Montana news. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-191?, 1909-02-11
What Socialism Is and What 1t
Will Accomplish
(By c. F. Digit NJ. d., University Of
Minnesota)

shall, therefore, state briefly what it is
and what 1t will accomplish that the
readers may know the right or wrong
of the Socialist movement, which has
become third in the country in the
number OF votes cast, and much
stronger in other countries.
Socialism is a world wide movement
OF the working class and its sympa-
thizers to have the products of labor
go to those who produce htem; In
other words, to secure for the pro-
ducers of wealth the wealth which
they produce, that they may be better
housed, better fed, better educated
and live a longer and better life.
The worlds headquarters OF the So
cialist movement is in Brussels. The
American headquarters is in Chicago.
The international party is about s.
100000 strong in actual votes cast and
is growing amazingly.
Broadly 1t urges: First-That the
means of production and distribution
of wealth that are social and public
in their nature shall be owned col
lectively. This includes the great
wealth OF raw material in the earth
oil, coal, iron-which the Almighty
created for all men alike. and machin-
cry for its elaboration and distribution
which machinery the workers have
made but do not own.
Second-That all social utilities, be-
ing collectively owned. shall be demo-
cratically managed for the benefit OF
all who work, and that profit making.
whereby one person exploits another,
shall be abolished.
Third-That all who can labor shall
be given opportunity to labor in the
collectively owned industries. and
when Socialism is fulI-nedged, shall
receive. directly and indirectly. the
full product or equivalent of their
toll, and until then a wage just as
near the selling value of their product
as is possible.
Fourth-That those who can, but
will not labor. though they may,
should there be such under Socialism.
shall receive according TO what they
produce-nothing IL they produce
nothing.
Fifth-That each person may own
privately as much non-productive
property as he or she can earn by an
honest labor of hand or brain. This
would include your home. your library
or automobile. yatch and all other
private personal effects not used for
exploiting purposes.
Sixth-That child labor in gainful
occupations and productive industry
shall be abolished. Juvenile education
made universal. and that the old and
worthy dependents shall have their
interests protected and needs supplied.
Seventh-That the government shall
be brought near to the people through
the initiative. the referendum and the
right Of recall. BY the initiative is
meant the right OF the people to them
selves directly propose laws and by
majority vote to make laws that shall
govern them. The referendum re-
quires that laws made by our legisla-
tors shall. before they become effec-
tive. be approved by a majority vote
Of the people. The right Of recall is
the power which the people should
have Immediately to recall from Office
an offending official when the ma
jority Of the people by vote desire IL.
Socialist believe that Socialism. by
abolishing the profit-making system In
business, and by establishing the CO.
operative commonwealth. will remove
more than anything else proposed, the
motive as well as the opportunity for
political corruption and economic
wrongs, and without destroying indi-
vidual liberty or the incentive to any
worthy effort.
Socialism is not anarchy. II is as
different from anarchy as is light from
darkness or good from evil
1. The Encyclopedia Brittaica says:
The ethics OF Socialism are closely
akin to the ethics OF Christianity. IL
not Identical with them"
2. Prof. II. p. Ely says: 1T is ap-
piled Christianity-the golden rult ap-
piled TO everyday life"
3. F.. q. Peabody, professor OF
Christian morals In Harvard univer-
sity. says: Jesus was a Socialist, IL
judged by His teachings"
4. Emile de Laveleye says: Every
Christian who understands and who
earnestly accepts the teachings of his
Master. Is at heart n Socialist"
8. DR. Lyman Abbott. while not
Socialist says: The tendency OF the
times is towards Socialism; nothing
can prevent II, and nothing should
prevent It."
6. Father william Barry says: Let