Omaha daily bee., 1905-09-05
SOCIALIST DOCrRiNB ExPouNDED
n. McCaGrey and w. T. BiEEs speak
NJ Kr1r- park

~ McNauFey ana W. IT. hlHHA SPeHN
NJ Krar Park.
The socialists in their observance OF
Labor day were addressed at Krug park
by W. 7. Biggs OF Chicago and p. Nc
Caffrey OF Kensas city. formerly OF Omaha.
Several hundred people heard the program.
The latter's speech was marked by a
frenzied protest against the injustice OF
the new primary law, which he said was
aimed at the socialist party.
Mr.. Mccartney told Of past and present
political conditions and Of trades unionism
as remedy for existing political evils.
His first contention was that the ballot
is not an inalienable right, but conces-
sion from the class In power to those whom
they permit to think they have voice
in the government. a thing to be taken
away when the weaker class begins to ac-
quire too much power through 1t. He en-
deavored to show the development Of the
right OF franchise from the settlement OF
the country to the present time. He ex-
planned the redemptionary system, by
means OF which men and women werc
brought TO the colonies as bond slaves until
such time as they had worked out their
passage and other expenses. After they
were free, he said, they were kept from
voting by laws made by the ruling classes
retaliate if they had the power; and for
many years after the country was free
only a part Of the population could vote,
that part consisting of those persons who
owned so much land. George Washington
and Thomas Jefferson he condemned as
men who upheld such a system.
Every political organization or group
which was ever known has portrayed the
economic force behind It," said Mr.. Nc
Caffrey. There has been no political or
ganization which has not had an economic
! force behind II. Under conditions which
| have prevailed hitherto, the party which
has had the strongest economic power be-
hind 1t, has been the ruling party. wher
| the weaker classes have become toe
! strong politically, by means OF the ballot
that concession made to them by the
ruling classes, their privileges were taker
| away from them. They are trying to take
! it.away from us today. They are trying e
legislate the socialist party out of its
right OF franchise. What else does It NEAR
| If the courts uphold the primary law
We cannot get on the ticket. Capital notei
our growing strength and begins to take
measures to head us or. The economic
force Of labor is behind us today thC
economic force of great corporations be
hind the other parties. At present tbs
latter is the stronger.
TT is for labor to do away with the
present political system The strength o
| trades unionism is growing fast and
| socialistic principles are gaining ground
| I believe the time Is fast coming wher
labor will be the ruling economic factor
in political life and capital will be rele
gated to the background. 1t is then tina
the right system of things will be estab
lished, and for the first time the ballo
will not be a concession"
Mr.. Biggs saw in the working plans O.
capitalism forces for its own destruction
He said:
Capital has harried us with injunctions
with court decisions and lockouts. BY it,
very action it is arouslng the forces o
socialism from their lethargy and the,
are gaining strength to master the forces
| of government. The power of the capital
istic machine is bringing our hopes t
pass more than our propaganda Capita
owns and controls both the old parties roo
and branch, Our, congressman snd am
bassadors every one are corporation law
yers officers or stockholders Every bust
ness has its watchdog IN congress. Shonts
owned by the railroads, is sent to Panam,
to see that nothing is done on the canal
No law, national or state, can be passe,
affecting the interests of the great cor
porations unless they assent to 1t.
81 see in all these things the seeds o
the downfall OF capitalism. It's end is
commercial oligarchy TO control all produc
ton and all distribution for the benefi
OF the classes as against the masses w
are studying their system and beginninl
to understand; we will organize our force
along the lines on which they have organ
lied and the length to which they hav
carried their operations will be their down
fall through teaching us. Labor is a pri
mary economic factor and it is supreme
we but undertake to make 1t So"