The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-26
DOES NOT EXPECT
TO WIN THIS YEAR
Socialist Candidate for Mayor
Thinks His Party Will
Win Later On.

Thomas J. Payne Socialist candidate
for Mayor Of Richmond. has only $50
voters behind him. but he makes UP
for tho weakness OF his electorate by
the size of his ideas. In his study at
618 North Fifth Street. last night, he
unburdened q few OF the yearnings of
his creed upon the skept!cal reporter
for Tho Times Dispatch
"Of course" no said by way OF set
ting himself right, II don't expect TO
make any campaign for tho mayor
ally We aren't strong enough in
Richmond to mako any kind of show
ing. But the time is coming-and it
Is coming sooner than most people
eXoect-when the people will no long
err be satisfied with getting a small
share OF the proceeds Of their labor.
and Will demand all OF It. And when
that time comes. look out: Wen have
socialistio Mayor right hsro in Rich
mond. and n socialistic Council too
Strong for Referendum.
speaking from the point of view
OF thu party you represent" no was
asked. what would you say arc the
reforms most needed in Richmond to-
day7"
why. It needs reforming all over"
replied tho local disciple of Karl Marx,
It's all wrong. all of it You pre-
tend that tho people rule. whereas as
matter OF fact they merely submit
to rule. Take this question Of grant
Ing franchise to tho Richmond and
Henrico Railway.
instead OF advertising In the
newspapers and pickering about 1t in
tho City Council. why not put the
whole thing up to the people of Rich
mond by a direct referendum That
| would be n simple way. wouldn't It? IL
they want 1t they would vote yes; ii
they don't want 1t. they would vote
no. easy isn't lt?"
II believe emphatically IN the
initiative. referendum and recall"
said MIR. Payne. "and believe II ought
to be employed in the affairs of a
city as well as of a nation. 1t is
tho only truo democracy"
Wants Municipal Telephones.
Under persistent questioning, Mr..
Payne warmed up to his subject with
the fire of true believer. On tho
table in front of him lay the latest
issue OF THE Appeal to Reason
Americas most widely circulated So
cialietic newspaper.
I'VE Socialists he said. believe In
Just this: Every laborer In the Lords
vineyard Is worthy OF his full hire
labor IS the only producer OF wealth.
labor ought to DO tho sole enjoy r
of the wealts 1t produces. We want
all industry. all sources of production.
to belong to the State-that means
to belong to tho pcople-and want all
the profits of industry to be equally
divided among all men.
"Why should there be a privately
owned telephone company In Rich
mond. to charge us SO much month
for the use OF n telephone in our
homes. so that a man or company
OF men In New York or elsewhere may
own private yachts and spend their
summers in Europe7 Let the people
own the telephones and street car lines
and railroads and let them BIO oper-
ated ct actual cost"
Also Municipal Bakeries.
Mr.. Payne, once launched upon his
Bellamy vision OF the day to come. pro.
ceeded to sketch Richmond as he would
havo 1t were he Mayor and DillilSen of
things as they ought TO be- Little of
his scheme was new. Prophets have
caught visions of it all the way from
Marx to Upton Sinclair.
Whats the use of having bakery
on 'every corner?" he, demanded.
Every baker has Il family. and some OF
them have children. All of them have
to be fed. Where does 1t como from {?
1t comes from the bread he sells. He
puts cent. maybe cents. on every
loaf. so that he may live. and we poor
devils have to pay for 1t. Let's have n
big municipal balscry--only one-;o
baks all the bread the city needs, This
bakery could mako tho same prompt
deliveries. and Il would charge the
people only what IL cost to produce tho
bread. The baker and his family?
Why. put them to work doing produc-
tive worl-tilllng the soil. raising
wheat anything that will add to the
worlds goods. Don't you see it's only
hA Of ira oil