The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-10-18

of Socialism which are declared by
Socialists TO be among the most val
liable literature in support of the
cause. His address was an earnest,
straightforward appeal which made a
good impression on the audience
Mr.. Spargo said in part that Soci-
llism was not the doctrine of only. a
few people in this country but was
the party of ten million voters
throughout the whole civilized world,
representing forty million people. IN
Germany the Socialist is among the
leading parties which are struggling
for industrial freedom; in france
hey hold the balance of power over
church and state; while in England
their representatives are among the
leading men in Parliament. Social
ism. he declared, did not mean the
eoual division of the country's wealth
but only a more just division than at
present. The working man should
receive the full income of his work
and no part should be reserved for
captalists. Socialism would not DO
away viii private property but on me
other hand would seek a more equal
distribution OF private property.
The aim of Socialism Mr.. Spargo
declared. is to give everyone an equal
chance If all the wealth of the
country were evenly divided it would
not remain so long on account OF the
very nature of man. Some people
are money spenders while others
have a capacity for saving money.
Like Mr.. Lunn he said that he earn
estly believed that the only solution
of the present day evils in the indus
trial system was Socialism. No work
ing man in the audience he declared,
could give a logical reason why he
voted the Republican ticket because
that party most of all did not repres-
ent his~ interests. The Democratic
and so called Independent parties he
classed in the same position and de-
clared that the Socialist party was
the only one which really had the up
lifting of the masses of common peo-
ple at heart. BY voting any other
ticket they were simply voting
against their own interests and re-
tarding the progress of a covenant
which would prove a solution OF all
economic problems. Socialism would
establish a system whereby every
working man would receive all the
profits of his labor while at present
over fifty per cent of the profits or
labor go to capitalists and would 40
little or nothing to produce it.
Mrs. Rose Pastor Stokes was the
last speaker of the evening and was
Introduced by Miss Sanford as one
who had given all her talent and the
best that was in her for the cause OF
Socialism BY relating the story or
her visit to coal mine in Pottsvilie,
Pa, she explained the reason why in
her opinion capital should not re-
ceive profit at the expense OF labor.
AS an example she stated that the
fowner of the mine visited 1t only oc
| casionally. really working but abou
six days year in its interest, New
| ertbeless she declared that the CAPT
| ,alist or owner received over half Of
| the net profits. Since labor creates
| wealth why she asked, should capita
| receive so great an income? In The
| course OF her speech she declared
| that the mules of the mine were bet
ter treated than the men because the
company OWnSu inc AulSS az" N""'N
afford to lose them, while more men
could be had any time. The lot of the
chattel slave was better than the av
erage workingman of today because
the slave was sure of a means of liv
lihood and care when sick.
After the last address the meeting
adjourned to the Y. NJ. C. A. gymnas-
ium where anyone wishing to ask
questions regarding Socialism were
free to do so. The Bennington band
was in attendance at the mass meet
ing. The grand stand was well light
ed and partially enclosed with can
vas. Pamphlets on Socialism were
given away at the close of the meet
ing and books on the subject sold at
the gate.