The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-04-11
/ SOCIALIST NEWS AND PROGRESS:

on current events in the economic and |
political world. This number also con- |
tains the second installment of Jack |
London's powerful story of The Pe0-
pie of the Aybss.
Socialists of Chicago held largest
public demonstration in their history
on Thursday, March rs, in the interest
of the Socialist party municipal ticket.
The Auditorium. the largest hall in the
city, was packed to the doors, at ad-
mission of 25 cents to 81. Mother
Jones and Father McGrady were the
principal speakers and both were
greeted with enthusiasm. In beginning
her address, Mother" Jones said: Il
feel that we are nearing the end of oul
fight, because this magnificent gather
ing tells me the workers are at last
awakening to sense of their duty. 1t
is only when our masters see use polit-
ically organized that they recognize us,
and realize our power. AS long as we
are content with an industrial organi-
zation the capitalists can get injunc-
tions against us and can send troops to
shoot us down. But when we gain
control Of the government they will not
have the power to shoot us. We will
be the government"
The only other political party besides
the Socialist party, which can be con-
sidered to stand for an ethical prin-
ciple in this country, is the Prohibition
party. Although mistaken in it's course
mistaken because Of it's lack of con-
~
are responsible for the drink habit
the Prohibition party strives for ar
ideal.
For this reason it must be considered
as a vital political force, it's members
voting for principle rather than for
spoils.
Therefore it would be worth while
for Socialists to pay more attention to
the Prohibition party than has been
done heretofore.
After all, is there SO much difference
| and the Socialists?
1t is my candid opinion that there is
not.
The sincere Prohibitionist fights
whisky because he is Mortified over the
results from it's use, the destructive
consequences, the many wrecked
homes. the evil influence upon inno-
cent children, the misery and degrada-
ton Of the wives of drunkards and the
| numerous crimes caused by the craze
for intoxicants.* .,.g~ j.. .:.4.. .a.
Ia
1deed: It rs, there: can sbet no quest ION.
| humane to be Mortified at the terrible
| harvest the drink-dev is reaping
| among his unfortunate victims and the
| Socialists with their lofty aspirations
| for better civilization are fully cog
infant of the fact.
It is manifest that there can be no
difference of opinion between Social
lists and Prohibitionists as far as the
results Of the rink-habit is concerned,
| but there os a. difference and very
wide difference, indeed, between the
| Socialists and tn Prohibitionists re-
garding the cause.
The prohibition Of the sale of intoxi-
cants, the closing Of breweries and sa-
looms under the present economic and
| social "disorder," would only aggravate
the evil
| Wherever the Prohibitionists by their
| efforts accomplished the passage Of
! prohibitive laws, the sale of liquor was
kept up secretly, in spite Of the law.
| Not this alone, the fact is that people
who never cared to indulge in intoxi-
cants, found an immense pleasure in
visiting the numerous blind pigs; so in
the state of Iowa, where I had ample
opportunity Of studying the conditions
at the time prohibition ruled supreme.
! f,Y,if <oc
est'
The remedy therefore is not the pro-
hibition of the making and selling Of
intoxicants, but the removal of the
causes which in most cases lead to
drink.
The Prohibitionist may ask: How
shall you stop drunkenness if you per-
NIT the manufacture and sale of
whisky"
1t is this question that can be an
swered by Socialists only.
Let us explain to the Prohibitionist
that the present system of the exploit
alton Of the many by the few has made
it Impossible for millions of human be-
ings to lead a we'll ordered and regular
home-life, that the economic depen-
dence of the toilers drives them to
saloons.
Working hard all day, the toiler
needs some kind of recreation and find
ing very little at home for amusement
but likely very much to discourage
him, he goes where he is sure to find
men in a kindred situation, fellow
victims of capitalism.
He learns how to drink, to play
cards, to stay away from hime.
II the Prohibitionist considers this
picture to be 0verdrawn, let him bu,
visit the slums of our large cities.
There they live in smoky dingy
dirty holes; the children half naked Of
clad in rags; ah, the sluns, where the
widows of workingmen, killed on thu
Industrial battle field, the factory, are
trying to support their little children
by their hands hard work, where thu
little. boys are living, who sell news.
papers on the streets of the metropolis
where the crook, the offscouring O.
society, but its proud product, is hid
= linz. where the nr0atitrte the "a st asfd,