davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1913-12-18
SOCIALIST PARTY SHOWS
SPLENDID GROWTH
slooER, BETTER, AND STRONGER
THAN EVER.
BY CARL D. THOMPSON
nportant news has leaked out.

BY CARL d. THOMPSON
Important news has leaked out
Socialism In America is dead and
the Socialist party has run its course.
OF this we are positively assured by
various capitalistic newspapers on the
one hand and by certain magazines,
which profess themselves to be So
cialist on the other So there is no
escape from the conclusion, the jig Is
up the decadence of the Socialist
party is at hand.
All this is very Interestingly true.
Is it true?
We propose to examine the facts.
They may not be much comfort to
our friends, the enemy, but our real
friends are entitled TO know the truth.
In the Fighting Magazine of the
Working Class" the International So
Icialist Review of October, 1913, there
appears an editorial article by Frank
Bohn. in which the claim is made that
During the past twelve months
we have lost one-fourth of our
membership and seen our activity
decrease at least rs per cent"
Such counts as these are, of course,
sweet morsels for the anti-Socialist
press. Such statements make fine
copy" for the enemy's newspapers,
magazines, lecture platform and pull
pit, and these latter have not been
slow to use them.
What Are the Facts?
1t is true that during the first eight
months of 1913 the dues received at
the National Office show a 81 per
cent reduction over the dues received
during the corresponding eight
months of 1912 But in order to make
out their case the critics have taken
the best eight months of the best year
the party has ever had-the months
just preceding and including a great
national campaign, and have compar-
ed these eight months with the eight
months of the year following ma
tional campaign, which is always an
"off'' year This method omits the
poor months from 1912 and the good
months from 1913. September and
October of 1913 both showed largely
increased membership. Such COM
parison is worthless and manifestly
unfair to the party.
All campaign years are years of un-
usual political activity and show pro-
portionately large increases both in
Socialist party activity and member
ship. These increases are above the
average and must be reckoned so.
And, accordingly, the years following
campaign years show either an ac-
tual decrease or at least marked
decrease in the rate of growth. 1t is
not to be expected that the unusual
rate of increase made in special years
shall be continued in year immedi-
ately following a campaign.
The only true way of estimating the
party's growth is to take it by years,
and really by periods of four years
each. The following table shows the
development since it's beginning in
1901:
Socialist Party Membership, 1eo1-1912
The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1913-12-18
DID YOU SEND IN
YOUR TEN CENTS?

Ten cents and a neighbor's or an
acquaintance's address. for a months
trial subscription to the Common
wealth, this is what is expected OF
every reader OF this paper who wants
to see it grow and prosper. Is this
asking too much? OF course not
The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1913-12-18
UNION LABEL LEAGUE TO
GIVE DANCE

on the evening OF December 18th
the Union Label League will give F"
benefit dance at Masonic Hall. corn DO
of Colby and Wall The admission r.
for gentlemen will be 800. Iadi 3
complimentary.
The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1913-12-18

The minimum wage law OF Utah pf
mits the employment Of girls and mi
ors for as little as rs and 90 cents per
day.
The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1913-12-18

The Commonwealth Is published for
the education and protection Of the
workers. II you are a wase-"orker
you should be on our subscription list.
Are your
The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1913-12-18
Membership of Party for 1918

Total average .....'..''.' 'oo'5oo
In this connection it must be ex-
planned that the above figures do not
include those members who are ex-
empt from paying dues under the con-
stitutional provision for the sick and
unemployed These, therefore, must
be added. The average for 1913 so
far is 1870 per month.
The year promises to finish strong,
bringing the average well up, if not
over, the 100000 mark, and far above
the average of the last preceding four
year period, and far above any other
year of the partys history, excepting
1912.
Decreased Activity Fallacy.
With the close of the campaign of
1912, the campaign manager and his
entire force were retired in accord
ance with the plan of work. This ma
turally meant a reduction of the Ma
tional Office force and the total vol
ume of business by nearly one-half.
But no one would think of regarding
that as a sign of any loss of energy
or life on the part of our party. The
old party organizations go out of ex-
istence entirely after the campaigns.
The following table shows this ma
tural increase and decrease in the vol
ume of business done by the National
Office of the party since 1903
The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1913-12-18

The common keeping up appear
ances" OF society is a mere selfish
struggle OF the vain with the vain
The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1913-12-18

show a drop to SO,961 in June. Then
they began to climb, as was to be ex-
pected. The figures for 1913 are as
follows:
The day book., 1913-09-15


the salary soupbone, but the guile OF
the Indian and the wonderful brain
of Matty have made up for the phys
ical deficiencies.
Until a month ago, whenever the
worlds series was mentioned, the fan
pictured Plank and Marquard hook
ing up in left-handed duel to the
death. They were considered masters
of their art, and rightly so.
Plank was after the pattern of Mat
ty and Bender. A veteran of years
service, he made up with his clever
ness what he lacked in his arm, and
that arm still was able to throw a
baseball with pretty fair stuff on it.
Marquard has youth in his favor.
Hooted and jeered at for mediocre
work when he broke into the league,
the first of the expensive recruits, he
gamely stuck to his job, encouraged
by McGraw, and by his wonderful
pitching made the fans grant him
the. recognition due him for his scin-
tillating work.
He was unfortunate in the 1911
series. One crashing blow from Bak-
er's bat upset eight innings of mar
velous work. In 1912 he continued
his path to fame, setting a mark for
all time by winning 10 successive
games. He capped wonderful year
by twice downing the champions of
the American League in the post
season series.
With these records back of them,
Plank and Marquard were naturally
looked upon for great things in the
impending fight. 1t was natural to
expect heroic feats from such men.
But a month ago the tide began to
set the other way. Plank, co-operat-
ing with Bender to hold the Mack
men at the top of the heap, faltered
in his speedy stride. He dropped
couple of games The fans thought
little of it. 1t could not be expected
The day book., 1913-09-15

Getting down to recent history, the
series of 1912 between the Giants and
Red Sox was another triumph for the
left-hander Marquard was the only
wrong-mitted guy to start in the
series. He took the box twice against
the American League champions and
was returned a winner each time.
Three runs and fourteen hits were
made off him in the 18 innings.
It was notable triumph for SOUTH
paw pitching, even though Mar
guards good work would not over
come the breaks of the game that
went against his team.
Ray Collins, the Boston southpaW,
had a poor record, allowing 16 hits
in IA innings. He started one game,
but was knocked out. He finished an
other after the Giants had chased
Joe Wood in one frame.
The coming worlds series, in
which it is a practical certainty that
the Giants and Athletics will repre-
sent their respective leagues, pre-
sents a remarkable study in the
staying powers OF the two pltcherS.
1t l1so promises to be notable for the
fact that left-handers will not be the
dependence of John McGraw and
Connie Mack.
Away back in 1905 christy Math-
ewson and Chief Bender were the
star pitchers of their teams In that
series every game was a shut-out,
four being won by the Giants and
one by the Mackmen. Bender and
Matty were whirlwinds.
Now, after a lapse of eight years,
they are still the main reliance of
their managers. Youngsters have
come and gone, flashed for a brief
time as stars in the baseball firma-
nent, but the willy Indian and the
crafty Christy have stuck through
the vicissitudes of eight campaigns.
Each has been ticketed for the dis
card several times. the dODists work
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-10
Tnr rlRSr eEteENIc, TIM.

"sociaty is to blame. II euecnics and sex
hygiene had been taught when he was hoy
Iii condition would have bean corrected long
baeoro nos, lie Aa~ not had chance 10 be a
good nan, even had he the opportunity 81" pr
f. n Pratt star witness in defense of Henry
Spencer.
This looks Hike something new, 1t Ia To he
remembered in the future possibly as the first
eugenlc murder trial. various sorts Of insanity
pleas may be abandoned and. from a new angle
society is to be blamed for degeucracy In hu,
mans
The trial Of Henry Spencer. in Chicago for
the murder Of Mrs. Re@roat, is to be begun to
day Ire defense vIl not he insanity A
"erime specialist" one who has for the last
Quarter century made study Of this causes Of
crime from scientific standpoint. viii be the
star witness for the defense. He is DR. Il. H.
Pratt, surgeon Of st Joseph. Mich. who las
handled many eases Of "metastasis" and he
claims Spencer Is suffering from paralysis Of
moral faculties" Speucer's life wire" or nerve
wire" he declares has been grounded"
Or Pratt blames society for spencers con.
EAtaU4+ ffe b4aAIlt> SlFiEt@ 1aE6Afs ana leaEi~
ers who, he says, instead OF sending him to
physician. lectured him. While Dir, Pratt has
cured, by operations, scores Of cases similar TO
that Of Spencer, though they were perhaps less
aggravated. be expresses doubt as to being able
to effect cure ia the case If Spencer.
u "In the first place" says the crime specialist.
she does not want 10 be cured and his nerves are
exceptionally weak"
And Spencer, who at the time Of his arrest
confessed himself murderer Of dozen or more,
and who was styled a modern BlueBeard. tries
10 show Dr Pratt liz correct by telling the judge
who. IL to preside at the trial to get twelve men
10 hang me quick"
In spite Of Spencer desperate efforts will be
made to save him aud to place upon society
the responsibility Tor the existence Of such
shings.
There may be good in saving Spencer. but 1t
will never be developed and society will not be
benefited unless. when saved" lie Is placed In
the hands OF crime specialists such as Or. Pratt
and they are permitted to tatempt 10 cure"
him
When society is blamed by such experts, it
has the right TO demand they make good by
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-10

Just concluded, talked to multitudes cf negro
farmers. The aggregate of the audience ad-
dressed is variousy estimated, but 1t certainly
runs high up into the thousands. He warned
his listener against the wanton and frivolous
spending Of money, especially counseling them
against investment of their cash in gewgaws.
cheap candy, red ribbons useless buggies and
whskey
He preached to them the gospel Of hard
work, simple living economy and thrift. He
reminded them OF their habit. habit not the
exclusive practice of the coored race. of spend
ing lavishly directly after receiving the money
for their crops and then being hard up all Win
ter and under the necessity Of borrowing money
to plant their fields when the next spring comes
around. The advice which DR.. Washington gives
to his people is sound both for blacks and
whites.
There is another aspect Of this question.
but which is sometimes lost sight of by the
white population in the South. thrifty negro
population n more prosperous white
population. The agricultural and Industrial
South rests largely upon negro labor. Success
there would be greater and more frequent II
that labor were steady reliable and efficient
Norfolk Ledger Dispatch.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-10
TEMPERANCE DAY
FULLY OBSERVED
ToTAr. ABSTINENCE Is URGED IN
THE VARIOUS SUNDAY
SCHOOLS.

Worlds Temperance Sunday" was
observed yesterday. The international
Sunday school lesson embraced the Ttn
to the 2ist verses of the Fourteenth
chapter of Romans. The gold text Of
the lesson being the sfst verse: 1T IL
good neither 10 eat flesh. nor to drink
wine nor anything whereby thy broth
er stumbieth.'
While the principle of total abstin-
ence as a matter OF principle for self
protection was taught. The lesson
specially emphasized the duty of abb
stinence as an example to others.
In many OF the Richmond Sunday
schools there we're incidents related by
the teacher, which proved that the so
called harmless social glass preferred
to young men has been the means Of
their downfall. Some instance were re-
ferrad to, wherein the wife had come
TO poverty and her husband to shame
as result of the wife's having prac-
ticed putting wine on the table. The
fast growing elimination OF the punch
bowl from social functions and the
practice which characteristics some Of
the fraternal orders in having wines
and liquors for their banquet tables
was pleasingly commented on.
Many of the teachers are w. G. r. T..
workers and the lesson corrobrated
their platform. In this connection 1t
may be said that the w. c. r. u. was
largely instrumental In getting the
international Sunday school lesson
committee to provide for an annual
Worlds Temperance Sunday" But. "a
a speaker remarked. when the North
Pole Is definitely discovered you may
expect to find the W. c. T, II. there
with its white ribbon"
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-10
WHAT ABOUT MEXICO?

War with Mexico would be calamity; war
with any country is just bad as Mr. sher-
man expressed it. but the arrogant dictator of
the naighborine republic seems determined to
force the issue. The eyes Of tho world have been
turned upon the situation in Mexico for some
time and the world Is probably a unit In the
opinion that something must be done with
Mexico But what? War would mean guerilla
style Of fighting which might continue for years
before the innumerable outlaw factions were
subducd and it would cost the United States
probably a heavy penalty In the toll Of human
life and untold millions Of dollars. 1t is 10 be
hoped that the situation, as knotty as it is,
can be adjusted without force Of arms, though
Americans are agreed that Huerta richly de-
serves q spanking.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-10
4 DESERVING CAUSE.

The recent report of the Police Benevolent asso
citation cannot hut be OF interest to every thinking
Richmond man. The association has now on its
pension list eight cx-policemen. incapactated
for further duty. which 1t will pay, beginning
with this fiscal year. $40 monthly. When one
stops TO consider the faithful years Of service
these conservators of the peace gave to Rich
mond. forty dollars month is pitful sum-
They deserve better at the hands of the people
whom they SO long and faithfully served, few
business men have given much of their time
and talent to the labor of love which has re-
suited in bringing the association upon its pres
ent successful footing. 1t is a cause which
should enlist the interest of many more public
spirited citizens. The association should be put
upon such financial footing that when a faith.
ful officer is retired he can look forward to a
pension commensurate with his needs-approach
ing at least the pay he received In active ser
vice, 1t is me- a matter Of charity; 1t is rccog-
milton OF public service,
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-10
McCombs' Latest Victory.

IT is easy enough now to understand why MT
VIM. f. McCombs would not consent to accept
the French Enthusiastically at the hands OF the
wilson administration: he working on an
am bassadorship of great deal more Importance
to him The law practice and the business IN
terests that he had to settle. which, by the way.
ne has been settling abroad since the in
coming of the Wilson administration, had to
do with the suit he was prosecuting with one
or Washngtons society bellies, who was spend
ing some time abroad. The news comes that
Mr. McComhs has been successful in this suit,
and that Miss Williams will become Mrs Nc
Combs at distant day, after which possibly
Mr.. McCombs will accept the French appoint
ment The young lady might have known there
was no escaping Mr.. McCombs unless she went
good deal farther than Paris; when he runs
q campaign ne runs 1t to succeed But we must
admit he found this campaign apparently much
harder to manage than the Wilson campaign.
judging by the time 1t has taken him to sue
coed He is entitled to more earnest and sincere
congra tulations on his success in this field
than he in TIE other.-Staunton Leader.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-10
T14r SOUTH MD THE NEGRO.

The Frg}ajan wishes that every negro preacher
and educator would disseminate the text Of the
address delivered b. M Booker T. Washington
here tho other night preach IT and teach it and
make an earnest effort to instil IL into the hearts
Of the race, Read ii carefully:
and nay race al IT'S b#,.s o,l the farm. Teach
your enlldrcn and %sHr thtdgcn's children to SO
hack So the saN ahd plant themselves there
for The soil knows Hs color Nae and with
tnte1tgprt effort wH Weld the same wealth
60 tte baek maa that II does to thc white
man,
tT8crc- IS golden opportunity I'm the rural
South 1or the negro wha will work. If you don't
take advantage Of II some foreign rscr will he
hraughs here Ia supply the labor that the South
srn farmer must have"
The Negro Organization society could not do
better than to have TINT statement printed and
circulated broadcast among the negro oreaniza
lions Of The cities especially along with the
literature II Is disseminating Of the State health
department
The noted negro educator. who has had long
and @ide experience with his race never spoke
traer words There is room in the South for the
negro. Not IN the conrested districts Of the
cities 20 abide as 50 many do In fifth, squalor.
povertg and crime. but ia the rural Districts
on the,farrn The south understands the negro:
the negro understands The South. There is no
rae problem here. II by race problem out
side friends mean The question Of the relation
between the races. Tho raj race problem that
confronts the South Is Of keeping the negro on
the farm; Of making him an efficient Iaborer Ia
that sphere,
Washington is right; the South needs the
negro In the eternal fitness Of things he is
Alllns important place I'm the south'a de-
velapment bur it needs him on tho farm-tbere
he can ba healthy and happy and the soil knows
no color line yielding the same wealth to the
black man that ii does to the white man"
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-10
SWEARING ON THE STREETS.

II We are not mistaken there Is an ordinance
somewhere in the code Of the city of Richmond
which prohibits cursing aud the use of vulgar
or profane language on the streets Of the city.
This ordinance should be enforced There
is hardly hour in the day al almost every
corner or in almost every gathering Of men, or
even boys. that this ordinance Is not broken.
This fragrant violation Of the law or which
is of moro concern this violation of the finer
seusibilitles and training Of mankind. Is depor-
able and indicates a tendency to fee from the
higher influences Of upright and clean assocla.
lion
Vile epthets and profanity are thrust within
ne hearing of women and children as they
walk along The streets in pursuit of their bust,
ness, while officers Of the Law stand idly by. and
permit the atmosphere to become almost lurid
with the blasphemy which comes from the lips
Of thoughtleSs and careless and worthless men
and boys.
1t is 10 be hoped that Major Werner will
direct his men TO pay some attention to this
if there Is one. II there is no such
law. then we hope the city council viii set to
work at once aud create one. i,
The beautiful city OF Richmond can i'll afford
10 be ruined by the stencil which arises from
profanity and blasphemy,
We want q clean city in every respect
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-10
PEOPLES FORUM


Editor Of The Vrginian
Sr,-Richmond should come to the help of
Richmond college, Naturally the city in which
a college or school is located derives the great
est benefit. and 1t Is usual for such city to bear
the greater part Of the burden Of establishing
endowing a college. In the establishment Of
the two splendid schools at Blackstone the bulk
Of the money was raised there and all classes
gave literally regardless of denominationai pre-
fercnces. Business men gave on account of the
+-c~+ft+rry expected business and not
disappointed, for 1t has proved to be the best
Investment the town ever made.
/ would not depreciate the benefits that will
come to the people of every part of the State
from the enlargement and endowment of this
great institution Of learning. for are max
ing great investment that Will bring great
blessings while live and long after have
passed away, but this does not relieve Rich
mond Of her obligation She will receive the
Hons share in every way, and It is not often
that she is called upon to help so great a
cause
Granting that the Baptists Of Richmond have
done their duty (Which they have not), the
business people can make UP the amount needed
tn complete the endowment so that the full
amount offered ny the general education board
will be paid over. and would then fall short
of what they ought to do
Many probably do not know that President
Boatwright is almost sweating blood In his eff
forts to raise this money before the time ex-
pires or they would come 10 his rescue
Let ten business men be selected who viii
give thousand dollars each and two days
time and the problem will be solved, The
thrty-three thousand will be raised and the
gleaniugs that are coming In from the State at
large can be used to overflow the measure for
there is ample need of 1t. 1 believe Richmond
is ready to do this,
Let everyone who viii act the above sug-
gested committee Immediately report to Pres
ident Boatwright
H. H. sEAY.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-10
Heavy Snow in Maryland.

CUMBERLAND, MD, Nov g.
The heaviest autumn snowstorm In
years is now prevailing west and
north of here. and has greatly inter-
fered with traffic and promises to tie
II up. The storm Is accompanied by
high winds. Telegraph and tele-
phone communication to many points
is broken and the exact condition Is
not know. From Harrison, on the
Western Maryland railway, west, the
snow is fifteen inches deep, and the
fall continues. while the wind Is blow
ing hurricane. The fall is eight
inches at Confluence, Pa. on the new
extension OF the Western Maryland
railway.
Snow in a frog tonight derailed an
engine drawing a freight train on the
Western Maryland at Dobbin. This
blocks traffic completely. All COM
munication to Elkins has been de-
stroyed The cold is intense and the
snow binding.