Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1908-12-11
THE cRowTH
OF SOCIALISM.

Bryan's Commoner says that the re
turns SO far tabulated indicate that
tho growth of socialism has not been
as rapid during the last four years as
during the four years preceding. Sew
eraI causes have been given for this
retarded growth. First, some demo
Gratis who voted the socialist ticker
four years ago, voted the democratic
ticket this year. Second, President
Roosevelt has stimulated the reform
element in his party to hope for rem
edial legislation from the republican
party. Taft's nomination was herald
ed as a triumph Eos the progressives
and doubtless held within the republi
can party many who would have de
pserted It had the reactionzry element
selected the nominee. Third, the &C
tive support given by the labor lead
ers to the democratic ticket tended
to reduce to a minimum the social
list gains from the ranks of labor.
There were other reasons, but these
have been mentioned as among. the
more influential ones.
Now what is to be the future of so
cialism? The small vote cast by the
Independent party 20 turn men from
both of these parties to the socialist
party. The defeat of the democratic
/ ticket is likely to discourage some of
the democratic iaboring men and turn
them toward the socialist party. Some
of the democrats, rot laboring men,
may be weakened in faith and made
susceptible to the argument Of social
lists, but much depends upon the char
acter OF Taft's administration The
arguments presented in his behalf
were inconsisteEt-in the west he was
represented as a reformer ready to
put on the presidents mantle The
president constantly offered him to
the party as the only man to con
tinue," to complete and to 'clinch"
the reforms upon which he, the pres
ident, had entered. In the east Taft
was represented as a quiet and ami
able candidate who would restore
peace" in the business centers, and,
as Mr.. Rockefeller put it, avoid rash
experiments" in legislation. Tan can
not satisfy both sides. He may make
an attempt at reforms, but he is quite
sure to be thwarted by the standpat
element of his party, and his failure
to accomplish anything in the interest
of the people-if he fails will in
crease the socialist strength.
The socialist is an honest and earn
est man, but mistaken man. Seeing
abuses that ought 20 be corrected, he
seeks to oyerturn the entire industrial
system. That there is injustice in
the distribution of the rewards OF la
Dor, no one can deny, and starting
n q = - =
with this admitted >ihJnsttee, wish he
known abuses" which even Taft con-
cedes, the socialist makes them the
basis of his protest against indiFid-
ualism. The scientific socialist pre-
sents new system which he would
substitute for individualism. There is
no doubt that the theory of socialism
appeals to a sentiment and yet the
proposed system will not stand the
test of analysis or reason The so
cialist as much mistaken in seeking
to destroy competition as is the par
ent who fmagines that his child can
be- made stronger and better by re-
lieving him of the struggles that has
developed the father. In the careers of
the sons of the rich we find one of
the strongest arguments against the
elimination of competition. Children
fail in ambition, in energy and in both
physical and mental strength when
the spur of necessity is removed. This
is not always true, but it is the rule
rather than the exception in the
homes where great wealth has had
free hand
Aside from those who are drawn TO
socialism by sentimental arguments,
there are those who have embfttered
them against the present system
those who feel that the struggle is
hopeless under present conditions.
The republican party. by creating
abuses, by failing to remedy them and
by defending the principle and prac.
tees of private monopoly, has foster.
ed and encouraged socialism-not in.
ltenfioualIv. Int acfua1Iv The dern-.