Montana news. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-191?, 1908-05-14
WHY SOCIALISTS PAY DUES
ISSUED by the National Committee o
the Socialist Party.)

ISSUED by the National Committee Of
the Socialist Party.)
The Socialist Party, being a party
Of, by and for the wage. working class,
and those in sympathy with it, pro-
ceeds upon the theory that the work
ers as a class, must emancipate them
selves from wageslavery, and must
consequently develop their own ca
pacity for this great purpose.
Hence, while welcoming all assist
ance from individuals of other classes
who are in sympathy with its objects
and aims, the Socialist Party relies,
first, last and all the time, on the
working class for its support politically
and otherwise. Not being a paternal
organization, the means for the party s
maintenance must come almost wholly
from the members Of the organization.
Experience having demonstrated that
the party cannot trust to luck in the
conduct of its affairs, nor rely upon
haphazard donations for its revenues,
it has established the dues.paying sys-
TEN, which is in vogue in the party
throughout the world.
Objections to the Dues-Paying System.
There are those who object to the
dues-paying system in our party on the
following grounds:
l. 1t humiliates impoverished men,
bers and applicants for membership.
2. at places the dollar above the
man."
3. No other party has such sys-
TEN.
Objections Answered.
The first reason is strictly Utopian.
Poverty is no disgrace" but is the
logical result of the competitive sys-
TEN. This being so, it is foreign TO
the spirit of our movement for mem
bers OF applicants to feel "humiliated"
because they cannot pay dues.
Our dues system exacts payments
from those who are able to pay, and all
others are excused. A false feeling of
shame shows a capitalistic state Of
mind, which must be overcome.
The second reason is also entirely er-
roneous. Nowhere in the world does
our party exclude applicants or expel
members because of their inability to
pay dues. Hence the party does not
"place the dollar above the man.
We emphasize the fact that all are
welcome to our ranks, regardless Of
their financial condition, but very
properly insist that all who can do so
shall contribute regularly to the neces-
sary and unavoidable expenses Of the
organization.
The third reason only shows the diff.
ference in methods between political
parties of capitalism and the Socialist
Party as revolutionary organization
Of the working class. Certainly the
cold parties" have no dues paying
system; in fact, they need none, as the
corruption funds "for value received" T"
are ample to support them at all times,
especially during campaigns. The old
parties are paternal organizations, and
their support comes from above, from
the trust magnates, the silver barons,
OF the '"business men" who live on
labor's fleece. The Socialist Party,
on the contrary, relies upon its mem
bership at all times for support to
fight the capitalist class, not only on
election day, but every other day in
the year; and also to strengthen its
propaganda and political organization.
This means expense, and, 10 raise the
funds in systematic way-a dues.
paying system.
The enemy can not be expected TO
furnish our ammunition in this great
class conflict. The workers must fur
nish their own "sinews Of war"
| Socialists who have evolved through
the old parties can not appreciate this
position at first, but little reflection
win show its reason and its merits.
Principle Of Dues-Paying System.
The following propositions will IL
lustrate the reason for a dues.paying
system:
1. The Socialist Party may be
called the family of the working class,
3. A family, in order to live (under
the competitive system), must have
financial support.
3. The family necessarily relies upon
its members for support.
4. 1t is the plain duty Of all able.