Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-10-22
Communicated.

bolivar. w. Va, October 10, 1914.
Dear Sir:-As have had several re-
quests from your readers to give them
some more Of the workings OF the Social
ist movement, | will do so with your per-
mission
Socialism stands for a new clvllIZatlon.
II is worldwide movement OF the work
inc cIass. and il sympathizes for better
food, better clothes, better homes, more
education and culture-in short. a more
abundant life. All men are olothers, mol
merely brothers in name, ouf DfotneIs III
fact, with a common cause. Inc welfare
of one of US is the brotherly concern OF
all of US, and being brethren, all war and
strife and hatred should cease. me
things that men need in common Should
he owned in common and supplied Tor
the common good, not for private profit.
In the political field we demand the
rule of the people. In the economic
field we demand the public ownership
and operation OF public utilities.
What the ruling class say OF Socialism !:
Against the above straightforward pro-
oosaIs of Socialism there has been let
loose a flood of Misrepresentation. II is
| said TO be anarchy, atheism, free love,
divide no, and lot of other stupid and
impossible things. No intelligent person
holds these views; and anyone VINO
would take the pains 10 turn 10 On OF,
binary dictionary or encyclopedia would
soon learn different.
You are often told that we SOCIALISTS
would destroy property, abolish priVale
ownership or divide up the wealth OF me
world. As a matter Of fact, Socialists
have no more idea of abolishing properly
than they do of abolishing life. They
have no more idea of dividing up the
worlds wealth and sharing it than trey
have of cutting up their own bodies.
! Our idea is that private monopoly 10 the
GREAT resources OF life means wealth Tor
| the few, and toll, hardship and misery
| for the many We propose, therefore,
that the public utilities shall be owned by
all in order that all may be secure IN the
possession of the private property which
| their labor earns And the wage work.
ers are by no means the only ones who
suffer from these conditions. With every
increase of power and concentration OF
wealth. the educated and professional
class is more and more into dependent
upon the capitalist.
Our teachers, professors, doctors and
all professional men are more and more
at the mercy OF the capitalist system, and
brought into abject dependence.
Now let us consider what Socialism
would mean to the working men and
women of this world: First OF all, it
would mean that the wages OF the work.
ers would be increased until they re-.
ceived, as nearly as possible, the full
product of their labor.
II would reduce the cost of living for
every one. The trusts being owned pub
licly and operated at cost, and without
profit, the cost of the necessities OF lie
would be reduced.
There is only one party that stands
against this present capital system, and
for an entirely new system, with no
patching up, and that is the Socialist
party with ali OF its principles open and
aboveboard, strictly on the square, and
not in fear OF the enemy in the open field.
All our hopes are for the workers OF the
world to unite in one large political party,
and then war, misery and tear will have
ended. Yours for Socialism,
g. w. JONES,
Candidate for State Senate.