Newspaper Page Text
5./r-
THEMONTANA NEWS.
VOL.IL
LEWI8T0WN,MONTANA, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1901.
NO.33.
T5heFarmer^and Socialism
BYA. W. KICKKK.
Forthe first time in the history of^the American Socialist movement,^its national convention will be fairly^representative of the various elements^which make up the exploited class^of our population. Every state and^territory in the union has now one^or more locals paying dues to the^national, state or territorial organi^^zations. This will assure us a con^^vention made up of delegates from^shop, mine, office, factory and farm^and at least would teem to carry^with it the assurance that our declar^^ation of principles and purposes will^be broad enough to cover the whole^industrial class. It goes without^saying that there will be differences^of opinion, sharp antagonisms, dis^^cussions galore, and that oat of it^all will come a clearer statement of^the position of the party on ques^^tions which confront ns. I do not^care to discuss all of the propositions^submitted, and will confine my opin^^ion to one or two. Being a farmer,^the attitude of the convention to^^ward my wing of the industrial class^appeals to me more strongly than^anything else. I shall favor with^earnestness such a definition of our^position as will include the farmer^in our program. He belongs to and^is a part of the working class, but^he is not a proletarian, and the word^by no stretch of the imagination can^be made to include him. We are^not, however, dealing with diction^aries, but with capitalism, and the^capitalist process includes the far^^mer in its list of victims, and has^directed as much of its attention to^his exploitation as to the strictly^wage working class. The method^is different, but the process it none^the less complete.
Onthe broad ground of revolu^^tionary principles, the conquest of^political power by the working class^through a political party built along^class lines, with which to abolish the^capitalist system and establish the^cooperative commonwealth, we have^a declaration sufficient to include^the exploited of farm or factory. If^we are to stop here, we need noth^^ing snore in the way of defining our^attitude toward the trade unionist,^the negro, or the farmer. Such a^declaration is all inclusive, and in^the early period of the movement^nothing more was needed. We have^however, passed the first stage of^our growth, and have reached the^point where the Utopian must come^down out of the skies and the ^pre^destination^ Socialist face immedi^ate details. We are beginning to^capture municipalities, and this^brings up the question of what may^a socialist administration do in a city^or town whose citizens are limited^in what they may or may not do by^the state legislature^ Usually these^governmental subdivisions are lim^ited by charters, differing in the^several states and territories. Oues^tioni of municipal ownership of^light, gas, water, abolition of the^contract system, hours of labor,^conduct of schools, taxation, etc^confront a Socialist municipal ad^ministration, and in my judgment^should not entre into or become^part of a National Socialist platform^but should be left to a municipal^committee, whose function shall be^to examine the laws of the differnt^states and territories, determine^what it is possible to do and thu^outline a working program for som^thing like uniform action. When^Socialist administrations assume^control of cities and towns they^liecome employers of labor, and^here we touch the question of union^and nonunion labor, what use w^will make of police powers in strikes^with all of which we must deal. As
weenter the southern field we meet^the race question, and are thus^compelled to define our attitude to^^ward the negro. In like manner,^as we invade the rural districts we^are confronted with the ^farmer^question.^ and we are jnst as surely^compelled to define ourselves here^as with the others. I can add to^the discussion on the subject only^by giving my own personal views,^which I submit. I hold that the^farmer is is being left in possession^of the soil by the capitalift class be^^cause he can tie more exploited as^owner or occupant than as direct^wage employe. Kach fanner pro^duces in competition with every^other farmer, and the capitalist^class are thus able to keep prices at^a point where they return but^scant wage to the producer for his^year's work. This rednution of the^farmer to the wage basis is accom^plished through the capitalist owner^ship of the machinery of finishing^the production and distribution of^the farmer's commodities. As^class the farmers can get no relief^till this entire machinery is^transferred from private to publi^operation, and as this machinery^includes the railroads, packing^houses, cotton and woolen mills,^etc., etc., it follows that at the point^where the wage warkers want to^take over this machinery to be^publicly owned and democratically^managed the farmer is equally in^teres ted, and the two interests unite.
Nowthis applies to the farmers^as a class, whether they be tenants^or owners. All that I have written^on this question has been along the^line of endeavoring to interest the^farmer in the struggle of the wage^worker, assuring him that only^through the emancipation of the^wage worker can he the farmer ^^hope for any relief whatever. The^rural population may be divided in^^to wage workers (farm hands), ten^ants, mortgaged farmers and farm^owners, large and small. I doubt if^there will ever be an industrial or^^ganization of farm hands, for their^ranks are thinning. Kent ir the^most popular and profitable means^of exploitation on the farm, and it^i possible, I believe probable, that^the tenants will ultimately organize^against landlordism, for the latter^is increasing rapidly. The present^tendency of landlordism is not to^^ward enlarging the unit of the farm,^but toward subdivision. When the^industrial struggle of the tenant^comes against the landlord master,^and it will soon be here, we Till find^material for the rural local in abund^^ance. Again, however, must the^poor tenant wait for state and na^^tional success of the Socialist party^before his condition can be relieved^and it is very doubtful if any relief^caa be reached short of the complete^overthrow of capitalism. With So^^cialist success in a township or^county will come the administration^of public work, but it it of small^importance. With success in cap^^turing a state will come some bene^^fit through public ownership of rail^^roads and similar utilities, but again^these things belong with the states,^and ought not to be placed in a na^^tional declaration. In my judge^^ment all that the National conven^^tion ought to do on the farmer^question is to include the farmer in^the definition of the working class,^and that is all we farmers will at^present ask. We certanly do not^want a farmer's program for national^action, for we have none to offer^Just hang out the ^latch string^ to^us, make us welcome, and we will^be content to rally round the prole^^tarian standard.
GiltEdge Locals
lastweek notes.
E.J. Longmore late of Young's^Gilt Kdge Hotel is now residing in^Livingston with his family.
Joe(joss left this week on the^stage bound for Hunter's Hot^Springs. He will be absent about^3 weeks, where he goes to recuper^^ate his health.
DickBaker our genial blacksmith^is making things hum around the^village blacksmith shop. His son^Ed. works at the forge with him be^^sides they have one hired saan.
E.J. Kule's building is fast ap^^proaching completion and Ed will^be ready to take possession of his^store with a full line of new and up^to-date goods.
l.ouisNashiem, agent for Schliu^Brewing Co., paid this neck of the^woods a visit last Sunday with his^cousin. Lou is branching out and^is a hustler, and makes friends^wherever he goes.
BillyAdams, Dick Baker's son^in-law paid a visit to Gilt I Agt ac^companied by his wife Mrs. Adams^will remain at home with the fulks^during the summer.
Mr.. ..mi- is on his way to the^St. l.ouis Exposition; he has charge^of the Fort Shaw Indian Basket Ball^Team and intends to give exhibition^enroute in all of the principal cities^between Butte and St. Louis.
Mondaythe 25th of April the^store of Norman I.. Poland was^closed and is closed today. A no^ticc on the front door of the store^states it is closeil on account of tak^ing stock. It is whispered in circles^that the Poland store will be absorb^^ed by the (* i 11 Edge Mercantile Co.
DickJones was up to the Mam^^moth Mine last Fridav. Work is^progressing very nicely ami the^mine is looking as well as can be ex^pected for the amount of develop^^ment work has been done so far.^The property is under the manage^^ment of Ira I.ittlejohn.
Missllendrikson; ^The Eagles,^'^Orlando Sawyer: Parody on the^'Good old Summer and Winter^rime,^ Mrs. Jake Jones; ^Imitat^ng her Husband,^ Mrs. Clyde^Stephens; Song, ^The Holy City,^^Kd Baker; Cornet solo. Miss Mabel^Baker, which was finely rendered^by the young lady; she gives prom-^ses of becoming an excellent cornet^soloist in the near future. A Chinese^ditty by the Baker family consisting^of three boys and one girl was well^rendered and great applause was^given.
TomMcDonoug an old timer of^Gilt I.dge passed over the Great^Divide one day last week which is^not known. He was missed from^his usual haunts around town for^four or five days and some acquaint^ance thought he would go to his^cabin and see if he was sick and^found him dead He immediately^notified the acting coroner, (^r!ando^Sawyer and with Dr. lackey pro^ceeded to the cabin of McDonough^and after an examination by Dr^lackey he pronounced that he had^been dead for at least 36 hours^There'- a rumor afloat that there'll^be a post mortem examination of^the remains as there is a suspicion^of foul play. McDonough was lo^cated on a tract of land comprising^3 40s and had for a neighbor Mik^Young. It appears that Young and^McDonough did not live on th^best of friendly terms, having^had a quarrel over m o n e^matters in the Gilt Edge Mercantile^Store McDonough asked Young^for money and afterwards McDon^ough was seen staggering out of the^store with blood upon his face. This^was the last time he was seen alive.^I ast Sunday Jim Carr and Hugh^McLaughlin dug his grave as the^authorities had concluded to bury^I 'm\ in the Gilt Edge cemetery. But^the programme has been changed^upon the arrival of von Tobel the^body will be placed in a wagon and^an escort of 4 Spanish-American^war veterans who will proceed to
AWorld Wide^Battle Lirve
l.ewistownwith the remains and in^AbeAudette late mixologist for j ,own win ^ met bv Judge Cheadl'e
andveterans of the Civil war, of^which McDonough was a member.^The remains will be buried in the^Lewistown cemetery. Nothing is^known of his relatives.
JoeGoss of the Mint Buffet left Gilt^Edge last Thursday on the evening^coach for Butte city to be ibsent^about 10 days and while there will^purchase a ^5000 stock of the best^wines, liquors and cigars that^can be procured in the markets 1
ofButte During hit absence the | \\()^eniCIItS Of SOCiaHstS
SaltLake, April 24- Sheriff Wil^^cox and fortv deputies of Carbon^county arrested 125 striking Italian^coal miners at Helper for violating^a smallpox quarantine and will take^them to Price jail today.
SaltLake, April 24.^A wholesale^capiture of striking miners in Car^^bon county is reported in a dispatch^from Price City. Sheriff Wilcox and^forty deputies armed with Winches^ters marched upon the camp of the^strikers in the canyon, took them by^srprise and arrested 120 Italians.^The chage against them is resisting^an officer. The men were loaded^in a boxcar and taken to the jail at^Price. In the strikers camp were^found several guns and revolvers^and about half a bushel of knives
Trindad,Colo., April 26 ^ I'nder^the guard of a lieutenant and a^squad of soliers, 29 men were to^^night placed on a special south^bound train and under orders of^Major Zeph Hill, commanding the^military here, departed to New^Mexico. All of the deported men^were arreted during the past week^for violations of martial law.
Spokane,April 26. - A special to^the Chronicle from Coenr d'Alene,^Idaho, states that 75 men walked^out of the Coeur d'Alene Lumber^company's mill this morning. The^company attempted to rut wages of^some of the employes who it is^claimed, were not earning their^money. All the men except the^office force walked out.
Chicago,April 27.^A special^from Warsaw to the Daily News^says:
Arrestsof anti-Russian Polish^agitators in all part-, of European^K.issia indicate the extent of the^revolutionary movement.
Thefate of the prisoners is un^^certain, but the leaders of the social^democracy inform the correspon^^dent that reports of wholesale hang^^ing are false. Deportation is ex^^pected. The working classes and
hasleased for a period of five years^will be remodeled and refitted^throughout. Abe will take posses^^sion of his new business enterprise^upon his return from Butte. The
('.ramiOpening will occur about the the National Organizing Fund since^10th of May and as Abe has a hosti ast report to the amount of 512.30;
NationalHeadquarters.
SocialistParty.^William Mailly, Nat'l Secretary,^Omaha, Nebr., Apr. 31, 1904.
Contributionshave been made to
thepeasantry are in;' the tetive^alliance.
Butte,April 28^R.^ C, Smith,^secretary treasurer of the NationaK^Sheep-shearers'J! union, ^received ^^telegram today from Medicine Bow,^Wyoming.Jstating that the shearers^there hail wonltheir strike and would^return to work at once. Additiodal^advices indicate that a number of^Mexicans were brought to Medicine^Bow for the purpose of! filling the^places of union men. ~ They were,^however, induced to leave the camp^and trouble was averted.
Thenew scale callsjfor eight ard^nine cents a^head for^shearing in^Wyoming. The sheepmen refused^ty pay more than seven and eight^cents so the shearers Struck With^the exception of the Medicine^Bow district,I'the^ union men are^still out.
Boston,May t.^A | strike of^more thanji,4oo|bakers in this city,^Cambridge^and^Chelsea went into^effect tonight.\^ E very bakery in the^three cities is affected, with the ex^^ception of the Hebrew |bakeries.^The daily output of bread in Boston^is from 300,000 to 350,000 loaves,^and this supply willlbe practically cut^off. In all of the bakeries, employ^^ers were making no attempt to keep^their shops in operation, but all^admitted that the outlook for a^production of any si/e was poor.
Thelarge hotels and restaurants^will not be affected, as the employes^of these pi aces bake their own^baead and pastry and are members^of the Cook's %t Waiters' union and^will not be called out. The pro^^prietors of the bakeries, banded to^^gether in the Master Bakers'associa^^tion, have refused absolutely to^grant the demands of the men.
Itwas announced by the union^tonight that durning the day about^40 firms, employing 475 men, had^signed the new agreement and that^tomorrow their bakeries would be^in operation.
offriends, and is a good business^man there's no doubt but what he'll^make a success.
GiltKdge Aerie of Eagles No. 375^held their 1st Anniversary Tuesday^April the 19th at Sawyer's Hall. A^Banquet was spread for about 100.^There was good music and dancing^as nsnat. The dance progressed^until 11:30 p.m., when the Kagles^and their guests retired to the Ban^^quet Hall to partake of the bounti^^ful supply of edibles and liquid re^^freshments. Audctte was caterer for^the occasion and through his un^^tiring energies the Kaaquet was a^success. After the Banquet the^dancing continued until the small^hours of the morning, after which^the Eagles took their wings and^flew to their nests. This being their^first anniversary it was pronounced^a grand success by the most able of^critics and they hope to repeat it^on the 19th of April, 1005.
Inregards to the Etgle Banquet.^We did not have time to write that^up. The following program was^rendered:
K.W. Jones, toastmaster; K. A.^McKee, toast to I'resulent Roose^^velt; Fraternity, Sam Hurvitch;^Equality, Nils E. L. Evans; Song,^^Down where the cotton blossoms^grow,^ E. J. Baker; Georgia Vol^^unteers, Miss Susie Dunn; Calling^the Koll, E. P. Neff; Corset solo,^Jas. Coates; ^The Kescuel child,
previouslyreported, $3,181.46;^total, $3,193.76.
Thenational headquarters of the^Socialist Party has been removed^from Omaha and established at^Room 300, Boylston Building, 269^Dearborn St., Chicago. All com^^munications for the National Secre^tary should be addressed according^^ly and all remittances made payable^to William Mailly National Secre^^tary.
Themeeting of the national con^^vention will necessarily require the^attention of the force in the national^office and the National Secretary^therefore requests that correspond^^ents take this into account and have^patience if their letters do not re^^ceive immediate attention. The re^^moval of headquarters just preceed-^ing the national convention places^the national office force to a disad^vantage, but the normal condition of^affairs will be restored as soon as^possible.
Thepolice of Portland, Ore., are^interfering w ith the right of Socialists^to hold street meetings but the local^comrades are determined to resist^this usurpation of authority and will^continue their agitation notwith^^standing.
Reports to the national head^quarters are to the effect that 1^large and represertative gathering^will lie in attendance at the national^convention which opens May 1st.
Socialists'Convention
Chicago,May 1.^The Socialist^National convention, which will^nominate candidates for president^and vice president and frame a^national platfrom, met to-day. The^convention consists of 23odelegates,^every state in the union being re^^presented, with the exception of^Arizona. William Mailly, secretary^of the Socialists' National commit^^tee, called the convention to order^at 10:30 o'clock this morning, and^introduced the temporary officers,^James F. Carey of Haverhill, Mass.,^chairman, and Charles Dobbs of^New York city, secretary, who were^afterwards made permanent officers.^No other business of importance^was transacted.
Thenomination of Eugene V.^Debbs for president and Benjamin^Handford of New York for vice^president by the convention seems^already assured. The question of^embracing the negroes throughout^the country in the Socialist move^^ment, it is said, will be settled be^^fore the convention takes final ad^^journment. The delegates were^entertained to-night at a banquet,^at which Eugene V. Debbs was the^principal speaker. His address was^purely along socialistic lines, the^trusts and both the republican and^democrat parties being bitterly^scored by the speaker. Great Falls^Tribune.
KentiIs
Lastweek's items.
Theemployees of the Barnes-King^Mining Co., have donated about^JI300 to pay for special treatment^for Al. McLaughlin and Walter Rice^who met with an accident on April^19th. Both men are still in a ser-^ions condition.
TheBase Ball dance was very^successful considering the stormy^weather we had last week.
F'ora fake affair the jawbone lan^^tern show was a success financially.
Onthe 12 of May the Miners^Union of Kendall will give a ball^the proceeds to be donated to the^Colorado strikers. It is expected^to be the biggest eve'nt of the season^and will further demonstrate wheth^^er the public of this locality^wishes the Colorado miners to win^back the liberty that is enjoyed in^other states ( Remember the date^)^or Peabodyism and h ; may it^never lie deep enough until he is^dried and burned.
PAYYOUR 5*^SUBSCRIPTION
Th.nfsYou Will See at The Fair.
Haveyou joined the big red^apple club
APersian silk rug valued at J30,-^000, a masterpeice of Oriental art,^will be seen at the world's fair.
Thenative Hydah and Thlinket^Indians are doing the finishing work^on the Alaska building at the fair.
The(gladiolus is a feature of tht^floral display at the fair. One ex^^hibitor has planted three acres of^bulbs in the expositiongrounds, and^claims that he will show that no^(lower, not even the pansy, possesses^the color possibilities of the glad^^iolus.
