SOCIALISM.

Evening Star, Issue 14318, 17 March 1910, Page 2

SOCIALISM.

TO ' r Ull EDITOR. Sir, —I notice by Saturday’s ‘Star’ that the Rev. Father Vaughan has now attacked Socialism. When tho rev. gentleman vigorously al tacked present-day evils and abuses ho was on safe ground, and did good work, and one was led to believe that ho knew what ho was talking about. But I am afraid Father Vaughan has not read and studied Socialism. If ho had he would not make wild and foundationlecs Comments, For instance, he nays that “if the State were to usurp Socialistic dominion over man it would become nothing better than a bully, tyrant, and the woist of slave-drivers." 1 -maintain the State would bo a more humane employer than private employers, for various reasons. First, the State would not want so much work from a man as private employers, for tho simple reason .that it would run trade for the public good, and not for private profit in tho interests of a. few men, as at present. Secondly, under tho present inhuman commercial system weak men have to take work (if they can get it) which is far too heavy for them. I have seen men currying and stacking bags of grain and shortening their lives by many years, while at tho same time strong men were behind tho counter rolling up a few yards of calico, tying up a hat, and eo on. Not only this, but tradesmen in .'^ocFnumbers lose their work through too introduction of machinery, and there is no comjicnsation and very little sympathy. I’was one of the victims myself, and know what 1 am talking about. Then, as to tho State acting the bully, what would bo the incentive to cause it so to do. Tho rev. father goes on to say that tho function of the State is not to appropriate, but to protect jtho rights of the individual. Well, tiiat is what" wo Socialists maintain, for we know quite well that under the present system we don’t get our rights. We recognise that the workers generally are only slaves to enrich and make a few millionaires, and give a competence to a few. Tho right that Socialists ask for is to have tho whole proceeds of their labor, and not a small portion only, such as they get at present. Then, again, the rev. father maintains that under Socialism a man would not bo free to choose hie occupation. Why, reading that statement, anyone would think that a man or boy could get into any occupation or trade that ho wanted, but wo all know that tho plums go to a select few who have the influential behind thorn. The rest have to take pot luck. Under our present system boys aro olton put to a irado or profession for which they aro not adapted, while others with splendid brains iiavo often tc take to u pick and shovel to help to keep their younger brothers and sisters, owing to their father dying or getting killed while helping to make another rich. Thcro ;s no chance to learn a trade even, let alono a profession. As to the rev. gentleman’s insinuation that under Socialism a man would not bo allowed to ivar hia own family, anyone can see that under existing conditions a man is very often denied this, through being out of work, sickness in the home, etc. How often do we hear of children being sent to the Industrial School owing to father being dead or ill, and mother having to go out and work at the washtub or cleaning. Observe the difference the State makes at present between tho widow of Bill Sykes, onco a coalheaver, and tho widow’ of some prominent man who has been getting a largo salary all his life. Yes, it is always the latter who gets tho State’s sympathy and compassionate allowance ; but there is nothing for Mrs Sykes. While tho latter is at the washtub tho children have to stop out in tho street playing, with the result that it is often the- beginning ox a career of crime. How is that for home life? I am afraid what is troubling Rev. Father Vaughan is this: ho knows that the people are beginning to see how ridiculous it is for anyone to maintain that a man can bo the the cause of another mans soul being saved. If the Book says anything it says that a man is to go to God himself for salvation, and not trouble about priests or paisons. He also knows that tho common-sense that causes people to become Socialists will cause him and such like to go and work like other people. As for sweeping or crushing Socialism out of. existence, the rev. father might just as well try to sweep back the Pacific Ocean with a broom. It is social salvation that we want, lor wo know we are here; but wo don’t know whether wo will ever get There.—l am, etc., A Worker. March 15.