The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-26
Advice to Those Whom lie Calls
ParlOr Socialists
By Mayor Sherburn II. Becker
of Milwaukee.
REFERS TO PATTERSON
Says Wealthy Young Men Are
Needed in Politics.
Can Do More Good With Head
Than With Hands.

Peoria. IN. July 26.-'I am not in
sympathy with what the press has
been pleased to call 'parlor socialism,
nor any other kind Of socialism which
contemplates the utter overthrow OF
our present form of government. 1
believe that this young man, Joseph
Medill Patterson, means WELL that he
is honest and sincere. but that he is
not the kind of man who makes a sue
cess Of farming
In this manner Mayor Sherburn M.
Becker of Milwaukee. the youngest
mayor of a metropolitan city In the
United States, paid his respects to the
young Chicago man who a few months
ago declared himself a socialist. Mr..
Becker made his first appearance in
the role of lecturer before an audience
which filled Al Fresco park, the oc-
easion being the benefit for St.
Stephens parish.
About week ago Mr.. Patterson i'm
vaded Mr.. Becker's city of Milwaukee
and took occasion, among other things.
to declare that he had never done any
work in his life, and, having repented.
had decided to be a farmer Mr.. Pat
terson's views. on socialism apparently
Mr.. Becker has also been accused of
never having done any work in his life,
but has made a success of practical
politics, having put down and out
Mayor David 5. Rose, who was sup
posed to have AZ monopoly on the
mayoralty chair Of the Wisconsin city.
Mr.. Becker chose for his topic. The
Young Man in Politics." and his re-
marks were delivered straight from
the shoulder.
Theorists Talk of Revolutions.
There is great room for reform, and
we are growing better every day con-
tinued Mr.. Becker. Let US not be led
astray by the more or less attractive
pleadlngS of theorists who talk of rev.
olutions. These things come to US prin-
cipally through the agency of men who
have made q failure of life in some
country other than our own and who
would be dissatisfied. believe, no mat
ter what the conditions might be.
The idle rich young man. with pro-
per training. has great opportunities in
all the honora BILE professions-the
church, medicine, the law. the neWspa-
per Office, literature, art. If he will
identity himself with any one of these
he viii be producing something. and
Will be WOrkingman in every sense
that the word implies. The man who
shoVels in the street or plows in the
field is not the only producer and he is
not the only man who tolls. I could tell
you, were I not-too modest, of at least
one mayor who works hard. and who is
known to have labored far into the
night for days and weeks. that he might
TT himself for the laborious duties Of
his office.
"A few weeks ago there came to Mil
waukee a young parlOr socialist who
informed his hearers in a public adj
dress that he had been idle for years.
that he produced nothing. and that he
had no object in life except to spend
the money earned by labor. and which
did not rightfully belong to him. When
I read his address in paper I felt like
saying to him. Go to work You have
the ability and you are needed-stop
talking and do something. Get out of
the parlors of the rich, if you think you
belong somewhere else And it struck
me that desk in a bank or a news
paper Office would be a good place for
him. Now I am informed that he is to
take course IN agriculture and raise
cabbages and turnips
Suggests Pen Instead of Farm.
Mr.. Patterson has, I understand, the
advantages of a college education and
the good breeding that goes with it He
was trained in the school of Journalism
and is an able correspondent and re-
porter. Then why should he go to the |
farm to milk cows or SOW grain? Why |
cannot he do good in the world with his /
pen? He can produce something with /
that as well as others can produce /
something with the pillow or the corn
S-e1AAlCA- A00t HE PIODaDAy lHldSlA10S tHd-
he must do manual labor. and toll with 4
calloused hands. He is mistaken
We need intelligent young men in in
tellectual pursuits to help guide us IN
the right direction. We need brains as
we'll as muscle, and we must have them.
It is within the power of the rich young I
man to do his country great service
He is not handicapped with poverty and.
therefore, tempted to be a CRATER while
IN office. His ambition is not to make
money, but to make a name for himself
Frequently when young men are can
1idates for public office opponents attack
them on account of their youth. This
was my experience last spring when
ran for mayor. 1t was my experience
two years ago when 7 ran for alderman
and it was my experience five years ago
when I ran for county supervisor, but I /
was elected every time by good, COM
fort BILE ma iQr{fies :,