The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-09-10
MUST HAVE CAPITAL
Always TArss Factors in the Production
efwsaith- Never Produced by



Editor Independent: In a recent
editorial note discussing the necessity
for combining the three factors: land,
labor, and capital, in order to produce
wealth, i. e., the things that tend to
the material comfort and mental ad-
vancement of mankind, you say, IF
socialists and some other theorists
would bear these things in mind they
would not get into so dense a fog as
they generally do whenever they un-
dertake to write or talk" Permit me
to say, the socialists do bear this in
nind, and fully recognize its force.
They are aware, however, that money,
owned by private individuals, is not
the only capital extent. They fully
understand the fact that all tools of all
kinds for the production of the nee
essaries- and Injuries, if you will-of
Life, are an important part of capital.
This fact you also recognize when you
say: "A man must have some capital
before he begins the production of
wealth if 1t is only a sharpened stick
with which to stir the SOIL"
The socialists believe in the possess
sion of the most ample capital for the
production of all things which make
for the physical comfort, intellectual
enjoyment and moral elevation of
mankind; but they do not believe this
capital should be owned. largely or
entirely, by the few, thus degrading
the many to a wage slavery which in
ic h> hof to1
slavery of antebellum days. On the
contrary, they believe it should be
owned by the commonwealth CO.
operative commonwealth - which
would. in fact as well as in name, be
a government of. for and by the people.
They believe that the state ownership
O. school houses, of public roads, of
court houses, of waterwOrks and, in
| r.any instances throughout the world,
OF street railroads and lighting plants
could be broadened to include the own-
ership of all sources of production and
distribution to the great and lasting
benefit Of all our citizens. When I
say "the socialists" / mean the gem
nine believers in scientific socialism,
those who are socialists from honest
conviction; not the wild-eyed reform
ers "whO are always ready to take IN
any new cause which promises them
rotOriety. and by their possibly we'll
meant enthusiasm do more harm than
Food.
/ Socialism is advanced popnlism-ad
vaneed from reform to revolution.
That is whv SO manv former ponnlists
i houo CIV -:
| The progress of the world from bar
/ barism to its present state of semi
/ civilization has been marked by revo-
/ lntions of some kind. Reforms in ma.
tiOnal governments have not been en-.
/ lowed with that necessary desider.
a.ion-permanencv Governments are
made TN of men. Men aro largely pov.
erred by human selfish passions
Therefore neither men nor govern
ments can be permanently reformed
so long as selfish aims can be gained
4 Nv dishonest and corrupt practices
The only way to effect permanent re
forms is to- remove. bv revolution j,
cur governmental system. all hone o
rewards to be gained by dishonest,
and corruption. Remove the motiv'
fer dishonest actions and men will
SLOWLY perhaps, but surely. return t,
the honesty taught by Him VIII,
scourged the monev-changers from on
His Fathers temple
do not for one moment believ
that The Independent intended to d
The socialists Injustice bv the remarl
have quoted. and feel SIRE it's edi
tor will pardon me for nv comment
, thereon. We are both working for tn
: elevation Of the standard Of manlyin
. by education. and I believe we wi
: 10th be happy when the people ar
able to clearly comprehend that tn
true brotherhood of man. lies in &C
: operation rather than in destructiv
!. competition. trust, therefore thu
we NAV both live to see the breakin
! of that glorious day.
CARLOS GOOD.
s st. Louis. Mo.
u 1.-THE paragraph criticised was wri
ten by the editor to refute the fallac
I constantly proclaimed by all the Sc
cialists in this part OF the country thu
1abor produces all wealth" th'
wealth is crvstalIized labor" eft