The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1908-02-28
Consistent Socialism.


pie marry IL the time to consider II
they think alike"
ION what?"
"Well, I'm interested In woman tax
Ing a better stand than she has taken.
want my vote with you men,"
I'm perfectly willing that you
should have It,"
But supposing we differ politically"
"What are your political opinions"
II incline to socialism, municipal
ownership and all that. You don't.
You're on the other side"
"But I'm ready to be converted.
don't know that understand the prin-
ciples Of socialism. Suppose you ex-
plain them to me-"
"Why, it's very simple. We all need
those things that are purchased by
money-bread, meat, fish, coffee. Some
are farmers, some nshermen"-
'T'm a fisherman. I'm trying to hook
you"
Don't be silly. That's the trouble
with women undertaking to talk seri-
ously with you men. We barely get
started when you snub us with a bad
pun or something"
"Well, go on"
1--WE also want clothes, houses and
thousand things that are not food"
"Such as kisses"
She looked very much hurt. "How
provoking to be treated like ninny!"
KISSES are one Of the things we
want"
"But they're not one Of the essen
tials"
Il think they are"
"How would 1t do" he added, meas
uring his words thoughtfully, ito ap.
ply that principle to matrimoDyT
"What do you meanT'
"Why, pool all the men and all the
women. When a man wants a wife
she n furnished from the pool, and
vice versa"
"How sillyv'
"I'msreasoning from analogy"
"There's nothing In your absurdity
analogous to socialism. In socialism
one needing bread gets bread. In the
other case one needs companion, and
] all are not equally companionable."
| "That's just 1t. II they don't suit
they go back into the pool"
II supposed you wished to talk seri-
ously," she said. turning away, with a
trifle Of hauteur. Suppose we talk OF
something else"
"Ill let you do the talking. Proceed
with your explanation"
ut may be illustrated by matrimony
The husband works for the money to
buy the requirements, while the wife
takes care of the children"
II thought you said she attended t.
her political obligations"
"She does that too"
"And the man attends 10 his political
obligations"
"Of course"
"That's not economic. You said tina
one person planted, another wove, an
other built. Where's the economy o
both husband and wife attending t,
the political duties Of the family"
She looked at him, troubled, reproach
ful. That's very unk1nd Of you,' sh
said.
| Al Wnut AcSpcCtt
"Why. in You've turned my Illus
tratiOn against me-"
Forgive me. I won't do 1t again."
II don't think want to explain an
more"
Il fancy I understand your position
somewhat distorted the socialist
family relation. The true relation |
! this: Two people Of opposite sex d,
sire companionship. They marry. Now
what do they need7 Food, clothe.
habitation. More than this. They nee
endearment. That's where kisses com
r in."
n He paused and stole an arm abou
her waist, looking wistfully into he
: eyes.
Il said kisses were not one Of the s,
cialistic essentials" she said, IAN
they're not--at least not of matr
= mony, for they may be taken befol
: matrimony."
d II said they were essentials in a gel
i eral socialistic scheme, and they ar
: In a matrimonial pool such as "
i spoke Of kissing would be promise,
Q GUS"
!, "And your argument h?
n THE reductio ad absurdum."
4 She didn't like to admit that 81
didn't know what that meant, SO 81
said nothing
. Ergo" he continued. I'VE two desi
. Ing the true socialistic state. the kiss
: fully legitimatizsd. can only obtain
= by Sweetheart. say Yes Wor
= you? You've kept me in an agony
< suspense for two whole days"
. Must to be enthusiastically consis
I ent leave the political duties to you 2
: They should be attended to by OF
= of us. You might leave them to n
: and take a corresponding duty in pla
= Of them.'
X What. for instance?
!, Choose for yourself"
6 DO amusements come into 4
scheme as well as kisses?"
Certainly"
d well, then, II you don't mind l thll
: I'll so to the opera"
= The bargain was sealed with a voll,
q Of one Of the socialistic requirements
!. Presently she released herself. 81
II had something important to say.
q "Dearie, your argument, the what ,