Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1912-02-29
ASKS A POINTED QUESTION.

Editor News:
/ am not trying to break into the
argument on Socialism again, but
want to say few words to your
readers, since l have little spare
time this morning.
"Uncle Tom" tells US not to ask sill.
ly questions about Socialism, and al
the same time quotes a very Vita
question that has been asked, calling
it silly.
/ am going to ask him this ques.
tion, silly as he may call it, and in
sist on his answering it, not by ask
ing another question, but want him
to answer it directly, as l think it one
of supreme importance to the people of
this country.
When Socialism comes into power
how will the government get posses
sion of the property now privately
owned, and which your Socialist party
claims should be owned by the govern
ment''
Now, ] am in a good humor with
you, "Uncle Tom, - and with the 9TH
er Socialist correspondents to the
News, of which there are many, but 1
| insist that this is vital question, and
one which should be intelligently ans
wered before people are asked to vote
the Socialist ticket.
| believe that land should not be
owned in large tracts like 1t now is,
and hope to soc the time come when
no man can own more than 1850 acres
of agricultural land, but ! don't agree
with you in the assertion that it
should be public domain. for several
Il. LuA ha
cared for and improved as it should,
because there would be no incentive to
improve it. Another is that the ques
tion of who should occupy the good
land would be bitter and never end
ing struggle, producing violence,
bloodsEed and death.
When the government takes charge
of the land, my right to occupy it will
be equal to yours, regardless of any
effort we have made to get possession
of it.
If your answer to my question Is
confscation, l want to ask you anoth-
er question (you and the others), and
I expect you to answer it upon honor,
giving your views candidly.
Bill and Jack live in little town
and are both hard working men. They
each have a good job at equal wages.
Bill saves part of his wages and in
vests them in house, but Jack drinks,
CANDLES and attends the shows. using
up his money and saving nothing. l
am talking about what Bill and Jack
have done under the present system.
Socialism comes into power and the
government confscates Bills house,
thereby making Jack an equal partner
with Bill in it's ownership / ask You
upon honor, is that right You need
not answer this by asking another but
please make it direct, saying. sit is
right" or "It is wrong" | am
strongly fixed in the opinion that Bill
would be badly treated by the very in
stitution that should be his protector,
but my opinion may be erroneous. 1t
is true, however, that we will have to
be guided by our own judgement if we
cast ballot satisfactory to ourselves,
Much has been said by the Social
lists about shaking off the shackles of
slavery from the people, and giving |
every person an equal chance. You |
say we would be free under Socialism,
at the same time you tell us you in
tend to make us go to work. Now, |
don't fly off, and say | am trying to
dodge work and defend the indolent
and lazy people, for have many times
told you and Mr.. Brannan that the in
dolent, vicious, lazy and shiftless peo-
pie are responsible in a great measure
for the evils described in Dick Maple,
Fred Warren and Kate O'Hara Ian
guage in your articles to the News,
but ask You what right have you to
compel me to work.
1t has been maintained by some of
your writers that four hours labor per
lay would be enough under Socialism.
Il that is true wouldn't you be hamp-
ering my liberty by keeping me at
work? If choose TO work 16 hours
Der day, as | may under the present I
Jystem, and in 80 doing accumulate
enough to keep me long time, and
hen spend my time in fishing, hunt
ng or other amusement, would it not |
ook like freedom to let me do so?
Your people have claimed that the Ia
,oring men are worse slaves than the ,
legro was before the war. put that
question to Socialist negro few
lays ago in the presence of white I
SOCIALIST who contended that this is !
rue. The old negro was once a slave.
1e wanted to answer by asking anoth-
r question, but on being urged to 1
nswer directly said, 81 likes de way I
is now better dan de way it was be- [
o. de wa"
That assertion has been made again {
nd again all over this country. 1t {
) equally as unreasonable as many of !
he other assertions made by the So l
ialists. I
Now, gentlemen, am at peace with t
on and l hope with all other people.
ut want to say to you that while |
on make some suggestions that seem
rise and good, you make many that L
eem unwise, unreasonable and
'rong, You are compelled to assume
1at all men are good, before you can
lake your theory practical.
WILD WEST.