The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-22
THE SOCIALIST VOTE.
It's Rapid Increase Causing PoIiti-
clans Concern.

washington Star.
The rapid increase of the Socialist vote in
this country has been causing the politi
clans considerable concern. There are in
dications that an international propaganda
of socialism is progressing at this time, and
Democratic and Republican party managers
expect to witness still further gains in the
Socialist vote at the next elections. In
other countries besides this the Socialists
have made notable strides recently. show
ing the effects of consistent and persistent
efforts TO advance their cause.
The Socialist party is well organized in
New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, all
New England and in Ohio, Indiana and Illi-
nois, with campaign committees, plenty of
funds and all the means of carrying an
aggressive campaign. The Socialist pro-
motors work almost entirely among the Ia
boring classes. holding small meetings and
addressing a few persons at a time, but
holding the meetings every night. They do
not wait until the elections approach. but
preach their doctrines all through the year.
In the mining and manufacturing towns
they are especially active. Their men hold
the workmen as they come out Of their
places OF employment and harangue them
for half hour. coming back repeatedly
and drilling the same argument into them
day after day. The Socialist motto seems
to be to keep everlastingly at it,
According to reports which come to the
party managers the Socialists are now in
vading the agricultural regions. They are
sending their takers to places where the
farmers gather for social intercourse and
some time during the meeting make it con-
| venient to address the asSemblage upon the
| doctrines of socialism.
The international propaganda is being
watched with great interest by American
| politicians who think they see reflection
| in this country of the efforts being made
abroad. The recent elections in Germany
| of socialism abroad. The Socialists elected
| eighty-one members of the German Reich
stag. q gain of twenty-three since the last
election. Analysis of the returns shows a
steady concentration of the small parties
under the Socialist designation, the Clerical
and Conservative parties showing no losses
| or gains.
| In a recent article in the independent
Emile Vandervelde, who is universally re-
garded as one of the most brilliant Socialist
| leaders in Europe, told of the Socialist
| propaganda. He said that since the inter
| national Socialist congress in Paris in 1906
| the International Association of Working
| men has been entirely reorganized. All the
| Socialist parties of the two hemspheres in
/ Guiding those from the European countries
| the United States. Japan, Australia and Ar
gentina, are now represented in the in
England is said to be the field promising
| best results to the Socialists abroad. The
| English labor unions are being tackled by
| the Socialist organizers, who are working
| might and main to get foothold for So
| cialism among them. The Socialist vote 1;
| not represented to any extent in the Eng
| lish Parliament, but the Socialist leaders
| declare that the next elections will show
| material increase.
In the United States many politicians be-
| lieve that in the presidential elections OF
| 1904 the old Populstic vote and the radica
Bryan element will esupport the Socialis
candidates. They fell sure that such will
| be the case if the Democrats nominate {
| conservative man on a conservative plat
| form.
1t is pointed out that boiling Democrat,
| party would not have strength to make
good fight alone, but that by combining Will
| the Socialists on some sort of a fusior
plan they might elect a number of repre-
| sentativeS in Congress. There is some un
certainty as to which party is losing mos
by the increase of the Socialist strength /
| is claimed in Pennsylvania the Republican,
are losing, but that in New England thu
detection Is felt keenest i'm Democrat,
|