New-York tribune., 1906-07-13
STOKES A SOCIALIST.
Wealthy East Side Worber IN
no1nnces Change of Politics.

j. @. Phelps Stokes, who for several years has
uesolsa himself 70 work in the s.ums OF this city.
mas formally announced that he win cast his lot
win the Socialist party. Tho announcement was
made an letter TO the executive committee OF the
Independence League which made public yes
pefaay. Mr. Stokes was q candidate f0F Borough
PRESIDENT on the leagues ticket at the last
nieipal election which was headed by William r.
Hearst for Mayor
1he letter withdrawing from membership in the
isagNe ana announcing his intention to offer his
services 70 the Socialist party Is dated from M
district.
In the letter he declares that while he regards
capital as necessary at present 70 the public well
faTe ne considers tt so harmful when used selashly
tnat is complete control by the people collectively
Is essential lie says also that he is aware that
the majority OF those who uphold the present sys-
tenn do so on the assumption that il Is a fair ana
just It is his belize, however as EXPRESSED
IN the letter. that the so-clled capitalist system
as such, is indefensible ehcaIy and disastrous IN
dustriallys through the inescapab.s wage slavery
70 which il leads. and that st must ba supplanted
by a more righteous system oe cooperation and
mutual aid.
The letter in full follows;
L Is with much appreciation OF the value OF the
also o. the privilege which has been mine of par
Sste ~ u saaT G woF thas write az this early
operate with you in next autumn's campaign.
aggrste Throughout OUR State "' 70 seGUGs SSs maze maze
RoS RoSence 2 9T ctizeGs from the rule OF monopoes,
toward true Democracy. and that the Independence
ne h IS rensfns RSgc service o4 S5 sas ipog
f5oeranes me OF fraud dishonesty and subveFsOn Of
! feel; however that the time has come when j.
as an y iaclydual can be Of most service in the
may with those who are devotfng themselves al
Of what they ana believe 70 bs more bssie sv
S11n tnose which you and have been attacking
have long been believer IN the philosophy Of
operatng with the Socialist party. owing to the IN
tense bitterness and illwiI manifested by many
and and support the caPitalist system. and owing to
and otherwise OF yerS Ts11 ocisIisf, Pa1l
song EeefSsnzed that material welfare alone g N
Sy n SO faF ss they are means g ne and 70 the
failed to see that the bftteTnsss and iiIwiu "a
rsFreS 70 were in no way chargeabe e the social
extortion ana oppression, habitualiy practissd 81
h las ra&S2 2Gpe9claTles @ or the capitalist system
SSenSe 70 convince me that tt is and for long has
such material things as are necessary for his vel
og Sa a5vaneeenf G % and this y consequences
" WnS take Tor their own enjoyment large portion
I have been long in percelving clearly that there
are Two enief economic classes In America as else
duee more than they require for their own nainten-
troll and consume more than they produce
and more than they render. prOpOrtonate SER
@ fermer class IS Invariably less than the value
come Of the latter class is greatly in excess of
the value Of its product and bears pr0portionats
I have learned but gradually the iniustice q the
situation which confrOnts the average worker.
Of thousands suffer privatton ana want, although
surrounded by prosperity and plenty. and their
and OF the machinery Of production BY the few
the land and maeShss Being dsais cam sss Ss
workers viii produce enough not merely for their
own support, but for the maintenance OF the idle
sSd luxurious as We'll This is 70 my mind great
Personally can no longer refrain from making
Incidentally have Observed that under our pres
ent industrial system paupertsm prevails as widely
one Who through disablty Or sineatioR fs
sefsupPoEt by useful service IS supported at tho
I would not have il thought that disapprove Of
saw a. 0rassSt SS ~ S 5ssa[o espta as neces-
harmful, when used selhshly, that its conplete coS
know how dificuIt It is to arouse recoenitto7 os
the practicablty Of such collective oWnership
among persons who derive dement's from the pressns
system, and especially among such as labor ex-
cusivsly for personal profit. who spend in fdie-
aware that the majority OF those who UpbOid me |
present system, do in the belief or in the asslr1
believe that can aid many E' 10 sea thar .csD-
taism Gas distinguished from the collective own
harmful and that its cost in needless human suffer
lS ts t5 stupenoons believe also that aid In
the needs Of humanity. - At~SAAs
Dartv teg Ftsr oneT9s my services to the Socialist
lent citizen, shall strive 70 promote rseosT}tia1
capitalist system "a sIcb 3esye rs taaT fhs so-eallsd
1no disastrous industrialy through the inesca
wage slavery to which It leads and thaf A. T1IIsg
operation and mutual aid. ' O1 CO.
assumed toward the undergraduates ieaISa Wiiea %
so-operated with you in it's Organization FS- a
az my opportunities for largest serves 1besGs bs
bTo,ib @ it ZOE st1l larger service