The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1913-04-11
State Convention Echoes
THE ONLY ISSUE
RY Hulet M. Wells

At the close of the Tacoma conven
ton Geo. Davis of the S. e. G. and five
other delegates out of one hundred
and seventy, bolted the party and an
nounced that they had formed new
party. Davis grievance seemed to be
that socialists of the middle-class are
not nicely treated after being invited
into the party, but the new party
aided by the capitalist press, is trying
to convey the impression that the reg
ular convention declared for direct
action and for keeping everybody but
wage workers out.
AS neither the minutes nor the Com
monwealth report covered this incl
dent I would like to comment on it
/ wish every socialist in the state
could have been at our state conven
tion. l know of no experience SO
beneficial in it's educational effect
upon the party worker as this max
ing of party history by our annual as.
sembly.
The convention is not an absolute
reflection of the movement, but it is
a pretty fair indication Of it. Hence
/ am confirmed in my belief that we
have in the State of Washington a
socialist organization superior in quail
ity and strength to that of any other
state.
This convention of 1913 was a Joy
to watch. 1t had class. Compare 1t
to the collection of leaders and freaks
that used to meet in early days, and
see how far we have come.
This convention was composed of
men and women who did their own
and did it to purpose. Most
of them had clear understanding of
the principles of socialism and as their
actions proved, a clear understanding
of the principles Of the socialist party
Our party is, of course,
intended to be radically different from
all others. Standing as we do for a
revolutionary program that is not
quickly grasped by the average mind,
we think it necessary to keep the con-
troll of it's official propaganda in the
hands of a body that can be discip-
lined. The republican, democratic
parties have no control
over their members and do not even
know who they are. But then who
could imagine those parties caring
what kind of spell-binding their candi-
dates used just so long as they could
deliver the votes.
We do care what our candidates
say. The great majority of socialists
agree that education is the first essen
Lial, and that in the course of the
process we will inciden-
tally get the offices.
But we have always been bothered
by a minority in our party who want
to get the offices as easily and quickly
as possible They look at the question
from the "old party" standpoint, and
they want to pattern our party after
he loose and undisciplined form of
hose old parties whose first, last and
only aim and appetite is for office.
We have been pretty patient with
.hese people. They have done their
best to disrupt the movement several
lines. They have tried before now
% organize a dual party throughout
he entire state with provisional
state secretary, fake dues stamps, and
In appeal to the national office to rec
,gnize them. The attempt failed, but
n Seattle they kept up their dual or
yanization until Vincent Harper with
lis eloquence and tact drew us to-
sether; and in the campaign Of 1906
spoke from the same platform with
Vinsor and Brown, Wagenknecht and
Sinclair Herman, Mallory and Wis
veil.
And yet a year later in the city
election half Of them were out Of the
,arty again and were running an op-
position ticket against us under the
lame Of Socialist Workingmen's"
icket. In 1909 when the party in
Seattle was recognized, back they
,Hthely came again to start the war
new.
But by that time there was no party
o fight over, so they waited for two
ears till we got the best party we
.yer had Then they started their
I'D game with some new features. /
They had always worked TO break the
control of the party by the red card
members. But they had not dared 20
.ome right out and say it, They
new how sacred the red card Is 10 f..
most members. II the membership had
yer known their real aim. as I know
Z, 70 would have been curtains" for