The Topeka state journal., 1908-04-03

| our country is involved in a serious
| financial and industrial crisis; factories
| are closed; industries are paralyZed: !:
| mines are shut down and thousands of
l willing workers are forced into a con-
| dition Of unemployment with it's con-
/ seQuent poverty and need. We further
| call attention to the fact that the pre-
vailing conditions are direct result
| of the capitalist system in which the
means Of wealth production are owned
| and controlled by the few to exploit
| the many. We also state with emphasis
| thai the present system of exploitation
| is being prolonged and its robbery and
wrong extended by the old parties, both
| of which have proven themselves will
| ing tools of the exploiting class and
| manifest their utter inefficiency to
meet the crisis now confronting the ma
ton.
I'm the light of the above facts we
| make the following demands and de-
clare the following principles:
Ffrst-We demand the collective
ownership of all those means of pro-
duction and distribution, which if pri-
vately owned would give power to ex-
ploit, to the end that the workers shall
come into the full product of their toll
'Second-The Democratic manage
ment of such collective industries and
utilities.
"Third-The most effective weapon
with which the working class can sue
cessfully oppose the capitalist class is
the ballot.
"Fourth-The Socialist party when in
office shall always and everywhere un-
til this present system of wage slavery
is utterly abolished, make the answer
to this question it's guiding rule of
conduct: Will this legislation advance
the interests of the working class and
the workers in their class struggle
against capitalism? If it does, the So
, ri a CT no rfu jc IF If does not
the Socialist party is absolutely op-
posed to it.
"Fifth-In accordance with this prin-
ciple, the Socialist party pledges itself
to conduct all the public affairs of the
state In such a manner as to promote
the interests of the working class.
''Sixth-Equal political and civil
rights for both men and women.
"Seventh-Therefore. we appeal to all
workers, whether of shop, mine, office
or farm, to study the principles of So
cialsm, to vote with their class at all
elections until they overthrow the
power of capitalism, abolish Industrial
classes in society, and inaugurate the
cooperative commonwealth based on
the fundamental principles of justice.
guarded by direct legislation; to all
workers the full social product of their
TOLL
Selecting a State Ticket.
This afternoon the Socialists are Sc
lecting their candidates for state Of
fees. They do not formally nominate
them today. because that must be done
at the primary election, but they de-
eide today whom they want on the pri-
mary ballot, and the rest is mere for
mality.
The Socialists have been shy about
doing any preliminary slate making.
There isn't enough demand for the
Offices to stir up any competition. AS
has been stated, there was consider
able sentiment for Fred D. Warren of
Girard for governor, but It is said that
Warren will not consent to run. Other
candidates talked of are D. E. CrossIey
of Clay Center, George D. Brewer Of
Girard, George Hibner OF Concordia,
and H. M. Elliott Of Goodland.
Ludwig E. Katterfelt, who represent
ed Washburn college in the recent state
oratorical contest held at Salina, will
be given a place on the state ticket if
he will accept it. He is a prominent
delegate at the convention.
The convention will also elect five
delegates to the Socialist national con-
vention.
candidate for United States SEN
ator will be selected. There are four
F. Willetts of McLouth, in the First
district; S. M. Stallard of Fort Scott
in the Second district, B. r. Wilson of
Girard in the Third, and L. c. Brown
of Arlington in the Seventh. A can
didate will be nominated in each dis
trict.
The socialists will have no trouble
in getting on the primary ballot. The
party cast 1900 votes at the election
two years ago, and 5000 at the presi-
Dental election. Only 5000 is neces-
sary to get a place on the ballot.
Thursdays session was devoted en-
tirely to appointing committees, MAX
ing speeches and doing preliminary
work.
This morning the committees on con-
stitution and on platform reported.
The platform is brief, but the revision
of the constitution required a lot Of
work.
The constitution committee is COM
posed of J. E. Snyder, A. q. Brown, J.
F. Willetts, H. M. Elliott and Mrs. L.
j. Tubbs.
The committee on platform is COM
er B. F. Wilson, J. F. Cook, w. J. Nc
MILAN. L. E. Katterfelt and Geo. F.
Hibner.
A telegram from Chicago conveying
the greeting of ]. Mahlon Barnes, ma
tional secretary, was read to the con-
vention Thursday afternoon. Mr..
What's the matter with Kansas and
the world? The answer is it needs
Socialism. BY all the rules of the game
the working class should rule"
Wflletts for Congress.
The First district socialists held a
meeting late Thursday afternoon, and
decided that they will support J. F.
Willetts, formerly Populist candidate
for governor. for congress. Mr.. Will
let's lives at McLouth, and has af-
filiated with the socialist party for
several years. The friends of Willetts
claim that he was elected governor,
and then counted out by the Repub-
licans.
Frank Curry of Topeka was chosen
for permanent district secretary of
the First district, and it was decided
to raise money and hire a socialist
organizer to work in the First district
from now until election