Weekly Arizona journal-miner., 1904-06-08
PLhTFORM.

NouStllutiDu was dtDiileA VIII ouls d
few minor changes. The platform
was read ana adopted as follows:
PLhTFORM.
The socialists of the Territory o.
Arizona in convention assembled, at
Prescott. June 6, 1904, declare their
allegiance to the principles set forth
in the platform of the socialist party
of America, adopted At Chicago, May
6, 1904.
In every thinking quarter it is rec
ognized that the present industrial
and political conditions n intolera-
Die The system of wealth produc-
ton has reached a stage of efficiency
unparalleled. but it is evident that
taere are defects of a most serious
character in the system of wealth dis
tribution. Socialists submit that theirs
is the only correct analysis of eco
nomic conditions, and hat oply by
the Inauguration of Their policies IN
der working class administration can
grave disasters be avertei and social
peace be secured Vast agencies are
already at work to perpetuate inius-
tice. and we warn the working class
that only by prompt and vigorous &C
ton can they preserve he liberties
and material advantages which they
now enjoy.
The vast majority of the people are
at the mercy of an industrial despot-
ism which stands athwart the path of
social progress. In the midst of PRO-
digious plenty We have the anomaly
of gaunt want and revolving degrade
ton of vast masses of the people. La
Dor. which produces all wealth, IS de-
MED the enjoyment of its product, and
forced to accept in wages a small pro-
portion of the value of that which it
creates. The capitalists, in complete
control of the machinery of wealth
fail to provide for those
dependent upon them, and stand in
dicted before the bar of civilization
for criminal incapacity in the dis
charge of the social trust which chri'
possession of wealth imposes upon
them. We. therefore, demand the ab-
clifton of the institution Of private
property in the MEANS OF PRnDUC-
TION and DISTRIBUTION. and the
if an industrial democ-
racy which shall guarantee to every
producer of wealth the full value of
his product.
The tools of production, which
were formerly simple and owned by
the individual workers, are no longer
in their possession. The simple tool
has grown into the machine of to-
day, but with the change from indi-
vidual to social machinery there has /
been no corresponding change from
individual TO collective ownership. As
4 consequence the workers, having no
property interest in the machinery of |
production, find their right to labor |
and to live dependent upon the pleas !
lre and profit Of the capitalist class. !
BY their ownership of the means Of |
production and distribution. the cap
italists dominate the industrial situa- !
ton, and have reduced the workers to !
a condition Of dependency and virtual
slavery.
The supremacy of the capitalists
in the political field is as complete as
in the industrial world. Practically
all laws are enacted in their behalf. /
Executive officials consult and pro
-ect item, I'D the deliverances of the
judiciary are shaped TO suit their |
needs and pleasures. They are able. |
by threats of loss of employment. to |
2oerce the wage earners into voting |
for capitalist parties and policies.
Thus the individual liberty of the cit |
izen-the cornerstone of democratic !
governments curtailed and the re-
publican character of our institutions
is destroyed. The government agen-
cies, instead of being directed for the |
good of the whole people. are con-
trolled by the capitalists. whose ne
and desires become the
written law of the land. Private prop
erty. and not human liberty. is made
the basis of social ethics; and press.
pulpit and the schools are prostituted
for the purpose Of perpetuatfng the
life of capitalism.
Between the possessing class and
the working class there is a constant
struggle over the division Of the prod
ucts of labor The workers. in seek
ing to better their condition by Sc
curing higher wages. can only realize
their ambition by decreasing the prof
its of their employers. Out of this
conflict of interests come the strikes.
lockouts, boycotts, and those distur-
Dances which keep the body of society
in constant turmoil As long as these
interests exist. so long
Continued on Page Four.