Durango semi-weekly herald., 1907-03-04
BARNEY HAUGAEY ON
SOCIALISM IN DURANGO.

Those separate and distinct politi.
cal Organizations are preparing to put
tickets In the held this spring, and
A. this will allow ample scope for
the exercise OF Judgment, the voters
OF durango ought to be congratulated
as this fair prospect does
NOT open before the voters every
where. In some places the men who
control the political organizations
dicksr and trade with one another until
they get the names Of the same men
on all the tickets, and thus deprive
the voters Of any choice Of candidates.
Sometimes they even take pains to OBJ
scure the questions at Issue between
the parties so the voters cannot vote in
teiligently on the measure or policies
which are suppose to stand back OF
the men.
Fortunately, these conditions do mol
exist in Durango. Az near as man
ON the street can learn the two old
parties are squarely divided on the
saloon question, and the socialists, ig-
noring that issue, are still hammer
Ing away on the old question Of How
to get for the producer an equivalent
for what he produces" There Is no
prospect OF any fusion between the
parties. and the only thing that may
obscure the questions at issue between
them, is the claim which they all make
that they stand for good government
This may AFFORD pretext for the laz,
and Indifferent voters to stay away
from the polls. For they will have a
chance to say that since all parties
alike promise that II they are en-
trusted with the government of the
city. they Will put only such restraints
on the freedom OF each person a..
may be necessary to secure the like
liberty OF all; and as there Is no
means for judging of the relative sin
cerity Of these professions 1t can make
no difference to them which side wins.
As rule 80 per cent OF the voters
give this or some similar reason fol
their failure to take part In municipal
election; and of the 70 per cent who
do vote 1t 10 safe to say that mol
more than half OF them take any pai
In nominating candidates.
This has been the rule heretofore,
but this spring the Indications are
that full vote will be polled; and
that the voters will take more than
usual care In selecting candidates.
The republicans say they are de-
termined to stop gambling, to close
the saloons promptly at midnight and
on Sundays; and they even propose to
lessen the number of saloons by i'm.
posing higher license fee on them.
And they say they will put men in
the neld who can be releid upon tc
carry out this policy. The democrats
on the other hand are supposed to
favor an open town, as far as the state
law and the apthy of its supporters
Will permit 1t. They are not likely
to say this In their platform, but their
openents say their purpose will be re.
vesled by the character OF their can.
didatss.
The socialists think the question q,
issue between the old parties is one
In which the wage Garner will take
but little interest, 30 they intend
put ticket In the field with the names
OF none but wage workers on 1t. Mos,
OF the candidates on the other tickets
VIII be men who employ others with
the view OF making a profit on their
iabor; but the socialists say their can
didates will all be men who can gel
access to the tools and materials o,
production only through the compeu
tive wage system. This they think
VIII add variety to the election II II
does nothing else. But they are not
altogether without hopes OF winning
at least few of the offices. They
ngure that since their vote in the
state jumped from 1900 to 10000 In
me last two years. the 1873 votes they
got In the city last fall might increase
In like proportion. Besides they have
not failed to notice the singular con
ditions now prevailing here. In most
places the privileged classes stand to
gether. but here they seem to be fight
ing each other. II the smelter and the
sAioonkeepers were supporting the
same ticket there wouldn't be much
hope for the socialists or anyone else ;
but with the enemy divided they think
their chances look good.
BARNEY HAUGHEY.