The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-11-09
SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 3. 1912.
THE GROWTH or SOCIALISM.

Although Congressman Berger OF Milwau-
kee was defeated for reelection Tuesday, the
Socialists of the nation find ample cause for
4 INSTRUMENTATION in the great vote poiled
throughout the country. Exactly what that
vote was has not been determined, but it is
certain that it shows a great increase over
the vote of 1898 in spite of the appeal made
10 the members OF the party by Colonel Roose-
seit in his Progressive party platform. 1t
will not reach the million votes prophesied
by enthusiastic Socialists, but ii will probably
reach, and may pass, the 100000 mark
practically double the vote four years ago.
u In 1892 Simon Wing OF Massachusetts,, run
ming on the Socialist ticket. received a paltry
21.164 votes out OF a total of ten and half
million cast for the Democratic and Republican
candidates and about $4,000, 600 in all. Four
years later Socialist Matchett of New York
polled 1924 votes. an increase of more than
Socialist party made It's first great advance
more than doubling its vote OF 1896. Eugene
nv. Debs getting S7,Si4 votes. in spite of the
fact that he had a Socialist competitor in the
field. In 1904. again with competitor appeal
ing for Socialist votes, Mr. Debs received the
unprecedented number of 402,4S3 votes. show
ing nearly FIVE times the strength of the pre-
ceding election When the Socialist vote OF
1905 showed no appreciable increase the fact
was acclaimed by the enemies of the party as
m indication of the decline of the fad" Vic
tor Berger elected in 1910, however and
this gave cause for uneasiness TO those who
considered Socialism an enemy to American
institutions and synonym for anarchy
Under President Taft's administration the
grip of Big Business upon the government OF
the country was frightened. and in spite of
Ggns of almost unprecedented prosperity the
condition of the who worked with his
hands and of the great body of American citi-
sens showed slight Improvement The few
II ceived more than their share of the pros
perity of the nation. These conditions made
for a growth in Socialist sentiment and that
growth is shown by the fact that the vote for
Debs was almost doubled In the election of
Tuesday
Socialists are claiming that this unprece-
dented vote would have been larger but for
Colonel Roosevelt's candidacy. Frank A. Mum
sey, one OF the Bull Moose angels" foresaw
the result of the policies of his former party
and warned the people of the country that
Theodore Roosevelt more than any other
man stands between you and Socialism"
Although the vast majority Of the Socialists
have no faith or confidence in MIR. Roosevelt,
regarding him, on the contrary as one of
their worst enemies, there is much OF truth in
gunsey's words. Vt is not Theodore Roose-
Welt, but progressive policies that stand in
the way Of Socialism. Four more years of
,sstandpatism" and Socialism would become
formidable force IN American politics. as It
now is in several countries of Europe. Be-
tween the country and Socialism stand Presi-
'dent-eiect Wilson and united party. If the
Democratic party fulils its-pledges the Social,
lsr vote will show no great increase four years
hence II it does not. many of the discon-
tented, despairing OF relief from the old par
ties will cast their ballots for Debs.