The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-03-18
SOCIALIST PLATFORM
Local Organization Explains Its En-
try Into Village Politics.


In entering this campaign and pre-
senting our candidates to the voters
of the village of Bennington we de-
clare our unqualified belief in, and
adherence to, the principles of inter
national Socialism as defined in the
National Platform Of the Socialist
party We believe that the next
stage in social evolution will be
marked by a change in our economic
system, which by the establishment
of collective ownership Of the means
of production and distributions, will
do away with the power of the priv
LEGGED few to exploit the labor of the
producing class.
We believe in private ownership Of
property-that which is privately
used must be privately owned and
that which is publicly used must be
publicly owned We realize that this
primary aim Of the Socialist move
ment can only be accomplished in
very small degree through the medi-
um Of our village government, but
whenever possible. our candidates, if
/ 1A1ClGus Will at al AAllto lQfOA liAt
principle of collective ownership, as
against capitalist ownership, which
is based upon the principle of profit
| for the few, at the expense of the
many. I'VE call the attention OF the
voters whose interests we would
serve, to the fact that even in this
little village there has always been
an understandings deal-between
vested interests and politics. How
else shall we explain the fact, that
the Bennington Gas Light company
has raised its rates although its con-
tract expressly forbids it, and the
village fathers" have silently ac-
guessed.
If elected our candidates will take
whatever steps may be possible to
compel strict observance of the
terms of the contract, or they will
compel forfeiture of the same. An
other instance of the alliance of pol
itics and vested interests may be
found in the inequitable contracts for
public lighting made with The Twin
State Water Power and Light Com
pany" Not only do we pay too much
for light, but the contracts are entire
ly one-sided II elected our represen.
tatives will put an end 20 this abuse
In short whenever there is any issue
between business interests" and the
interests of the village, the Socialist
party pledges itself to work in inter
est OF the people as a whole. Just as
the Socialists OF Milwaukee, contrary
to the falsehoods circulated by the
enemies OF Socialism, are giving
that great city the best administra
ton in its history, so, inspired by the
same principles and ideals, would We
endeayor to give this village the
most efficient and honest administra
ton in all its history.
During the last ten years the PEG
pie of the village have spent an enor
nous sum Of money upon curbs anC
cutters, and street improvements
The amount paid is probably fal
greater than the actual cost of thes,
improvements. Yet our streets ar,
in a disgraceful condition; q reproacl
TO every resident. The reason TO
this condition lies in the fact tina
incompetent officials through failur,
/ W NOhADA1 WIN lnt ltbdl AtQulIt
ments, have allowed property owner
to escape payment and thus to saddl
the cost of improving their propert.
= upon the long suffering tax payer
Frauds Of this kind would not b.
tolerated under a Socialist admins
tration.
Considering the fact that a beques
! has been made for the purpose OF pr
viding a hospital for the treatment o
the sick and injured we believe tina
Bennington village should act at one
In this matter. and furnish an up-tC
date, modern hospital The need G
> such an institution is becoming NOR
and more apparent. The sick ar
| constantly being sent to neighborin
! cities, with great suffering and ofte
! at the peril OF their lives We b,
r lieve that a hospital would be ia
J. greater benefit TO the communit
than an armory and that the tow
q should take steps in tina
direction. We believe that q
an early date II will b
advisable to make the water suppl
OF this village a collective undertal
, | iubs lhiH - III Inc VIII Tue pr
gressive movement throughout III
world
d Our village. like every other, ha
4 heavy Indebtedness. and IL is hig
e time that the people awake an
- throw Off the leeches fostered
$ scheming politicians.
d Fellow citizens, on the 2lst da
d OF March, you will have It in yot
S power to destroy the unholy alllanC
G OF vested interests and local COVER
r ment, by electing the Socialist cand
2. dates. Nothing else will do this.
n Local Bennington Socialist Party.