The independent., 1903-12-03
AMERICAN SOCIALISM
Isrmsr Populist Candidate for Gsvernoz
Of MisseuriSuggesfs Msssures and
Means Tor an Americas
Socialism

Socialism
Hon. o. D. Jones, of Edna, Mo-.
who was the populist nominee for gov
ernor of that state in 1896, has since
that time, as he believes, progressed
into socialism" He thinks he is not
now a populist, but full-fedged So
cialist, and to prove his faith by his
works has written book Of LAO pages
entitled American Socialism" This,
IN paper covers, may be had of him at
Is cents copy.
Primarily a reading of American
Socialism" will convince the Initiated
that.if Mr.. Jones is a socialist" then
practically all populists are also so
cialists;" but that those who profess
to be simon pure, revolutionary social
lists are not so in fact, but are some
thing else. The Independent Is in
cIined to think that Mr.. Jones Is a
little mixed in his nomenclature; that
he is not socialist at all, but simply
a radical populist, going a little far
ther than the platform demands OF
the peoples party, but not differing
more than millions Of old party men
differ from their platform professions
OF political faith.
FOR example, how does this sentence
harmonic with economic determin-
ism" and the "materialistic cQncep-
tion of history: INSTEAD OF this, 1t
presents society as a great Ferris
Wheel, filled with people impelled by
law and force over which they nor
society have any control. -. Ii this is
true, ii we are only part OF a revoly-
ing, developing mill; il we cannot re-
tard, hasten or otherwise modify this
motion, by the use of any teaching or
sentiment we may advocate, why take
any more trouble about it? Why pay
more money for literature, lectures or
propaganda work, If it is all the re-
suit of inexorable, physical fixed law,
a material and moral fatalism? Why
write panegyric on the passing
show?"
es, indeed, why? Any populist
might with propriety ask sucn ques-
tions-but socialist, never. The
answer, Mr.. Jones, is that the COOP
eratiye commonwealth must be born of
reYolution; it must be hatched out
like chick from the egg. Literature,
lectures and propaganda work are to
prepare the wage-worker foI the
''bornin'" so that the infant may not
die
Socialism is not communism" says
Mr.. Jones. while it aims to eliminate
destructive competition, the state of
industrial war, sought to be main
tanned by the exploiting class, as well
as that of race, political and national
war, it does not teach or propose the
impractical idea of q national crib,
hotel, table and laundry; one COM
mon stock, each citizen to hold tick
ct of credit, to be punched fol each
meal, shave, bath or wash .... 1t is
mortifying to see such system held
forth by certain teachers and papers
as socialism; to hear it announced
that government ought to own and op-
crate a paper plant; it ought to own
and farm all the land on great scale,
each person to get his share of the
produce, somewhere, somehow, on his
ticket, from somebody
Dear Mr.. Jones, you have certainly
read to poor purpose your Com
munist Manifesto" your Economic
Foundations of Society,"" your $50
cialism, Utopian and Scientific" your
Capital" and the thousand and one
other books which have some claims
to be regarded as authority on the
subject of socialism. OF course. no
scientific" socialist would contend
that government ought TO own and
operate paper plant" or anything
else-that would be what Liebknecht
would call state capitalism. Moth
ing is socialism SO long as the wage
system prevails; while the dsinher-
ited must sell his energy or labor
power to the owner of the means of
production and distribution--or some
portion OF them-be that owner a nat
ural person, corporation, or the
government"
You certainly understand that the
ultimate aim OF all socialism is 60 se-
cure "the collective ownership of the
means OF production and distribution.
The paper plant would be owned by
the COLLECTIVELY, whatever that may
mean. Every laborer in The paper
plant would be part owner In II
aud have voice In It's manaeement.
No one would work Tor wages. Ev-
cry iahorer would be credited with
tho number Df Nnnra of Iat.ar ,ar