The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-03-21
FAILS TO ANSWER
THEIR QUESTIONS
Young Mems Sunday Club
Members Too Inquisitive
for Socialist Lecturer.

The Young Mems Sunday club, which
met at the Pilgrim Baptist church yes
terday afternoon, listened to a talk on
socialism by w. /. Brown, an elderly
gentleman who is an ardent supporter
of the socialistic doctrines.
Mr.. Brown, in a talk which was not
as explanatory as might have been
expected from a socialist speaker, told
of the benefits to be derived from CO.
operative principles and government
ownership.
Private ownership" said the speak
er, results in trusts and excessive
ownership, and is Objectionable because
it increases poverty among the masses.
A few grow wealthy under our present
system of bad government, but what
we want is an equal chance for all,
and this is to be found only in the
principles of socialism"
Mr.. Brown, in selecting examples of
municipal ownership, spoke Of the fire
department, the public schools and even
the public streets.
Under the present system, he said.
the ofhceholders were after nothing but
the salary connected with the office,
and he declared that all public offices,
even the courts, were being conducted
in the interests of the wealthy classes.
Mr.. Browns talk on the merits of
socialism did not appeal very strongly
to the young colored men who are
members Of the Sunday club, and a
number of them asked him to explain
matters which he was unable to do In
a satisfactory manner.
After Mr. BROWN had finished to1Ii11o
of the ideal conditions which would be
brought about by a government con-
Quoted under the socialistic principles
Harvey Burke. of Minneapolis, a men,
Der of the club, interrupted him by
asking question.
How would you bring about this
change from a republican form of gov
eminent to that Of socialistic form %
asked Mr.. Burke.
Mr.. Brown was not quite sure how II
could be brought about, but he be-
neved the people should select for Of
ficeholders people who believed in the
principles of socialism. He believd the
change could be made, but he was I'M
able to explain how it might be done.
Bombarded With Questions.
The speakers apparent weakness on
this point was cue for more Ques-
tons, and the meeting resolved itself
into discussion of the subject, during
which the questions came so fast that
Mr.. Brown resumed his seat without
attempting to make reply.
DR.. V. D. Turner said he was very
much opposed to a socialistic form OF
government. He did not believe il
was practical, and there was no need
of it. He thought the present form OF
government was good enough.
When you get a government where
it is possible for a man who is born In
a log hut to become the president OF
the United States it is good enough fol-
me- said DR.. Turner. 81 don't believe
the socialists can offer us anything
better"
Another member of the club believed
that if the socialistic idea were carried
out there would be no incentive to am
bition or education, and Mr.. Brown
could not explain why there should be
During the rapid fire of questions and
challenges, which came as a great sur
prise to Mr.. Brown, he appealed tc
the chair, and said he did not believe
it was fair to expect him to answer
these quest ilons. He had come before
the club expecting to talk on the ques-
ton, but not to discuss it, and he was
profuse in his thanks to the chairman
for permitting him to resume his seat
and remain out Of a further discussion
of the subject
After the meeting Mr.. Brown, who
has been talking socialism for seyera,
years, admitted that he was surprised
to find young colored men so well post
ed on the question.
Il found them so well versed on the
subject, he SAID, that 1 had no foun-
dation left for my talk 1 had expected
to tell them what socialism meant"