The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1912-11-01
SHALL SOCIALISTS CONTROL
SCHOOLS?

SSaAOS
Mrs. Lizzie Jones is the candidate OF
the republican ticket for superintendent
of schools Mrs. Mary Mcnamara i
the candidate ON the socialist ticket. 4
neither the democrats nor progressive
have nominated candidate for thi
office the contest is between the rcpub
ncan and socialist candidates
This fact appears not to have beer
called to the attention of voters. It. i.
matter of Importance and every voter
should make it a point to mark his OIL
her ballot to express preference Dem.
ocrats and progressives who expect to
vote their tickets straight should re
member to mark the republican or the
socialist ON the office of county super
intendent of schools.
Socialists have the virtue of frank
ness. They do not hide their intentions.
Ii they can get control of the schools
they will use them for the propagation
ol socldllSL uotIllit' l MS mas b''u u'Ii
onstrated in this county in schools in
which socialist teachers have been en-
ployed. Our readers will remember the
dissension that developed in the Salter
case, in a suburban school. What would
be the result if socialists should elect a
county superintendent
Voters who are opposed to socialism
the socialist strength in
this county But candidates and others
that nave canvassed the county report
a surprising increase in the socialist or
ganization. There is no guesswork about
socialist strength. 1t is an alliance that
is definite and tenacious. 1t is strictly
business. And it is easy to measure
socialist strength in any community, for
socialists are ready to stand up and be
There are precincts in this county in
which every vote will be cast for the
socialist ticket There are small towns
in which the socialist vote will outnum-
Der that for other tickets five to one.
So if the republican candidate shall get
no support from the democratic and
parties she will have to
overcome what now appears a formid-
able opposition.
The question which is submitted to
the people in the contest for this office
is: Shall the public schools of the coun-
ty be under the control of those OPP
posed to socialism or of those who
would use the schools for the spread
of the socalistic doctrine?
Many citizens do not take the social
ist movement seriously. Such citizens
are not observant. The records of the
growth of socialistic sentiment are sig
In the past ten years a steady
progress has been made, and this rec
ord shows an allegiance of quality
not found in any other political organ
ization. The socialist votes his ticket
whether there is any prospect Of win
ming or not. lie is not voting for can
didates, but for a "principle."
The subordination of the socialist can
didate to the party may not be under
stood by our readers. Every socialist
elected to office sends to the socialist
organization of which he is a member
his resignation of the office. He signs
it and leaves the date blank. When
his service is not satisfactory to the
organization his resignation is sent to
the proper authorities by the organiza-
ton. A socialist elected to office is not
the servant of all the people hut Of the
socialists. There is no secret about this.
As above stated. the socialists are max
ing an open fight for what they pro-
pose to secure. They do not disguise
their intentions; they do not hesitate
to say that they will use every means
that may be available to further their
propaganda.
If the democrats and progressives arc
as interested in educational affairs as
they are in their party candidates. they
will mark their ballots to express q
choice between Mrs. Lizzie Jones, re
publican. and Mrs. Mary Mcnamara