Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1910-01-27
THE WORKING CLASS IN ITALY
IMPROVING THEIR CONDITIONS
McMechen, W. Va.

Editor Majority: Several years
ago while touring Europe, / visited
Italy, spent some pleasant time at
Genoa, the city that claims to be the
home of Christopher Columbus, the
discoverer of this continent. Il was
told by the people there, that he
was born in little village about IA
miles from Genoa.) l was at Mes
sina, where the recent earthquake
occurred, also at Lamonia 1--WE call
it Leghorn) where the celebrated
hats come from. l had view at the
leaning tower of Pisa and had
jolly time at Venice, the city on the
waters, also Naples and the ruins of
Pompei and several other beautiful
places. One writer made the re-
mark that England and Italy are
the best countries in the world to
live in, for said he, man is at
his best in England and God is at
His best in Italy" Whether correct
or not, let those who have the ex-
perience decide.
One thing impressed me very much
was the mean way they treated the
workingmen in Italy as well as in
Germany, Hungary, Egypt, etc. The
Switzerland workers were treated
more humane. Am glad to under
stand that conditions are improving
there, and the creators of all mate
rial wealth are waking up and de-
handing their rights-or at. least a
portion of them. The Bible says
that 'asi drink of cold water to a
thirsty soul, SO is good news from
lar country" 1t was exceedingly glad
while reading the following letter
from Florence, Italy:
Florence has been the cradle of
much Italian liberty centuries before
liberty was popular in the world.
Florence for centuries fought the
grants and has conquered them for
he most part, and as nearly as one
can tell on the surface, is reaping the
'eward of her centuries Of struggle.
FOR the town is clean and orderly,
ides and walks in all parts of Flor
ence at all hours of the day or night
lid not reveal any aspects or signs
If vice or organized crime, and those
be happy at his work. Street car
fares are 2 cents; living is proper
tionately cheap, beggars are no more
frequent than in America; parks and
gardens and great art galleries aSe
town is prosperous with no visible
marks of squalor or suffering and
| everyone seems to be working and to
maintained by the people for the
people. The city government of
| Florence thinks nothing Of spending
$4,000 for picture if it desires
the picture Bands furnish free m5u-
sic and the public schools are every
where. And as in all the larger
cities of Italy, the Socialists are in
complete control of city affairs. So
cialism is dominant in Italy. A So
cialist, is chairman of the chamber
of deputies and has more power in
/ Italy than the king himself One is
not astonished to learn that the So
cialists have taken the place Of kings
as the real rulers of the people. The
Socialists are either in entire control
or hold the balance of power in every
civilized European nation Of the FIST
| grade, except Russia. And it is neces-
| sary to mention them casually sorqe-
times without pausing to condemn
them to eternal hell fire, or to cross
ones self to ward of the devil and
all his works" ~
The letter was written by Villa N
Allen White, congressman, lecturer
and Republican editor, who has been
studying Socialism in Europe.
Mr.. White, at his home in Kansas
used to ridicule Socialism, but when
he came Johnny on the Spot" he
+ found he was up against the real
thing. 1 will leave your readers 20
draw their own conclusions. Wis.,
ing you and all of them happy new
year.
Yours Truly,
MRS. D. w. THOMAS,