Newspaper Page Text
BQIIAbITY NOTES
Edited by Mrs. Annie Billinrjslcii
•tin: BLIGHT OF TUB WEST.
[Bj George Savage, Equality Colon
In the beautiful land of the West,
By the mountain, the river and sea;
Tae land the Creator has blest
The home of his children to be,
"Where the mild summer days of delight
Arc cooled by its life-giving breeze:
"Where the fruits of its shores never
blight
'Neath the shade of its evergreen
tree-.
"Where the sea with its beautiful isles:
The heather, (he mountain and lea;
The canyons, the gorge defiles.
And the rivers rush down to the sea.
'Tis there that the patriot dwells
Who often has battled for life;
And many the tales that he tells
Of hopes, of conquest and strife.
By mountain and forest and stream,
By ocean-swept currents amain.
"Where glaciers do glitter and gleam.
That are -wept by mild torrents of
rain. "J" -■;■'•' ■ "
To this changeful, diversified land
a legion of yeomanry came.
By the aid of a diligent hand
To raise i: to glory and fame.
.And fair were their prospects and hopes
To reap the return of their toil:
For in doubt the true man seldom
gropes
Where God blesses climate and soil:
But the hand of monopoly came —
It came like a thief in the night.
And e'er we had seen its true name
It had covered on. land with a blight.
dm- land like a beautiful dream, •
We had thought thee so lovely and
fail-
Where prospects so happy did seem
We have nothing to reap but dispair.
Oh. dread ye the monster of greed
When once he has tightened his band.
From his blight shall we ever be freed
• When once he has entered our land?
—Our hot water barrel in the kitchen
is very musical.
— Messrs. Halliday and Clevenger
made a trip to La Connor, returning in
the evening.
— We are entertaining a number of
visitors, some of whom will become
members soon.
— Our smoke house is finished and so
we have smoked herring to use. They
are very nice eating.
- Our new washing machine that is
run by a water wheel is a success, and
the laundry work is doing fine.
—Our gardeners are planting more
garden. We hope to have plenty of
garden truck to put on the table.
—Our people M a class are very in
dustrious. They realize that this is no
place for drones, and act accordingly.
—Our fishermen came home lately
•with about five tons of herring. They
make fine eating and help out our table.
—The sound of the carpenters at
work is music in our cars, for it tells
us that the work is being rapidly
pushed forward.
—A smokehouse is being built for the
purpose of smoking fish. It is a good
idea, and we are triad the house will
soon be finished, as it is much needed.
— We hear that the colony boys
caught a large, healthy-looking beaver
-weighing about l!ihi pounds out of the
creek. Will also mention that it is
able to talk.
—We understand that the colony ex
pacts to have a dance in our new
house before it is occupied by the fami
lies. We have not learned any of the
particulars yet.
■— We hope in time to have a regular
appointed postoffice here; one recog
nized by the Postofflee Department at
Washington. A petition is in circula
tion nt this time.
—Mrs. Grace Lewis visited her
Mother, Mrs. Abbey, at Edison last
*eek. She returned hereon Saturday.
Ir. Barry made a flying visit to What
'i.in yesterday, returning today.
Our little colony post office is moved
,rom the dining hall to the home of the
postmistress, Mrs. Grace Lewis. She
makes a good postmistress and the
sound of her cheery laugh can lie heard
quite often.
— Comrade < >laf Sandstrom also met
-with a disaster, The ants ate up all his
sugar-coated pills, and he was obliged
to send for a new supply. We nope be
will learn a lesson from that and not
leave them setting around in a cup to
tempt the ants.
—We have had ■ number of new
comers lately with good-sized families.
They an already at home in the new
apartment bouse. The building i- not
finished, but as the lower floor is done
and part of the second, the people
moved In anyway, as room is scarce.
—Some of tile Socialists went to
Samish Island last Sunday. They
started out with two Wagons, some of
the men walking. But as one of the
wagons broke down they piled into the
other and put on four horses. They
report a good time, though one of the
ladies, in her hurry to get started, un
fortunately left her lower teeth at
home, so she was unable to do justice to
the lunch.
■
We have some socialist chickens, ami
the comrades even'now are counting up
how long it will be before they are
ready to fry. Mrs. De Wolf, who is
taking charge of them, took them to
bed fith her last night as they had no
coop. Today they hare a line coop,
regular socialistic, and Mrs. De Wolf
has a big wooden paddle to get after
any stray children who are inclined to
meddle with them.
We don't know why our socialists
arc so fond of water. A few days ago
Comrade Alex I'ugh fell In a draining
ditch. Later on Comrade Billingslej
after dark went to Hie spring for fresh
water and walked right in, and now
Comrade Beaver also falls in the creek.
I think they must be strong temperance
people to take water in such doses.
— Our friends, Jesse Pomeroj and
family of Indian Territory, started
some tilt!., ago with a team to come
overland to Equality. They have sent
word that they are in Kansas and get
ting along well on the road. We un
derstand that they are rustlers for
work, and as those kind of people are
always welcome we will be glad when
they arrive.
The shingle mill is a success, and the
saw mill crew are all making shingles
for the big house. The logging crew
are putting in a road to living out the
logs. We have proved that we can
successfully put up and run a manufac
tory of our mil. Mr. Palbitska, who
cut hi-- wrist while working in the
woods, is packing shingles with <>;<•■
hand. Our homemade packing cases
-work very well anil make a saving of
about $40, it Is surprising how quick
the mill boys get onto the job of
shingle making.
—We have had three new arrivals
lately, and though they are rather
young they are very welcome, one
was the tiny boy born to Mr. and Mrs.
George Stom-y May 1. It only lived
live days. Little girl, Mattie May.
weight nine pounds, was 'born to Mr.
and Mrs. Peek. It had a spell of sick
ness, but at this date is doing nicely.
They feel very proud over their little
daughter, as it is the only girl in a
family of five children. A big boy
weighing 12 pounds came to the home
of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. It seems to
be strong and healthy. All of the three
babies had dark hair and blue eyes and
were fine-looking Socialist babies.
-Sunday evening we listened to a
lecture on health by Comrade Iluey.
We understand that he intends to de
liver a series of lectures soon. There
was quite an audience present, and we
appreciate the effort our comrade made
as we understand it is his second
appearance in public as a lecturer. We
hope he will continue, as the subject is
a very serious one and we can all learn
something from a discussion of it.
After the close of the lecture we
listened to some music from some of
the comrades which was much enjoyed.
Comrade Pelton was called on for a
speech, but excused himself politely.
He explained to us that he had been
Indulging in a spell of thinking. As it
was so unusual to him the result was
his shoulder was knocked out of place
and one leg was lame, consequently his
tongue would not wobble right. Of
course he was very magnanimously ex
cused by the audience, but we do trust
that in the future he will do his think
ing in shorter spells, as it is rather
dangerous to Indulge in it as heartily as
In- seems to have done.
—A party of 2."> colonists ascended
Bald Mountain Sunday to take a view
of the bay jnd surrounding country.
starting from Fort Bellamy at 7 a. m.,
Bro, Carry Lewis acting as guide. As
the party went down the railroad one
was reminded of the gangs of gipsies
that used to traverse the country of
our childhood days. The ladies were
dressed for the occasion in strong shoes
and every-day dresses. The gentlemen
wore their working clothes, except the
old bachelors, who wont their vanity
suits so as to be more attractive in the
sight of the fair ones. Bro, Barry car
ried a loaf of brown bread and an axe.
Bro. McCoy a basket of cookies, Bro.
Pughaloafof white bread, Bro. San
strom a can of milk. Bro. .Tap a tea
kettle, Bro. Burt Savage the butter,
and Bro. Halladay two handkerchiefs
full of coffee. The weather was de
lightful and the sky clear. The party
reached the summit without any mis
hups, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Clevenger and
Mr.-. l'elton proving to be expert
climbers. The view from the summit
was grand. Away to the southwest the
Olympic mountains, with their snow
covered peaks, were In plain view.
Looking to the southeast out- could
plainly see Equality village we hail
left early in tie- morning seeming to be
just at our feet: farther on was the high
Chuckanuk hills, while in the distance
could in- seen the white tops of the < 'as
cade Range and old Mount Renter.
Looking to the west was tin- broad ex
panse of water dotted with Islands of
various sizes, a steamboat and a full
rigged ship. After the esthetic bad
feasted their eyas on the beautiful
scenery tor a time tin- gormands began
to cry for lunch, and the ladies spread
the feast on the moss covered rocks,
while Brother Barry with his hatchet
prevised a genuine Siawa-h t-amptiri
on which to cook the coffee; that being
declared ready, the party began to de
vour the boiled eggs, brand, butter,
etc., with the appetite of a sawmill.
Lunch being disposed of, Brother A. L.
Young trained his Kixlue on the mot
ley group and took a snap shot, as he
had previously done on the route com
ing up the mount-tin. At 2 o'clock the
EDISON, SKAGIT COUNTY, WASH., SATURDAY. MAY 14, 1898.
party started down the trail for home
and reached the beach with but one
accident. Master Johnny Savage was
quite badly hurt by a falling rock, but
a litter was hastily made by Brothers
Young and Balladay, and he was car
ried home by all the men taking turns
at the litter. The party arrived home
at 5 p. m., tired and hungry.
FRIENDS or EDUCATION, ATTENTION^
Our department i : Education and Re
creation needs reference works, two
good globes, outline maps, kindergar
ten supplies, works on botany, zoology,
physical geography, readers .any se
ries), U. S. histories and educational
periodicals; all may be second-hand,
and should be sent prepaid to Belfast.
Wash., by Great Northern Railway, if
by freight; if mailed, send to Equality
Colony, Skagit County, Wash.
OBITUARY.
On this bright day we are called upon
to chronicle the first death iii Equality
colony. The little infant son of Mr. ami
Mrs. George Btoney, died on the even
ing of the sth of May. Little Archie
William Stoney weighed but three
pounds, was seventeen inches in length
and,only five days old, being born the
morning of May Ist. It was too tiny
and frail to battle with life.
We do not know what is in the life
beyond, but we know it i- something
better than we meet here, so we com
mit our loved ones to God "scare, believ
ing that He knows best.
Hard as it is for the parents and
friends to part with the little blossom,
let them remember the troubles and
trials of this life that it is spared. It
is just a little innocent soul returning
to its Creator.
Blue eyes and dark hair.
Tiny hands clasped tight.
Laid away forever,
1- rom our human sight.
Once a little baby,
Innocent and fair.
Now a little angel.
In God's close care.
Hearts left longing,
For the tiny form.
But baby's safe forever
From trouble and harm.
LETTERS FROM MEMBERS.
/- — \
' Among The Churches.
I am very thoroughly in accord
with the principles of the B. C. C.
which I joined last fall. I will make
a plea that all churches organize lo
cal unions of the B. <'. C, one for
each church. To do so will be in per
fect harmony with the great object of
every church. All churches now
have some charity funds and work.
In many cases these tend to increase
pauperism: but in the B. C. C. the
churches can help people to help
themselves. It would, more than any
society we now have, enable us to
apply at once and constantly the
principles we profess. A local union
of the B. C. C. would be a refreshing
addition. When many churches have
this active B. C, C. work on hand the
laboring men will be convinced that
the church no less than Jesus is for
ail mankind, and they will no longer
feel any distinction between "church
ianity" anil ''Christianity." They
will Hock in unprecedented numbers
to a church which not only preaches
but also practices, which love- and
helps all mankind. fours with, best
wishes and prayers for your noble
work.
(Rev.) C. Hopkins,
St, Paul's Church.
Philadelphia, Pa. . ■<*
A Suggestion.
The rapid growth of ''Equality is
clear evidence that there are plenty of
people ready to move forward as soon
as the means can be found to give them
a start.
While this condition is just what is
needed to Insure success to the move
ment it is also a source of danger, and
if not carefully guarded it may be the
means of breaking up the enter] - is,.-.
for, If too many crowd in now before
there is l'Kt.nriTivK work organised
there may not be the means at hand to
sustain them until they can reap the
benefit of their labor. Member* who
are Interested in the success of the
movement not merely from a selfish
point of view, but f:•■• the good to come
from it in the future, should no: push
ahead until they are informed that
there Is mom for them and work ready
which will give a return, It is better
to make haste slowly than to go ahead
-.1 fast that the needed supplies cannot
be provided.
There is another danger whirl we
will do well to guard against, and that
is disagreement among those who an
on the ground. If there should be a
disposition on the pan of individuals to
insist on having their own way tie- con
flict thus paused might be strong
enough to destroy the Brotherhood.
What we need now i- a few persons
who are able anil willing to endure the
hardships of pioneer life and to go to
work for wages, If need be, to sustain
themselves for a time: anil those who
cannot be admitted now should bear
their disappointment cheerfully and do
what they can to help those on the
ground. And whatever our lot may
be, on the ground or outside, our con
stant aim muflt be to promote harmony
in the practical working of the plan
mapped oat
Let us select the' BEST men we can
find among our comrades to direct the
work; but let us not fail to work accord
ing to the directions given to each one.
We should not look for leading posi
tions, or fame, but for success to the
enterprise. Let our position and task
be what it may. so long as we can and
will serve one another well we shall be
promo: our own highest interest and
build up the noblest character, which
is worth more to us than anything else.
I would like to be at Humility and have
a hand in the work there, but I cannot
do SO at present. Shall I therefore do
nothing? If i can do no more than to
pay the subscription for Industrial
Freedom I will do that, or anything
els.- that ! can do. Let us not look to
self or self-interest, but to the interest
of all, ami it matters not what our work
may be. T. T. FRICKSTAD.
' Oakland, Calif.
*
I see that your spirit of brother
hood is contagious, so that others
who are able contribute to your use
fulness, being stirred to generosity by
your example. May the good work
go on until the state and nation come
into the fold. Yours truly,
.1. S. Freeman, N. Y.
*
I hope to be able to come to Equal
ity next fall to live, and I fully intend
that every dollar In my business shall
go toward the spreading of "Peace
on earth." and the workers have their
full and just share of the proceeds.
Mrs. N. E. Arnold,
Supt. Purity Dept. of the Florida W.
C. T. U.
s *
As my husband is in this movement
to make a success of it I think ac
cording to the principle of socialism
and equal rights we women should
help the B. C. C. all we can, not only
in preaching but trying to help the
fund as much as possible, and also to
get our friends and neighbors inter
ested in it. Just as soon as we can
sell some property we have we will be
with you. Mrs. F. H. Strotman.
*
Nearly all the socialists with whom I
am acquainted are Christian people.
We know that the church as a body is
not doing what it should, but as indi
viduals hundreds and thousands are
daily becoming socialists.
If justice is not a sufficient argument
for socialism, then indeed is our OHM
a poor one. Every man has a perfect
right to believe or disbelieve in a God.
Walter L. Smith, Pa.
■
I regret very much that I am unable
to be one of the pioneers, for to me it is
a pleasant satisfaction in doing pioneer
work: but I am glad that I can at least
give them a helping hand from outside,
and I expect that the' time will come
that I will be able to join and help along
to bring about tin- real industrial free
dom. Fraternally yours
M. Mardfin.
At our last meeting the question,
"What should constitute a test of eli
gibility to membership in the colony'"'
was discussed. The following resolu
tion was drawn, which I have been in
structed to send to you as an expres
sion of opinion from our local union:
Resolved, It is our judgment that
it Is not well to allow all people to
join the colony without some test as
to their socialism, and that great care
should be taken about admitting
members before their arrival.
I Secretary Battle Creek l. v.
*
I am very glad to learn that the
Equality colony is doing so well and
most sincerely hope it may continue
to prosper, and then its example he
followed till the entire State of
Washington be tilled with co-opera
tive colonies. I enclose $1 for Indus
thiat. FREEDOM for one year. I hope
the philanthropist with $50,000 or the
millionaire with open eyes, heart and
pocketbook will come to the front and
make his name historic by giving the
B. C. C. a lift.
Dr. Wm. H. Mti.i.Kii. Pa.
;r *
I desire to pay 1100 and become a full
member a- soon as it is possible for me
to do so and move into the colony and
go to work, for I entirely realize that
the great working and producing
classes of our country art- about fenced
off from the earth and the golden screw
of concentrating wealth Is being turned
tighter every hour, and gold is the god
men worship instead of devoting them
selves to humanity and justice, and
our only chance for freedom and our
lives is tin- B. C. C.
John Wm. McCorkle, Wash.
. .
How to Send Money.
In making remittances, send Cost
Office Money orders for amounts of
one dollar and upwards: stamps will
be accepted for smaller amounts. In
no case send bank drafts or checks.
We will not accept them.
fl BLUE PRINT MAP
OF
Skaalt County. Washington,
Showing the location of "Equality,"
has been specially prepared and is far
for sale by EUGENE Hft i I S. of Bat
tle Creek, Mich., 25c.
•iT Send all orders direct to Bro.
Biggins.?
PUSH SOCIALIST PROPAGANDA
V JUST PRINTED FOR THE BROTHER- |j
HOOD: A SPECIAL B. C. C. EDITION OF
CIVILIZATION CIVILIZED,
With Blue Covers Containing B. C. C. Matter: 10 cents
per Copy; 75 cents per Dozen: .SO.OO per Hundred.
?■■'.,-' '-','' ■ V
Bellamy's New Book—"EQUALITY." j
Publisher's ice $1.25. Our Price to Members $1.00.
A FLEA FOR COMMUNISM Fine :
'5 cents per Copy. .'ls cents per Dozen. x
m. c. LAPEL™ GUFF BUTTONS
Members should wear the Brotherhood
Emblem: The Rising Sun of the Co
operative Commonwealth. Lapel But
tons in blue for children, white for
women, and red for men. Order by
colors. Price 20 cents each. Cuff
buttons in red, white, light and dark
blue, and light green, at 35 cents
per pair. Address,
BROTHERHOOD OF THE,CO-OPERATIVE,COMMONWEALTH
EDISON, SKAGIT CO., WASH.
PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWS
.."- OF
EQUfIUTY GOLONY. I
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.
*
THIRTY CENTS EACH.
The Set of Seven Different Views for $1.75.
Remit by P. 0. Money Order. Bank Checks,
Drafts, and Express Orders not accepted. Send
all Orders
B. C. C., Edison, Wash.
Fono ■ stenograty!
THE RAPID AND READABLE
SHORTHAND.
Here is a shorthand system, invented by a Socialist for so
cialistic users and sold by a socialist commonwealth for its
and your mutual advantage. It is the
MOST SIMPLE TO LEARN
MOST FACILE TO WRITE
ti MOST LEGIBLE TO READ.
American Fonostenografy is endorsed by numbers of writer-,
teachers, and others, as the most RAPID OF READABLE,
and the most READABLE OF RAPID shorthands.
It is especially adapted for self-instruction; It can be
thoroughly mastered in a course of lessons iiv mail,
TEXTBOOK PRICES:
Our Prices, by reason of the economy of co-operation, arc
lower than the lowest in the world of competition:
Part 1 (50 pages. Paper Cover 25 cents.
?,.?■,?:" -••■'- i Paper Cover.. 50 cents.
Complete (Parts 1 and 2) -
' Fine Cloth Binding. .75 cents.
For Free Circulars, Terms for Lessons by Mail. Terms for In
troduction into Schools, etc., Address
Brotherhood ot the Go-operative Commonwealth.
SOCIALIST SHORTHAND,
EDISON. WASH.
INDUSTRIAL FREEDOM
SUBSCRIPTION BLANK.
TII2 PUBLISHER, Edison, Wash.:
Find enclosed * for which send
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To
Full P. O. Addi-ess
•»••••••••.•»••
" ' -'"" "*"*
BATE: Twelve Months, Til; Six Months, 60c; Three Months. 25c.
TO MEMBERS: 50 CENT* PER YEAR.
KOTE-Cutthis out and scwl to INDUSTRIAL FREEDOM.
