The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-12-21
VIEW ON SOCIALISM
A Labornsmans View Of Socialism Written
For The Dawn Last Week.

EDITOR THE DAwN:-I have beer
reading some of the socialist theories
advanced by G.. a. Scott, but instead OF
being convinced, his arguments work
the wrong way with me
The more socialist literature | read
and the more talk with socialists, the
more am inclined to regard it as the
opposite to advancement. Their theo-
res seem utterly unfeasible and un'
practicable to me, although | have
tried to be unbiased and am not pref L.
diced in.the matter.
| AS common laborer myself, | have
no reason to be prejudiced. In the
first place, it is hard for the average
property owner or farmer, although
farming on a small scale, to readily fall
in with theory that hints OF confisca-
ton of property, or interiors with his
individual rights as 20 owning, working,
managing his property and enjoying
the fruits of his labor. II he must be
cramped at all, he would prefer to have
less money and more individual rights.
He would rather be his own Judge as 10
his physical capabilities He could not
take the interest and the pleasure and
satisfaction if compelled to live on gov
eminent property and give his ener-
gies to the government, although his
pay might be much more than he could
make on his own farm. He would not
enjoy being com PEELED to work or live
on charity or starve. He had rather
consult his own feelings as to his work.
ing abilities, for who 10 going to be
wise enough to decide who are physic-
ally capable and who are unit for
labor? There are many aches and
pains and disorders that are hidden
from the eyes of even socialistic inspec-
tons and that cannot be discovered by
the expert physician who would have
the right to say: You seem able to
work and must do so or.starve." Or on
the other hand, could Il mans avowel
of his inability to work, be questioned
if be was disposed to be fed off from the
labor of others?
The old theory of work for the com
mon good-has been tried to finish IN
the early settlement of Virginia. The
people were compelled to give their
time and laber for common fund and
in return received their food and
clothes. History tells rs how the sys-
TEN prospered. The lazy maa Jared
equally with the naturally industrious
one, and there was 40 stimulus for more
than than miserable existence; but
when they wore given few acres o
ground for their own, then their smbi-
ton and pride were kindled, and new
era of prosperity ensued.
In the present time, I think NO have
all noticed how much more interested
the boys become whom given their own
plot Of ground to manage for them
selves. Many so-callsd worthless
boy. made so By continually absorbing
the profits from his labor, for the uses
of the family at large, is transformed
as it were from a mere uaauimated
helper to an active worker when given
a chance to use his natural powers, OF
independence, responsibility, achieve
ment, that are called out by individual
ownership which is the nucleus OF
ambition.
have often wondered if the small
farmer would be compelled to surren-
der up his home to the government.
And | believe that this is one OF the
first questions asked by the non be-
levers in socialism.
Mr.. Scott in answering this custom
! says that the farmer will be led to sur
render his farm to the government be-
cause he cannot afford to compete with
the government and after few year.
trial will surrender his farm without
compulsion. In other words, it will
not be abrupt contiscation Of property
but a slow freeze out. And woe to the
big sharks that have justly or unjustly
earned the name of capitalist, Theil
industries will pass into the hands Of
the government by force, If necessary,
and as money is not to be used, theil
savings will be OF no further use &c
then.
Then there will be wailing among