never more convincinsy demonstrated than in
ne recent State election. The great in the
>;ocia stic is the more noticeable because Of
he fact that Il had many things TO contend with
I'll Of which had tendency to cut into the vote.
,-hief Of these causes which made inroads into the
Socislstic vote the adoption by the Demo-
cratic party of a platform which embodied many
plaks closely approaching, if not quite reaching,
he principles in the Sociaistic platform. Many
voters who would have voted the straight socialis-
tic ticket had there been quasi-Socialstic planks
in the Democratic platform voted for the latter.
The Socialist ticket polled about three thousand
votes the last election. In 1900 the Socialist
vote was Less. This shows almost a twofold in
crease. This wonderful growth OF 2 party which
has little thunder for making itself heard has
been the for several earnest conferences
1etween the leaders Of both the old parties, for
i the growth Of Socialism continues in the same
ratio as # increased in the recent election over the
vote IN 1900 II may not be long. many say. before
Connecticut viii elect Socialstic governor
Probably the best general reason for the increase
is the feeling of and the striving better
conditions among the labcring men. The Socialist
candidates who for Office in the recent cleo
ton are unQuestonably law-abiding and peace
loving citizens And they give evidence by their
statements OF having studied somewhat carefully
economic conditions.
Francis E. Wheeler. who was the Socialist can
didate for governor, makes the following state
rnent IN explaining the increase in the Socialist
vote:
Whenever there is any labor trouble which. OF
course brings home the laboring their
true condition. there is always increase in the
Socialist at the next election Generally when
mere is q strike the laboring people learn that
he Republicans and Democrats stand in the same
sttitude toward them. and then the workingmen
~esl lfze that if they want relief through govern
1nent they turn away from the two old
hat iS WINS hey
Marty
II is approa ching time when the workingmen
must choose between the present captalstic sys-
-en and the cooperative system. The coal strike
gave the workingmen valuable lesson in the CO.
operative plan The cooperative plan is where
he interest Of one the interest of all, and If
II had not been for such a plan the coal strike
could never have been carried as it was; or any
ether strike carried on successfully.
The Socia list party stands for the cooperative
nan. II such a plan be successful in the con-
duct of strike. there is reason why it can
not be successful applied the government Of all
the people
PARTIES 90. We have already begun our campaign
tor the 1904 election. We began the day after the
last election The vote in the recent election was
gratifying. and shows that the laboring men are
beginning realize that they must be united in a
party II they would their conditions bettered.
M Wheeler is d representative OF the best class
rt Connecticut Socialists. Poverty never made him
2 Socialist. 1T is my interest in my fellow man.,
declares Mr.. Wheeler. that made me Socialist" "
For twenty-five years this peace-loving, good
citizen type Of Socialist has worked the bellows
ana struck the iron while il hot the anvil
il z blacksmith's shop in Avon. in the town of
Pennington. From bellows boy. at the age Of
fifteen Mr.. Wheeler worked himself up until he
has now half interest in the firm Of May &
Wheeler Mr.. Wheeler is thirty-seven years old,