The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-10-18
PLEA FOR SOCIALISM

either of these factors, we hold it as
~self-evident that is was Gods inten-
tion that the land as well as air and
heat should at all times remain the
common property of the whole COM
monwealth.
Where did the first owner get his
title to private ownership of land?
Most likely he took possession of it
by force. We do not propose to take
it from the present owners in hat
manner. We aim to control legisla-
tion and to do things lawfully.
When the working class becomes
the law-making power, then they will
make laws in their interest, exactly
as h capitalist class are making
them in their behalf today.
Should the capitalists refuse to
obey the laws of the commonwealth,
then we will simply have to use force
on the law-breakers to restore order
AS before stated, this system is
self-destructive because it is con-
Quoted for profit. If all the producers
received in wages an amount equal in
value to what they produced, then
they would be able to buy all they
produced.
If the working class of this nation
was able to buy all the products of
the nation, then it would be useless
to seek a foreign market, because we
as a nation would have very little to
sell. But suppose that a laborer pro-
duces ten dollars worth of commodi-
ties, and receives as wages only two
dollars per day for his work, then his
purchasing power is only one fifth of
his producing capacity, consequently
it leaves a surplus of four-ffths Of
his products, now the man who owns
the means of production takes as
profits these four-ffths of the labor
er's product. AS large corporations
always employ a great number of
workers 1t stands to reason that their
surplus value accumulates very fast,
and the purchasing power of the
workers being limited to one-fifth of
their product, the corporations are
compelled to seek a foreign market
for their surplus. The Orient is the
only market left. When China shall
have received all the machinery
which she will require in order to en-
able her to produce on u~p-to-date
basis, then she too will become an
exporting nation. When these condi-
tons hav reached their eliminating
point In all nations, Their we will be
compelled to dispose of all our pro-
ducts at home. But as the purchas-
ing power of the working class does
not equal their producing power, the
factories will either be closed down,
which would cause a panic; or else
the commodities would nave to be
left to rot in the warehouses. Men
do not work for the sake of working.
But to produce commodities and let
thtm rot, would be a system of eco
nomics betting an insane race. All
men not being einsane, the system
would ultimately die.
Socialism is strictly a political
movement, but as such we recognize
the brotherhood of man, because we
all trace our origin to a common
source. We are all inter-dependent,
therefore it is true that humanity
rises or falls as a whole.
You will only truly benefit your
self in proportion as you uplift hui
manity. But how are you going to
uplift humanity? BY joining hands
with all others h a lift: by Joining
their organizations; by working to-
gether to accomplish one purpose
jointly.
If o wanted to live the Christ
like life now. you would go broke be-
fore evening.
A country in which criples are
forced to beg for the means of life,
is not worthy to be called civilized.
1t remains for you to help to the full
extent of your power to make it
worthy.
People who have become disabled
from any cause whatever should be
taken care of by the commonwealth
for the reason hat their condition
was moi a matter of choice.
Under a just government each of
such people would receive, as a mat
ter of right, just as much as any
other membe of the commonwealth.
:. 1 can imagine a condition whereby
you could compel honest men either
to become dishonest or die of starva-
ton. Why not help to inaugurate a
system hat would make honest men
out of thieves, and breed pure women
: instead of prostitutes.
Considering that you have nothing
to gain by being dishonest, you would
always prefer to be honest. 1t is
! class interest that make men dishon-
{ est. Make the interest oil all men har-
moniZe. If you do not think that this
is feasible, study socialism; and IN
t proportion as you do so Will you be-
come convinced of the feasibility,
Z practicability, n justice of the the.
: cries of socialism.