Workmen's advocate., December 26, 1886, Image 1

About Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891

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&cw Unuctt, Connecticut, Sunday, Jlcccmbcv 26,
gxlct 3 Cent
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IN SP.RINHFIEL1).
SCIENTIFIC SOCIALISM IN
YANKEE LAND.
A Lecture by Dr. Aveling That Was
A Clincher Seven I ni proynatilt1
1' roposl t i n I .a ho r T li e
Creator of Value.
Slavery to (Jo.
Week before hint wo published the
the report of sonic correspondence
which hurt taken place between the
Connecticut Vitllcy Economic Asso
ciation, of Springfield, Mass., and
the Socialist Section of the same
place, which took the form of a
challenge, or ratlier, an invitation,
by the Economic Association to de
bute, the question of Socialism. We
reported also, tho final refusal of the
Economic Association to . liter into
a debate after they heard that tho
probable debaters! on the part of the
Socialist Section would be ''out
siders," anil "professional agitators."
Tho Socialists of Springtield, how
ever, were not to be entirely disap
pointed by the refusal. They had
made certain arrangements, and
pluckily announced that Dr. Edward
Aveling would lie on hand to defend
Socialism. So, last Wednesday eve
ning there was an intelligent audi
ence of about two hundred at the
Turn Hall, attentive and deeply in
terested in the proceedings.
At tho request of the Springfield
Suction, J. E. Busche, of the Amer
ican Section of frew Haven, served
as chairman, and opened tho meet
ing with tho remark that it was a
'much better thing to discuss ques
tions, upon which we differed and let
reason decide than to do as our early
progenitors did and use physical
force to decide supremacy, which in
many cases did not. after all. decide.
He added that we, as a people, as a
race, were drifting toward Socialism
not the "socialism" we read about
in the capitalist papers, but the So
cialism which the speaker of the
evening would explain.
Dr. Aveling, in his introductory
remarks, told of the keenest and en
thusiasm he had observed in the
Western people during his travels,
and thought that those qualities
were more valuable than the repu
tation for culture enjoyed by Un
people of the Eastern States. Re
ferring to the refusal of the Keonom
ie Association to debate with out
siders and professional agitators, the
speaker said he thought it looked
very much like cowardice; but per
haps, after all, the real reason was
that they were not sun; of the cor
rectness of their views on economies.
"Now, if 1 were not very sure that I
was defending a righteous cause, if
1 were not sure that our position is
tenable, I would not be here to
speak nor say the things that I have
said and will say to you this evening.
The first question, then, that pre
sents itself, is this: Is unpaid labor
the source of profits, interest, and
larffe fortunes? The affirmative an
swer to that question is Socialism,
though, of course. Socialism com
prehends much more than that.
We maintain the affirmative. I want
to discuss that particular question
the great principle involved in the
specific declaration that unpaid la-
bor is the source of profits, interest
and large fortunes. This is estab
lished by these propositions:
Vr.v Misery, poverty and in
equality, exist to-day.
- "I am tempted to add a second,
not quite so essential, namely, that
misery and inequality are as marked
in America as in Europe.''
Here the speaker referred to his
own observation, supported by the
Labor Report of the United States
Labor I urea u.
"Third The value of an article
depends on the labor spent in pro
ducing and distributing iL
"Fourth Whilst all the laltor
spent on any commodity is all jniid
jur, it is not paid to the laborers.
"l-'ifth Unpaid labor is possible j
ami inevitable to-day because the
capitalist class owns the means of
production and distribution.
'Si.rtt The means of production
Hint distribution arc the property of
the capitalist class by virtue of phys
ical force disguised as law.
"And now for the remedy, which
makes the seventh point. Socialism
says the remedy is the abolition of
private properly in the means of
production and distribution.
"We shall not not bring this
about. Neither we nor you can
bring it about nor prevent it. Pri
vate property in the means of pro
duction and distribution is doomed.
Private property in anything that
gives one man power over others
only is meant."
Dr. Aveling interspersed his re
marks with striking examples and
illustrations which were receive!
with applause. He thought that
Henry ieorgu began at the wrong
end of the agitation in this country.
While in England the land question
might be solved first, it would not
bo settled here until long after the
nationalization of railways and tele
graphs. The speaker would not
attempt to give the details of the
future Socialist State they would
bo arranged by the people in the
Socialist State.
When Dr. Aveling had finished,
the chairman invited those present
to ask questions or state their ob
jections to the points made by the
speaker. Prof. Pcmis, of the
Springfield High School, improved
the opportunity to explain the posi
tion of the Economic Association,
of which be is tho secretary, and
then, admitting the Doctor's first
proposition, and not contesting the
second, he thought that with regard
to the third, utility was as potent a
factor in determining the value of a
commodity as the labor spent upon
it, and gave an example or two of
what he thought would prove his
position: but Dr. Aveling's replies
were so clear and prompt that the
audience plainly showed its discrim
ination and pronounced its verdict
by enthusiastic applause.
Rev. P. M. Sprague said he agreed
with much that had been said, and
asked one or two questions for in
formation. The chairman called attention to
the work of the Socialistic Labor
Party, and recommended the audi
ence to read the socialistic literature
of which there was a supply in the
Hall, and then closed the meeting
which, after all, was nearly good as
a public debate, and in results will
no doubt be a benefit to the socialist
movement, while it may also have a
corrective inilucnce upon the Econ
omic' Association, which was not
officially lepresented.
THE LADIES' GIFT.
MlSNKAit h.is, .Minn., Dec. 20. Tim
(icniiMii-Aniericaii Section, S. J,. P., of
this city, will recciu- from the hand of
the ladies, as a Christmas gift, a benuti
ful awl costly red ling, the artistic design
of which has lieen devised by Comrade
II. Ii D. Puck, architect, of 'the Scandi
navian Section, of this city. The stall'
fur the banner lias heen made and will
lie presented hy Comrade li. Hlumenlier;;.
The execution of the design, which rc
iiiin s no small degree of skill, is in the
hands of the enlerprisinj; White Sewing
Machine Co., of St. Paul, recommended
for that purpose by Comrade 1'. Marx.
The formal presentation of this valu
able token of women's affection for the
just cause of the toilers will he made the
occasion of an entertainment, in which
the American anil Scandinavian Sections
I are to lie the guests of their (ierman
j comrades. A. K.
I The Labor Party of the Ninth Ward
I hold a meeting at 1 4-" liixwell ave-
mie this (Sunday) afternoon at :i p.m.
An invitation is extended to all Ninth
Warders in sympathy with the move
ment to he present.
PROFESSIONAL.
.in J)r You are charged with tramp
ing and lagging. Have you anything to
say for yourself
J'rixuuirl deny the charge of lieggin';
and as to the other, that is but incidental
to my profession.
Judije Indeed f What is your pro
fession ?
1 'risoiier Tou rist.
THE hAliOll PARTY.
ITS MISSION IN THE LABOR
MOVEMENT.
Political Tower lor the Worker.
Practical .Measures to Iiierense
Future Success -Its Aim
Must lie to Abolish (lie
W use System.
The unprecedented growth of po
litical corruption on the part of
public ollicers, has been a great stim
ulus to the success of the Labor
Party. It has been the first and
strongest incentive for workingmon
to enter into political action, and
many sire thereby led to believe that
the only mission of the Labor Party
is to sweep out political corruption.
Those, however, who possess a deep
er insight into the relations of men
to the social conditions, of today,
will at once perceive that it is a
mathematical impossibility to hav,
honest government without chanyiny
the present political and social con
ditions. Bribery will bo rampant as
long as these conditions exist.
The aim of the Labor Party must
hence not be sought for in thifi di
rection; but its prime object must
be to yain control of the political pow
er, winch would enable tho party to
make laws for the workingmen.
This has been, instinctively felt by
workingmon and lias Wen a basis for
united action. f
The question now presents itself:
What is the great mission of the La
bor party, and what shall bo dorr
after we have attained "the power to
make laws? Shall we continue the
endless struggle against employers to
gain petty concessions? Mo ! A
thousand times no !
Ill' must secure the full fruits of
our labor for ottrseres, and abolish
the tvaye system.
In order to attain this it is neces
sary to abolish the wage system .ami
to introduce a perfect system of co
operative production and distribu
tion. Every other measure is a de
lusion. Recognizing this we must acknowl
edge the necessity of putting this
demand into the platform of the
Labor Party.
All side issues should be recog
nized in as far as they agree with the
true solution of the labor question,
but the abolition of the wit ye system
should be the fundamental principle
and plank in Labor's Plaljorm. if
this does not occur, the Labor Party
of to-day will find an early grave,
and meet with the same fate as its
innumerable predecessors.
There is anot her great mission for
the Labor Party to fulfill, and that
is to perfect our political system and
constitution. Our present system
gives us freedom to vote for repre
oritatives, but not to make laws ex
cept through them. When we have
elected them they are no longer our
servants, but our masters, for we
have absolutely no power over them.
Such a system is not worthy of our
civilization; it is a humbug.
If we would be truly free we must
have the right to propose and repeal
laws, and to vote on all laws of im
portance, also the right to recall our
officers and representatives for neg
lect of duty.
A certain number of citizens
should also have the right to demand
the submission of proposed laws to
the vote of the people. 77 m is true
demoermji.
Under the present system great re
forms are often prevented. An ex
ample will illustrate this. There is
a large, suffering class of wage-workers
clamoring for relief, but they
cannot get it before they build up a
new party, which takes years to ac
complish. If the other political sys
tem, called the referendum and ini
tiative, were now in existence, the
wage-workers would only need to
combine to the number required for
submitting laws, and they could sub
mit their proposals to the vote of the
people, whose majority consists of
worningtnen. With a little preced
ing ui! tat ion and education they
would t once realize lite desired re
forms. This system would also eradicate
corruption to a great extent. The
millionaires could then not buy our
legislatures for the purpose of get
ting laws made to order, and our
otiicers would take care of them
selves if they were subject to recall
by their constituents.
The Labor Party should put this
demand into its platform in order to
save us in future from the tyranny
of representatives
It is now the duty of the working
men to bring about this great reform,
becauso they are t he only class which
suffers from the present political
system.
The new political party must re
main a strict labor party, if it would
have the right to claim the eonli
ilence of the workingtnen. It is our
task to convince the middle class,
t he shopkeepers, farmers and pro
fessional men, that wage-slavery is a
wrong at our times, us chattel-shivery
whs in days gone by, and that we
could have a better system of society
even for them, than that which now
prevails.
To every one who speaks of ameil
iorating the.condition of working
men, orjRfho' would liko to be the
candidate of labor, we can put the
following questions, as a test:
Whether he acknowledges the work
ers' right to the full fruits of their
labor, ami whether he recognizes the
only means to get it, which is Uni
versal (Jo-operation and the aboli
tion of tlw wage-system. If he does
not, we ca be assured that he either
desires to mislead in the interest of
th capitalistic class or that he has
a pitiful degree of inexperience in
economical science and no practical
idea of the true solution of the labor
question. Such candidates can, of
course, not expect the support of
labor.
If the Labor Party will follow the
road here shown, and not forget its
destiny, it will fulfill its mission. Jt
will inspire the workers with zeal
and enthusiasm; it will sweep out
political corruption; it will abolish
poverty and misery; it will bring
about justice and universal happi
ness, ("has. 11. W. (,'OOK.
THE "WIDOW" LANDGRAFF.
How ti Woman Made a Kail Specula
tion anil "(Jot. Left."
The bakeress, Mrs. Landgrafl", of
New York, who was boycotted by
the Hakors' Union last Spring, has
been talking to a reporter of the
cw York Herald, Her business,
it seems, was ruined by tho boycott
and she was compelled to close her
shop; from a net income of ifcl.tjno
per year she has been reduced to
penury, and is now almost upon the
verge of starvation. Is there no re
dress fur her? she asks through the
Herald, speaking, as a last resort,
from her social standpoint, as a wo
man. It strikes us that she has already
obtained all the redress which she
can reasonably claim, r.lcvon men
were indicted for conspiracy against
her; four of them went to the
"Island,'" and the remainder were
lined in various amounts. Much
money was subscribed by capitalistic
sympathizers, yet notwithstanding,
she lias been reduced to want.
Without going into a discussion of
tie consideration to which she claims
to Im: entitled on account of her sex,
and which we believe should be ut
terly and entirely set aside, let "US'
look at the matter from a scientific
standjioint.
Mrs. Ltndgralf elaims to have
been a hard-working woman. This
we do not doubt, but the fact merely
furnishes further reasons why her
sympathy should have been enlisted
in behalf of her hard-working em
ployes. Put the widow was not
that kind of a person. Finding hor
Belf on the high road to prosperity
she forgot the occupants of the gut
Continued m fourth page.
PAPER MAKERS.
PROGRESS AND POVERTY
HAND IN HAND.
Seicnty-THo Hours n Week for
"(.'rub" ami Shelter Making
I niproveinents for the
the llusses - I'ate of a
Petition, - Lie.
A long time ago paper making
was in the condition of a limited
handicraft; the paper maker owned
the paper mill, and as it was also lo
cated near a stream of water for the
sake of obtaining the power necessa
ry to drive it, the practice of run
ning the beaters all night as well as
all day was in some measure a work
of necessity, inasmuch as there were
no reservoirs in which to store the
water, all of it that flowed past the
mill during the night was a loss of
so much motive power; hence the
custom of running the paper mill
day and night, which is continued
to the p-esont time.
The invention of machinery and
the discovery of better methods
changed entirely the condition and
circumstances of tho trade, inas
much that the owner became a man
ufacturer, and the increased produc
tion obtained by machinery and the
application of the better methods
dispensing with much of the labor
previously required enabled him to
realize large profits and to beeomo a
a wealthy man a capitalist,
This process has been going on
for three-quarters of a century, and
to-day only a large capitalist or 'ft
combination of capitalists can afford
to build, equip, and operate a mod
ern paper mill, and they gain not
only a good living, but .accumulate
wealth by means of the unearned in
crement, which, it is now admitted
by competent authorities is due to
the workman equally with the capi
talist. There is, however, no correspond
ing change in the condition of tho
workman; his condition is compara
tively no better, and in some res
pects not so good, as it was before
the introduction of machinery, lie
is still working VI hours per week,
and is doing much harder work than
ever before. pvcry alternate week
his day's work consists of the Pi
hours from li p. in. to 7 a. m., and
the compensation he receives for this
is simply food, clothing and shelter
sufficient for the day, provided it is
carefully and economically managed.
Less than this he did not receive
in the olden time.
Now, in the eternal fitness of
things, it would seem that the work
man ought to derive some benefit
from the development of machinery
and improvement of methods. Much
of it nay, the most of it, is due to
his inventive brain and deft hands,
and to his ability to adapt himself
to changed circumstances.
The manner in which he take;,
hold of a new piece of machincr, a
new apparatus, or a new method, is
really admirable, be suggests an im
provement here, a change there, de
velops one point, and modifies an
other, and finally makes it a grand
success
The capitalist stands by, looking
on, and puts the increased earnings,
which he did riot, earn, into his al
ready well-filled pockets.
The new plans enable the work
man to do twice or more times as
much work as he could do before,
hence he logo's fits i sTlTialioh,'"and
with it his means of living, and this
is oftentimes his only reward for his
devotion to his trade, and to the in
terests of his employer.
In the paper mill, the labor of
one man now produces as much pa
per as that of three did twenty years
ago, what has become of the other
two?
The one who is still employed
must continue his work until mid
night Saturday night, and be up
and at it again at midnight on .Sun
day night, and some people profess
to be surprised that he does not at
tend church on Sunday morning and
Sunday evening.
This working till midnight on
Saturday and going to work at mid
night. Sunday is the most burden
some to the workmen and the least
profitable to the manufacturer.
It was therefore somewhat dis
couraging to the workmen, when, on
presenting to their employers as
sembled at the yearly convention a
petition, asking in the most respect
ful terms for a cessation of work
from 0 p. m. Saturday till 7 a. m.
Monday, to find that the only atten
tion given to it was to contemptu
ously pass the whole question over
to another year. Thu was done in
such a manner that no blame was
attached to any of the manufactur
ers; but it was done all the same,
and tho fault was very cleverly laid
to the workmen themselves. And,
in fact they, tho workmen, were
somewhat in fault. Only members
of tho committee signed tho petition.
Had all of the workmen signed who
desired to enjoy the benefits hoped
for, there would have been no excuse
for not considering the petition, and
and as there exists no good reason for
refusing to grant it, the probability
is that the petitioners would ere this
time have been in the enjoyment of
Saturday night and Sunday night's
rest; and they have a right to it, in
asmuch as they would still bo work
ing GoJ hours per week.
It is not too late even now; let
every one who is to be benefitted by
the change cast their fears to the
winds, and unite in asking for what
they want over their own names.
Workingmon will never obtain
what they have tho right to, viz.;
tho full product of their own labor
until they loam to patiently bear
and forbear with each other and to
firmly unite in tho acquisition of
their own.
The amount of work required of
men is now pushed beyond the limit
of human endurance; the writer re
collects the time when men (55 to 70
years of age were tending machine
and were hale and hearty and in the
enjoyment of good health, whereas,
at the present time a man 40 years
old is considered as too aged to do
the work, and indeed, ten to fifteen
years of modern machine tending is
Biillicieiit to use up the average work
man. Therefore a change is imperative,
and if tho cessation of work from C
p. m. Saturday till 7 a. m. Monday
is denied, there is tho alternative of
8 hours jut day, and it is for the
paper mill workmen themselves to
say whether they will work 8 hours
per day or continue tho degrading
and enslaving li hour system.
The matter is entirely within their
control on the condition of a sincere,
faithful union, in which every one
will be loyal to the cause, and to his
fellow workman, even at the expense
of his apparent present self-interest.
Put alas! alas! the old story of
Ksau and Jacob is still enacted every
day, but the L'saus are sillier, and
the Jacobs more crafty, than of old,
and the capitalist is always ready to
play the role of Jacob-to the work
man's Esau. Adam Ramaoe.
JUDICIAL SPITE.
Paul (Irottkatt, of Milwaukee,
having been triedupon a trumped
up charge of "inciting to riot" with
out, however, being convicted by
the jury, is now condemned to jail
for thirty days for ''contempt of
court." The bourgeois judge had
the power under the law to imprison
Mr. Grcttkau without trial. Mr.
(irotlkau s paper used the nincom
jwiop judge as a butt for comic verse,
and this is the judge's revenge. It
is a satisfaction to know that after
the first of January the elected can
didates of the Labor Party will take
possession of the public offices of
Milwaukee.
Samuel Peddle, a cabic tt maker of
London, Out., is the labor candidate for
the local legislature. There is much en
thusiasm over the contest and strong
hopes for his election.
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