Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1911-02-25
"Where Are We At?"

where Are we AT =?
Referring to "the first Socialist elected
to Congress" the New York IIortd says
"the gentleman from Milwaukee" is not
the first:
He NAV be the first who has so classified
himself, but he is not in fact the first, or
even the one hundredth Socialist who has
appeared at Washington in a representative
capacity.
This will astound some, but the II'orid
goes on
While Socialism is supposed to make war
upon ndividualism it fails at the outset for
in politics every Socialist writes his own
platform. Few definitions of Socialism
agree.
The JOURNAL has observed those pc
culiaritles of Socialism.
But it has ascribed them to the com
prehensiveness of the professionalism Z.
Consider for a moment how vast the
term-comprehendin i'll more or less
degree every political diversity!
And it is this characteristic which
makes it appear dangerous sometimes,
But the IVorld says
The fear of Socialism rests chiefly upon
the utterances of those who deny the rights
of property, those who advocate the taxation
of one man for the benefit of another, and
those who wish to consolidate in govern
ment practically all human activities.
And yet
One of the greatest achievements of
American democracy is essentially Social
istc. Few now assail the public-school sys-
TEN, but in the beginning the man OF prop
erty thought it a hardship to pay taxes for
the instruction of the children of parents
who had no property. In many States now
the man of property is also buying school
books and providing meals and clothing for
the children of the poor
SO far, therefore, Socialism seems to
be not only sane but safe.
1t would be equally so if all the peo-
paying the cost of trans continental high
ways; or if all the people of Maryland
would pay the cost of building Statewide
and Statelong thoroughfares; or if all
the people of Allegany county would
pay all the cost of building country
roads. linking all towns or if all the PEG :
pie of Frostburg would adopt a system
attic plan of paving every street in town
at popular expense!
Perhaps it will be said that the State
has already protitably installed move
ment to build leading highways, and
that Allegany county has already fol-
lowed the best Socialistic idea in this
respect?
If so, why do the United States and
Frostburg lag in the rear of a movement
unquestionably progressive?
Why do the United States put so much
money in water transportation, but
when it comes to land transmission they
must 90 into partnership with the States
before anything can be done?
And why, in Frostburg, when it comes
to permanent improvement. must the
town force into its partnership private
property owners?
And why, when it comes to transient
street-work, shall smaller load be
lightened by laying it upon the broader
shoulders of the whole town?
In short, why should the town be forced
to play the Tyrant in the one case, and
the Socialist in the other?
We might go further.
But the best rule in any case is-"the
greatest good to the greatest number, -
provided 1.-The greatest number" will
carry the burGen-carry it evenly, equal
ly-all according to the aggregate assess
ment, fully ascertalned, and each accord.
ing to his worth-no more, no less
The power to tax" said John Mar
shall, the first and greatest Chief Jus.
tice, sis the power to contiscate,' es
pecially when welded by the few against
the many.
Hence, the JOURNAL has always be-
lieved the term, "ad raioreln," whether
in direct or indirect taxation, was the
"most tuneful' in the universal dictiOn-
airy of assessments, levies and duties.
The only equitable tariff Act that can
be enacted, therefore, is one that will
actually protect alike both the capita al
and labor employed whether outdoors
or indoors, in Maine or in Tex-s.