Montana news. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-191?, 1905-04-12
The Chicago
Campaign

iously watching the returns on
Tuesday night; when Mr.. Harlan
and Judge Dunno are closeted
with their personal friends, read
ing the advance bulletins and
analyzing the vote, the Socialists
will not be concerned with
thoughts of Office holding nor the
cabinet of the mayor-elect. Their
discussion will be confined to one
proposition Does the result show
gain in ballots sufficient to war
rant the prophecy that the coun-
try is closer to the time for the
acceptance of the economic de-
termination?"
John Collins, Socialist candi-
date for mayor, says that the
question will be answered in the
affirmative. He believes that fully
$4,000 electors will declare for
the principles of Socialism, and
then, having finished his work as
a mayoral candidate, he will
start right out to spread the prop
aganda in the state and nation.
John Collins mayoral candi-
dacy is unique. He is the only
candidate receiving wages and
expenses as such. Last fall he
was a candidate for the governor
ship of Illinois, and he was cam
didate for public office before
that. But this does not mean
that John Collins is a perennial
seeker after office. He is not. He
is merely standing for an idea
and his candidacy is simply an
incident. As a leader. as an or
ganizer, in the ranks, on the
firing line, drumming up the re-
servists or enlisting recruits, it is
all the same to him so long as he
helps to bring closer the time of
economic determination y
The true Socialist believes that
the laborer is worthy of his hire,
whether his task be running for
mayor, President or working at
the bench. John Collins is ma
chinist by trade-a frst-class ma
chinist-and S. a day is a small
wage for him, but he is making
the Canvass for mayor at Sis a
week and car fare. He has no
passes and he cannot afford car
riage or automobile, because at
$40 Huron street is Mrs. Collins
with the children, and SIS week
is none too much for the support
of growing family.
During the presidential cam
paign Eugene V. Debs and Ben
Hanford, who headed the Social
ist ticket, were paid So day each
and expenses, but in the present
mayoral contest il was determin-
ed that SIS a week for three
weeks was as much as the party
treasury could afford, and so that
is John Collins allowance sum
away below that paid many a
Democratic and Republican spell
binder, who, in addition, is
buoyed by a hope that in the
event of party success job may
be provided where the hours are
short, the work light and the pay
comfortable.
| At the Socialist headquarters
the atmosphere is fresher than
that breathed at the gathering
places of the dominant parties
Profanity, ribald jesting, loud.
mouthed offers to bet, pleas fol-
money, are unknown. Swagger.
ing political heelers are not ir
evidence and the campaign man.
ager conducts his business with
the precision and bearing of a
man conducting business not
political.
Charles l.. Breckon, secretary
OF the county organization anC
intrusted with the management
of the city campaign, is the direct
ing spirit. A printer by trade, I
Methodist minister by profession
he finds time to give everyone ;
hearing, plan the assignment o
speakers, arrange for the distribu
ton of literature, decide upon tn,
places and dates for meetings anC
keep the accounts of the party
, He looks every man in the eye
speaks in a low voice, shake
hands firmly and says "comrade
when addressing a brother So
cialist.
And all day long and far int,
the night-for the majority o
the comrades cannot leave thei
, work long enough to visit head
quarters by dav-Darty worker