The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1904-03-15
PLATFORM OF THE
TACOMA SOCIALISTS

The Socialists of Tacoma have adopted
the following platform, upon which their
ticket, recently printed in The Times, will
base its claims for consideration by voters:
eve, the Socialist party of Tacoma, in
convention assembled, proclaim our al
legiance to the Socialist party of America
and affirm our unfaltering adherence TO
the principles and the program of inter-
national revolutionary socialism
"In presenting our candidates to the
working class and those in sympathy with
it, we base our appeal upon the following
declarations, and our platform OF princi-
pies:
1.--Labor produces all wealth
"2.-Under the present economic and
political conditions, labor's share in the
wealth which it creates is merely mean
and uncertain existence
$50 long as the present organization
of industry remains, the capitalist class
will monopolize the machines of produc-
ton and will appropriate, through the
wage system, the wealth created by the
working class.
"4.-This appropriation of labor's wealth
by the capitalists is so complete that it
enables them to live in luxury and idle
ness.
'5.-As necessary consequence OF this
exploitation of the laborers by the capital
lists, this appropriation Of all property out
of the hands of the toilers into the private
ownership Of the holders of capital, there
is an inevitable war between the interests
of the working class on the one hand and
the interest OF the capitalist class. on the
other.
"6.--This class struggle between the
wealth-makers and the wealth-takers will
endure so long as our present system of
production for profit continues.
"7.-In this conflict between the work
ers and the capitalists labor Is disarmed
on the economic side, all the instruments
for the production and distribution of
wealth being owned and controlled by the
holders of capital.
"S-There is only one weapon with
which the working class can successfully
oppose the capitalist class, and that is the
ballot.
"9.-This fact demands as an inevitable
conclusion the organization Of the working
class into a political party that shall
be, everywhere and always, distinct from
and opposed to every political party not
founded entirely upon the interests Of the
working classes. The Socialist party is
organized to meet this demand, and is
therefore the party Of the working class.
We recognize that in a municipality our
power for permanent relief Of the working
class is limited but
"l0.-The Socialist party, when in Of
fee, shall, always and everywhere, until
the present system Of wage slavery is ut.
terly abolished, make the answer to this
question its guiding rule of conduct: WI1
this legislation advance the interests of
the working class and aid the workers in
their class struggle against capitalism? II
it does, the Socialist party is for it, if it
does not, the Socialist party is absolutely
opposed to il.
"Il.--In accordance with this principle,
the Socialist party pledges itself to conduct
all the public affairs of this city in such
manner as to promote the interests Of the
working class.
"l2.--In conclusion, we appeal TO all
working men to study the principles of
socialism, to vote with their class at all
elections until they overthrow the power
Of capitalism, abolish industrial classes in
society terminate forever the class strug-
gle and inaugurate the cooperative com
monweath based upon this fundamental
principle Of justice: "ro every worker
the full product Of his laborl'
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