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THE WESTERN CLARION Published in the Interests of the Working Class ALne. FEB 3-$06* iZ Taw ■■ OR ft Nonsss OOO* Vancouver, B. C, Saturday, February 3, 1906. ^07= OR! A, ^>^ *™*rt0«xram2?e* gUff 3C THE PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT Activity of tlie Socialist Hem-en in Coestderttif art litcuiting Hitters Br»wfht Mere tbe House at Vicloita. mm Parlas- Williams' amendment to the "Suiall Debts Act." Among matters that came before the Legislature during the past we** there was, perhaps, none of ■H-eater interest to the worlOngman Vtiuu the Attorney-Generals An*eud- ,»l Small Debt* Act, and the amend ment proposed by Parki-r Williams t„ .lo away with a crediiur's garni- *,liuu under $100 roused a warm class tlibcus-eoii. When the report on Bill (No. 10) intituled "An Act to amend the Small Debts Act,' " was considered. Mr Williams moved to add the fol- iowing new section: --8. Section 5 of tbe said chapter IU ol the Statutes of 1901 is hcrejry jiui-mliii by adding thereto, at the und ihereof, the following words: •1'rovided- slways, that this section ■nail not apply to any debt not ex- iessliag $100 due, or accruing due, to a mechanic worksnan, laborer, wrvatit, clerk, or employe*), for or lu respect of wages or salaries.' " In M|ieaking to his motion, Mr. Williams said that the object ho had m view was to limit the operations ( the Small Debt Ait of 1901, ■Ahuli given a creditor power to hold !ln* wages of a debtor without jsrov- jog any claim upon them. As far ,na this applied to the wage-worker, ■ago was wholly dependent on his wages for the means of existence, than was great objection to any creditor being allowed to selxe and hold the wages of a workman t.*eforc he bad received ll himself. "Tne moment'* --aid Mr. William--, "ihat a creditor gurninhevs the wages ut a workman, that man's post! ion ik com promised, the cunfidence ,-i i..- employer is immediately sha- Vjta. and hits credit is gone. And the worst of it is that often when this stmt ter comes before the Small I •.•tits Court, it may be found that il,.- debt, never existed, but the evil in .!..no, and it is impum-il-h- for the man to stand in the mum position as he ot:i:u|-ie>d l-efoit.-. Tlie garnichio- aliso bor« heavily on ■an null--dual who might not be able 'v j-ay Just ut the time, I ait. would i lie able to pay il give* mimrient time When the ' um. raine tulor*- the Ssaati Debts Court as it would Ibavei ■ I* do il there ew-re no gar- ■astuet he would h<- given a chance to pay toe debt in instalments, but the gs-rrarkW gave him no . h-uin- lhe ammdmi-nt did out sum tu release a workman from In** obhga- tions altogether, but it only nought to have the claim properly proved l« lure hit. wages were attach'-d. and he considered that on general prin- iiploa there was great objection to ullowing the Mi/.uie of thn wages of u wurkiugmao before any claim had .beta proved against him. Mr. Dowser characterized the anient) •ment as class legislation of the worst kind. It was a means of Jitiping ths workingman to evade ihi* just debts up to $100, and the htOBwkceper who had to buy goods ilrum the wholesale merchant would -MSsa as cotunn-s-iiKi- If tbe work*- -mgmae nan into debt he had him- •ulf to til* UK- and should learn to Hive within his means. Me was al- mtuly protected in the County Court to -Use extent of $40 a month, and id the Small lM>ts Court to tlie ex tent of fan a month, which wa* Mi Hi* lent to maintain his family. Mr William* bbScted that Mr. tyowaag was basing his ob.octions to (hi- amendment <m grounilH that did mil exist, but the speaker overruled him and Mr. Bowser continued that the garnishee was a just protection far the griK-erynian as otherwise there «a« nothing to prevent a workman frittering away his money m Rambling, drink or anything .else, ami refusing to pay his just debt*. He represented a rntutltiincy full of laboring men himself, but hn would not he afraid to meet Ilium mui explain his position in thin matter, as he knew they would u|shold Mm. The Attorney-Genera I defended the •nnaadatant. Me considered Mr. 11hwwm»'m eMtaerliun that it wouhl be UNed by workingmen to defraud their i red it or* an asperasion on the character of the workingmen of the Pro- vl"Ce, There wore honest and dishonest worMngmen just as thore wero different kinds of,people in other occupations, but. there were also those who were unfortunate and it wit* these that the amendment wan .donigned to aid. lt was not intend- ■ed to release a man from his debts. *»it simply to prove that the debt •should be taken to the Court and "djucated on In-fore It was claimed. Tho workingmen were not the only people who sometime* frittered their money away. /J Mr. Hawthornthwaite said tho At- *an»y4ayiaaM had gone into the ■natter,, so thoroughly that there v/*n "try u%tte left -for him to say. tbo Attoro«y4lemiri,l hail certainly taken the wind completely out of the sails of tho member for Vancouver. "That honorable gentleman," said Mr. Hawthornthwaite, "says this is class legislation. I wont, to point out to him that all legislation is class legislation of ono Uml or tho othor, but the great majority of it •» '»r the \mnatt of that riiwlanrti*. nui amat w5r* t*e>aoruhlr. the ojiite prepared to go before them and explain his action in this matter. I orfly want to add to that thut when the working people are advanced to a proper under-standing of these things, he need not go before them. He could save himself the trouble, because they would not listen to him for two minutes. He rails this class legislation, and says that It will give the working- men a chance to escape their jmst debts. Let tne tell him that they are not endeavoring and have no desire to escape their just debts at all. but they are endeavoring to place themselves in a position where they shall not be compelled to pay debts Lhat are unjust. < Applause.) 1 have known men in this province who have been compelled again and again to pay debts that are unjust under tlie system of legal blackmail which wa* exposed by tbe member for Newcastle i Mr William-*) in his speech oa tbe address in reply to the Speech from the Throne, We are en- 'let-vonn-K to place it out of the powder of the honest groceryman ol whom my friend from Vancouver -speaks so much, lo attach the wages of u workingman, and compromise his position in doing su. He says the Small Debts Court will protect the uorkingffnan to tbe extent of f.'U) o, month, but the Small Debt* Court in a mere farce with the legal profi-H-vion anyhow. It was intended to afford a cheap method of settling disputes ubout small debts, but we find, for instance, that legal men will not take cases to the Sniall Debts Court. The.v go to the t.mnty Court. Why? Hi-a.ise theril is mur** profit for them in the County Conn. The object of the Hill was simply to protect workingmen eu-mnM those who would compel payment whether a debt ia owed or not. They talked of British justice and fuir play, but thi* wa* not fair play. The member for Vancouver talked of peopls- skipping out and leaving debt* unpaid, but if a man wauled t*. k'ave the Provini e, there wu* a process* by which he could I*.- prevented, II.* could nut skip ..I,t i( he would The power to garnishee us it stood at prevent was only a way lo lom- C«-l null to pay ili-tiis ilny did not owe, and he trusted the 11..us. would tsk« iiM-amiri-s to remove thi* unfair Ictri-tlutUin from thu Statute book* ol the 1'rovinc*. (Applause.) (in being put to the vote, Mr. Williams' ameiulment wa* negatived on the following division: Yeas—Messrs. King, McNiven, Murphy, .lone*. Tanner, Davidson, Henderson. Wells, Cameron. Hawthorn- thwalti-. Williams, MrUride, Wilson, Houston. Croen, Wright—16. Nay*— Messrs. Drury, Brown, Evans, Oliver, Peterson, Hail, Tat-low, Cotton, KUison. Clifford, Bowser, Kraser, Ross, Fulton. Garden, Taylor, Young, Macgowan, Shatford, (Jrsnt, Manson.—21. was a good illustration of the Question of cost as compared with the human lives. After the lives ot the passengers and crew had been lost, it was found that the life belts that had been wrapped round helpless women and children in the bone that they might be saved only dragged them to certain death because they had been loaded with lead by unscrupulous manufacturers. In addition to that the life boats were rotten and the ship itself unfit to carry human lives. The same thing still prevailed. They learned that this very vessel, the Valencia, was built 23 years ago and was absolutely unfit to carry valuable human lives on this coast. Until they adopted a system in which the question of cost was not paramount in everything they could hardly hope for n better state of things. "I assure thn House," added Mr. Hawthornthwaite, "that it was not my intention to bring any discordant note into this discussion. I want to assure the Honse that our party is sincere in wishing in every possible way to safeguard human life, hsit I want to point out that it is not marine disasters alone that should be guarded against. I want to point out that we must continue to stand i fare to face with this loss of human life, until men are Intelligent enough and humane enough to understand the causes and to remedy them. i Apple use.) The resolution was carried unanimously. Bill for the Relief of the Mumcipnli- ty of Dewdney. No measure has caused more discussion in thc House this session than the bill for the relief and dis- corporation of the Mnuicipality introduced by Premier McBride. The Premier explained that the Municipality of Dewdney was incorporated in 1803, chiefly for the purpose of constructing a certain dyke nenr Ilatxic. In the following year rii'iie the great flood* of the Fraser and the dyke was washed away. The people became discouraged and many of them left. Since then the Municipality had been at a standstill, no Councils being elected. There was a debt of $30,000 against the lands and of the late l/»an Conipanie* from whom the money for the dyke had been borrowed, had been filing their claims. If th.-.v seised the land everyone in IVw-dney would become insolvent 'Hie two principal creditors tin- Yorkshire Banking Corporation, and tlie Sun life Insurance Compaa- y, had agreed to compromise with the (jlovernme.it and content them- sv|v.*H with a payment of $25,000, letiin*,' the rest go. Of this amount the pnople of Dewdney were willing to repay $1.r-,0(iO in taxes and the Government would assume the rest. It was necessary tar do this not only to help the people but also for the sake uf saving the good name of the other municipalities of the Province. Mr. Oliver, the member for Delta, attached the Bill bitterly as apiece of charity for which the members of his own constituency of Delta among others, would he called upon to pay. Mr. Hawthornthwaite said that when this dyking question came up last year he took the position that the duty of the Province was to wipe out the whole debt. These farmers should not be held responsible for this debt. It was not the desire of many of these municipalities ta the first place that, these works should be undertaken as they were. They had been forced upon them by the Government of the day, and they certainly could not help it if floods came along aad washed them away afterwards. These were disasters which no one could prevent, and he considered it most unfair that these farmers should be saddled wtOKjhfs irt-detttedness. The member /or Delta was very selfish in dealing with this question, especially when it had to be considered that he represented 'one of the wealthiest farming districts in the Province. Mr. Oliver—"How do you know ? you were never there." Mr. Hawthornthwaite—"No. I was never there, but I have heard the honorable gentleman talk as I have heard him express his opinion on ev- erv subject that coxites up in this House from steam boilers to high finance. It is true that I have not been to that constituency, but that is not necessary to find out what it pays into the Public Treasury and what it takes out. I can look at the public accounts of this Province and they will show that Delta is one of the wealthiest fanning districts in this Province. With regard to taxation it draws from this province large sums of money and practically makes no returns whatever. (Hear, hear.) ' It pays into the Provincial Treasury some three of four thousand dollars, and receives back for schools, roads and bridges, between $20,000 and $24,- 000, and I think in this respect the member for Delta is selfish. Here is a district poorer than his own, and here we find the friend of the farmer rise from his seat in this House and say, "My district is all right, and as for you, you can go your own way, you can fry in your own fat for what we care". That is his position, and his remarks are applauded by members of this side of th* House. I.«u>t year I drew the attention of the House to the tact that with the evolution of capitalism tbe position of the farmer would grow worse year by year, and now the honorable gentleman must admit that this is coming true. TRAITORS, JOKERS AND USURY Bret Criticise, ef the Fads. Faltatte, FeMee artfefflee-ef Capitalist Civilization ara* its Aeelefitts an. Oefeetfere. Apropos of thc present crusade against the money lending sharks with their 115 per cent, interest, it would be interesting to know what rate of interest the crusaders consider to be just, and why. By what standard do they fix the leasonable- ness or justness of interest? The legal rate was, until recently 6 per cent, and is now, I believe, 5 per cent. Five per cent, is the rate thati can be collected on overdue debts wh.-n no other rate has been agreed upon between debtor and creditor and is evidently considered by our wise legislators at Ottawa to be just and right. It is not denied by anyone save Socialists that interest is right, but evidently too much right makes a wrong for our good bourgeois friends dub 125 per cent, "robbery," though when they have the chance they themselves are guilty of collecting more than the legal rate, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12 per cent, being common rates in this part of the commercial world. (Continued on Page Three.) Tlie Revolution. Interest is a premium paid for the use of money. Were the money to be locked up in a vault instead of being lent the owner would get no interest, but when lent the borrower must himself produce the interest or, extract it from others, the lender has no part in its production, he terns bis attention to its distribution. The lender, therefore, obtains something for nothing, he is a robber whether he obtains 5 per cent. or 125 per cent. It is claimed that the lender or investor (who is merely a lender in other guise) is entitled to interest «s a "reward of risk." the risk he entailed in lending his money. The burglar risks his liberty when engaged Jn cracking a safe and by the same reasoning is entitled to all he can get as a "reward of his risk." i by, patricians, not for the purpose of rightlfig his own order, but for playing the pander to the worst interest of theirs. He who is of the people but makes himself a traitor to his birth if he furnishes the excuse for these tyrant hypocrites to lift up their hands and cry 'See what liberty exists in Rome, when WE, the partricians, thus elevate a plebian!' " These words fit the case of John Burns, he has sold himself for a price. • • • Mr. Chamberlain, of Brummagem fame, is credited with saying that*, England has her choice between tar-**. * iff reform and- Socialism-, and is' choosing Socialism. Surely the genial Joe is joking. The Socialism • which consists of a Liberal government strongly entrenched need have no terrors for Joe even though that government includes Honest John among its members. Th* interests of the capitalist class is safe in the hands of a liberal government the working class will get only what they are strong enough to take and that will not be much at' this stage. Hawthonithwuite's Speech on The life-Saving Resolution. One of tho best speeches delivered by Mr. Hawthornthwaite during the present session was that on the resolution of Mr. Manson, calling on the Dominion Government in view of the recent wrecks to esta*jjl'*ih. lift*- saving stations on the west coast ot Vancouver Island. After Bpeechcsi hud lieen made by Mr. Manson and Mr. Oliver, tho mover and seconder of'the resolution and also by Premier McBride, Mr. Hawthornthwaite said: "I do not think I should allow this occasion to go by without drawing attention to one aspect of these dopioralils- disasters that is not often mentioned on the floor of this House. The member for Delta (Mr. Jliver) said that had life-saving appliances lieen placed on the west roast of the island this disaster might hnve l-een averted. I would rttnind the honorable gentleman that It ls not only on the west coast of this island that liws are lost for want of proper precaution. There a is* lives lieing lost in industrial pursuits every day for the same reason. In tho United States last year, 10.- 000 men lout their lives on tho railways alone. It is appalling to think1 of—more mon were lost on the railways of the United Stutcs than in the Boer war. Those aixiilents aro not ilecreasingl they are incidental to production as it is carried on at tho present time. With the capitalist class who employ these men it is merely a question of cost. Husnnn life is the cheapest thing on the market today, and thoy exploit it for all It Is worth. life Is cheaper than tho moans of protecting it, nnd lhe employer prefers that lifo shall lie wasted rather than that he shall provide tho means of protection. If one man is killed, it is an ussy matter for him to get another, but It is not so easy for him to re- caver the money he may spend tn tbe pun-huso of life-saving ai«plian- 'Mr. Hnwthornthwnltt} con|rrattilat- iil the gentlemen for bringing In thc resolution. Tho Intention was good but a moro barren resolution could accomplish but. little after all* Stah things wouUI occur so long a» the present system prevailed. Twice lie- fore trie Island had lieen shocked Wt hii." read tho morning cables, we have listened for the news. For the great historic story flashed across the weed and ooze; Of a nation in her anguish, of a people trodden down. Raising high their blood-red banners in the country and the town; Of a iieople crushed and beaten underneath the tyrant's heel. Rising with a sound of cannon and a glint and flash of steel. When the French (like tigers learning, affer long and cruel years, That thc cage door stood wide open that the exit held no fears) Rose and smote their ancient masters, looked on Death with eyes of scorn. Surely was the Revolution of the later Russia's born; Surely was the great uprisings of the people far and wide, Shadowi<d in the onward current of the rushing human tide. Thoy have suffered, ox-eyed peasants, patient, bovine, dull and slow; They have suffered—exiles tramping through the white Siberian snow, Knout and cell and rope and rifle—all that human mind invents. All that slaves in anguish learn of man's Satanic punishments— They haw suffered! Let them triumph! Triumph yet they surely must, For the mills of God are grinding, and the Lord High God is just. People of the Revolution! Hail across the leagues of foam! People of the Revolution! What was Greece and what was Rem*/? Iieople of the Revolution!—In the empire of the Czar— Lo! one rebel sends ye greeting from a land, remote,.afar, Lo! one rnbel bills ye coi*i*uer, pigmy though his wishes be, Would to God, he dieth fighting for the cause of Liberty! Would to God his dull days ended li lie uprisen Russia's sons, To the deep resonant buying of the Revolution's guns; Hail! ye soldiers of Rebellion! High and Holy is your cause; Children of the wond'rous present, fathers of the future laws. Hail! ye moujiks, common peasants, all unskilled of tongue and pen! Ye are yet the Sov'reign People, ye are brothers, ye are men! Not today and not to-morrow shall your final conquest hold, But thro' years of storm and travail, storm and travail to be told. I What Carlyle shall write your story? What wildSwlnjA-rne. sing.your song Of tho I-ast Great Deeds in Europe when the Russian faced his wrongs? When the Autocrat was driven, like a jackal, to his lair, And the people learned how mighty are the people everywhere. On and on, Slavonic helots! Thro' the dark and narrcv ways! Write your tale of Human Freedom, aing your Russian Marseillaise! When a hundred years are over, when begins another age, They will scribe in exultation wond' rous deeds on history's page. They will tell how trodden Russia, out from Moscow to the sea. Rose and woke the.startled nations with a Song ot liberty! —E. J. BRADY In Sydney Worker. ■*SSSSSaSSBS***SSSS*SSSNSSSJSSnSJSMSSJSaSSSSJSJSmSBSJBSMaBSSSBSJB»^ The Tribune of this city is very grieved to find that the labor and Socialist press of England denounce John Burns as a traitor to his class for accepting, a cabinet position with a capitalist government. The Tribune, of course, wilf not and cannot see that the interests-of the working class are directly opposite to the interests of the capitalist class, it will not and cannot see that a cabinet, whether it be Conservative or liberal, is merely the executive of the capitalist class, there to attend to the interests of that class and that, therefore, a working man. who accepts a position in any other than a working .-lass government is a traitor to his class, unconsciously, perhaps, but none the less a traitor. John Burns, by accepting a cabinet position is as responsible for the actions of that cabinet as any other minister. • • • In "Rienst" Lord Lytton makes one of his characters say as follows: "If there be a vile thing in I the world it is a plebian advanced' It seems to the ordinary individual to be the height of stupidity for the workers of Winnipeg to elect members of the master class to the Provincial legislature and then go to them hat in hand and beg, blag is the word, for legislation. It does seem as if it would be more sensible to send members of their own class to the legislature where they could introduce and fight for whatever legislation was required. This legislation might not be obtained under these circumstances, neither will it be obtained under present circumstances if it infringes one hair's breadth on capitalist privileges, but with legislators of their own, the workers would at least have the satisfaction of giving the capitalists a run for their money. In Britain, that country which in the eyes of the average -Canadian is far behind this great, free and prosperous west, they are, at least politically, much farther advanced than we from a working class standpoint. The latest available returns at time uf writing give 40 "Laboritee" elected. Though the political opinion of these 40 are of the most heterogeneous description these 40 are, at least, a sign that the long slumbering working class is at last awakening to its interests and intends to have legislators from its own ranks of tho enemy. It proves that the British working class is beginning to see that its interests are opposed to the interests of the employing class, a lesson which apparently will take a lot of education to impress upen the Canadian worker, for outside of B.C., political death reigns supreme among his class and seems likely io ] so reign for some time to come. SPARTACUS. Some idea of the figure being cut by the United States in the world's market, may be gleaned from the following. The exports for 1905 totalled $1,626,962,843. The imports amounted to $1,179,358,846. The excess of exports over imports was $447,603,497. That this balance of trade in "our" favor was not re turned to the United States in the form- of money is shown by the fact that the total imports of gold exceeded the exports by only $3,452,- 097. The wage-mule and the working farmer of the United States should get a large measure of comfort out of a careful study of these figures. The nearly half a billion dollars of wolalth that did not return! to the country represents tho amount that was wrung from their slavish toil and expended abroad. "Gorman scientists announce that (everything needed to make a man weigh 150 pounds, can be found ia the whites and yolks of 1,200 ben's eggs. Reduced to a fluid, the average man would yield 98 cubic metres of illuminating gas. and hydrogen enough to. fill a balloon capable of lifting 145 pounds. The normal human body has in it the iron needed to make seven large nails, the fat for 14 pounds of candles, the carbon • for sixty-four gross of crayons, and phosphorus enough for S20.- 00O matches. Out of it can be obtained besides twenty coffee spoons of salt, fifty lumps of sugar, and forty-two litres of water."—Ex. Twelve hundred hen's eggs at "two bits" a do/c-j lvoulrl be .worth $25. This precludes the pi sibility of carrying on a lucrative business either in the debaucheries of loafing ,n th6 manufacture of men, as the capitalists and their hanger-on, or | av#sragB one on halM* at prtmont is worth far less than that sum. ^M V&tor tar Vanmsuver, repre- IwiUi dl-witer. of this kind. These r^^fatSaan'Ami he ivpiutirnts a [wan the incident of the Oenera Slo- l«lwrfatr*M|j-a ca%rttm'bby and la!aim and the Clallam. The Slocum -w i Another Russian' murderer, General Uriar.noff, took sudden departure for oblivion on Jan. 29, by tho bomb route which has become so fashionable in that country of late. He was given his ticket by a man disguised as a painter, whose Identity has not vet been disclosed. The papers refer to this "crime" as a ''political net of vengeance ln retaliation for the General's severity in repressing the revolutionists." To •discover anything criminal in tho removal ot ono of these trainod and bloodthirsty butchers roqjttires a discernment remarkably keen. Tho people of the United States are said to possess about one-half of the world's diamonds, and are spending fully three million dollars a month on imported jewels of all kinds. It is said to be no uncommon thing to see a workman'a dim ner-pail plentifully studded with rare and costly gems as a pleasing Indication of the djuality and plenteous-, ness of the Ailing inside. This will apiiear as an extravagance only to those, who, by falling to read the capitalist press remain 1-inoiant of th* fabulous wages paid in that favored land. in the way of capitalist Investments in other lands. The eleven hundred millions of imports was also wruna* fruui their sweat and like a bad penny It returned to be used for the purpose of making them sweat again and more copiously. Let them not be downcast, however, for "we" are conquering tho world's market and the "balance of trade" is in pur favor. Sweat: you ignoramuses, sweat. It is the price you pay for your ignorance, and that is a qualification you needs must possess in order to maintain your present proud position of "American Sovereigns." And besides nil this, remember that you are "free" and the few paltry millions referred to is but a bagatelle compared to tho total amount out of which you are skinned every vear of your ridiculous lives. Talk about a good thing—you aro the best ever. Tho spectailo of drunken soldiers marching through the streets of Russian cities with "a dead baby, with a bayonet run through its body being displayed at tho end of each gun," ought to oncourage parents to see thnt their boys aro trainod td military service. Tho profession of trained murderers is a most noble calling, as anyone can readily see. Its real nobility was splendidly ty- l>i!V*(i in the above and similar instances which have occurred In Russia during recent months. lt seems that referring to a man as a -gas bag" is not a figure of speech, but the mere statement of a fact. But with all the valuable properties enumerated above in. tbe human composition, it does seem as though they, might be turned to commercial account rather than be wasted through burial or cremation. It is painful to think that the present method of disposing of the dead may be cheating our dear capitalist masters out of some profit to which they are justly entitled. What right han the dead slave to carry into the grave, illuminating gas, iron, candle fat, carbon and phosphorus? He should bo prosecuted as an ungrateful thief for so doing. _ 0 ' . i Five Clarion sub. cards—$3.75. ' 0" A bill has been introduced in Victoria providing that "All timber cut.on ungranted lands of the Crown or on lands of tho Crown whirl-, shall hereafter be granted, shall be used in this Province, or be manufactured in this Province into sawn lumber.. that is to say, into boards, deal, joists, lath, shingles, or other sawn lumber." To thts bill, J. H. H»w- thornthwaite hns offered an susmad ment as. follows: "Provided always that logs cut or hewed by bona nde hand loggers may at all times be exported." .4 i .> f il-: ■'*M •I P (■■■ TWO tat jgjgig ouftim VAKdotivi-w, Sfttttta ttottyMittA. _ (SAtuRDAY, FEB. 8, IWJo. § lb Wfltan wkiw every Saturday In the of tha working cms* sdone Offlos of the Western Clarion, Hock basement, 165 Haatings Street. .Vancouver. B. C. *»J»"*^%»*»**w*e*j SVMMMnMI: ll-NKI ANMttM Strtetly in Advance. In lots Yearly ■xibaoripUon of ave or more. 76 eat cards its rates an application. If jrbe receive this paper, it is paid or. all communications to The WESTERN CLARION Box 836, Vancouver, B. C. 359 Watch this label om your paper. Ti this number is on it, your subscription expires the ■est issue. SATURDAY, FEB. 3, 1906. PROFIT AND HUMAN LIFE. '''We do not often find ourselves in accord with the member for Nanaimo, (J. H. Hawthornthwaite,) but no truer words were ever spoken than; when he said in the House this week that "the cheapest thing on this continent is human life," and disregard for its sacredness and rights is daily strengthening the hands of those who hold revolutionary ideas" —Tbe Week. . The words used by Mr. Hawthornthwaite were uttered during a discussion in the House of the wreck of the steamer Valencia on the coast of Vancouver Island, in which more than 100 men, women and children lost their lives. The Western coast of the island is probably the most dangerous upon the Pacific shores of this Western Continent,, and although thousands of human beings are annually carried in close proximity to its threatening and treacherous rocks and reefs, there has as yet been established no adequate coast-guard or life-saving service to warn the mariner of approaching danger, or to save the lives of those who may be so unfortunate as to find themselves in the position of thoj victims of the Valencia disaster. No doubt marine disasters will occur so long as man ventures to brave the terrors of the sea. They wiU arise from causes that are probably beyond the power of human vision to foresee and guard against. But it is no exaggeration to assert that the enormous loss of life incidental to the operation of the modern industrial appliances, both upon saa and land, ia largely due to the purpose underlying their control and operation. The fundamental purpose for which modern industry, and this of course includes transportation, is carried on, is profit. The chief desideratum of the owners of capital is that it 'shall bring to them the largest possible volume pf pro- %t. This naturally implies the minimum in cost,of operation. It logically foUows that there js no valid reason why tba owners of capital should incur -any expense in order to safeguard the Uvea of thorn who may be called upon to operate their properties, as they (the owners) as a rule are extremely careful to remain outside of the danger zone themselves. If they do in rare instances participate in the operation of .thair factories, railway or steamship lines, they usually do so from the precincts of the office, where dan-t gar to human life is reduced to the his job. As there would have been no means of proving that fey remaining outside until tho weather cleared an vnwful disaster had been averted, there was every reason why he should have pursued the course he did. It is of little use to complain that the Valencia was an out of date tub, entirely unfit and unsafe for the purpose for which she was used. Transportation facilities are not maintained for the purpose of fitness and safety, but for the purpose of bringing profits to their owners. Any old tub is good enough to take chances with so long as there is a bare possibility of reaching port at all. If such a tub should be successful in making a large number of voyages, many good dollars would remain in the owners' pockets,, that might have, been wasted by discarding her and putting a new vessel in her place. The chances are that from the point of safety and fitness, the Valencia should have been long since discarded, but tbe suspicion remains that in spite of some few thousands of dollars loss by the recent wreck the company is not the loser by keeping her in commission. Lighthouse and coast-guard service costs money. It must'be forthcoming ii at all from capitalist governments. If that section of capitalists engaged in marine transportation desire that such safeguards be amply provided, those sections of the* capitalist class engaged in other lines of plunder will logically rise in objection because their interests do not demand lavish expenditure in this particular line. Their thieving would be better conserved by railway subsidies, tariffs or some other governmental jugglery or sleight-of- hand. So long as the means of production rematin capital and the purpose of their operation be profit, we may, with the utmost confidence, expect this utter disregard for human life and safety to continue. From the standpoint of capital it is far cheaper to kill a few thousands of people annually than to provide such appliances and adopt such regulations in regard to their use as would insure the maximum of safety to all concerned. True, "the cheapest thing on this continent.is human life," and it will grow ever cheaper until the "hands of those who hold revolutionary ideas," have become sufficiently strengthened to enable them to convert the means ol modern industry to their proper use as, the instruments whereby human society as a whole may secure to every individual the right to live by his own labor without being used as a pawn upon the chessboard of a ruling class. Then, a»d not until then, will it be possible to erect necessary safeguards to nfe and limb, because, then, and not until then, will it be to the interest of every member of human society that such precautions be taken. Those who entrust themselves to the tender mercies of modern transportation companies for conveyance from place to place take their lives in their hands by so doing. In the mad race for profits, which is the motive power that induces the madness, an utter disregard for human safety follows as a logical consequence. To attain the desired end the most senseless risks will be taken, with the same abandon, and contempt for possible conne-qbences, as exhibited by the gambler who stakes his all upon the turn of a card. In view of the thick weather, which had' made it necessary for tbe master of tba Valencia to run for hundreds of miles by dead reckoning, prudence should have prompted him to lie off in the open sea until the weather ciaared, before attempting the pas- sag* of so. dangerous a shore line as 4hnt upon which his vessel was wrecked. Had he done so, however, it is safe to assert that he would nave been called to account by his employers and probably have lost BOWSER SCENTS DANGER. Parker Williams' smendment to the "Small Debts Act," which was intended to exempt a workingman's wages up to $100, from a creditor's garnishee, caused Mr. Bowser, who by the way, was elected to the House by workingnien's votes—to get quite a miff- of danger to the interests of his exceedingly honorable profession. It will be remembered tnat the honor attached thereto was briefly referred to by Parker Williams on the floor of the House recently, as reported in the Western Clarion of last week. The ''Small Debts Act," as it now stands, affords an excellent oppor- tun«L^ to the legal "profeah" to acquire proficiency in the art of nagging pestering, brow-beating and bulldozing impecunious small debtors, whether male or female. The practice thus obtained eminently befits them for making general all round nuisances of themselves in dealing with witnesses and others in the high*- er courts later on. This dirty and pestilential practice also affords to numerous ones of this delectable-fraternity tbe means to keep the pot boiling until they succeed in qualifying themselves to land bigger game. Therefore the amendment that proposed to exempt wages up to $100 from assault by small f buzzards was quite sufficient to offend lhe alert olfactories of Mr. Bow ser. While Bowser had nils smeller working he made other and further important discoveries. These lie proclaimed to the assembled legislative multftudqby declaring Use amendment to be. "class legislation of the worst kind.'' In this the astute Bowser uncovered a most peculiar circumstance, one that had lt not bbat tor his presence would probably not have been uncovered by the House. In view of the fact that all legislation under class government must of necessity be class legislation, Bowser's astuteness is phenomenal. In view of the Bowser discovery, it may be inferred that the "Small Act," itself is not class legis lation. It is to be hoped that Bowser'himself will be able to see that it was fiot put upon the Statute books for the benefit of the small debtor class at least. Bowser's insinuation that the amendment was intended as a' "means of helping the workingman to evade his just debts," is of little value in the premises, as anyone at all acquainted with the circumstances obtaining here in Vancouver, Bowser's own bailiwick, knows that it is not the workingmen who "evade their just debts." Some of them may upon occasion be temporarily up against it, but as a rule, they pay for what they get. Mention might be made, however, of a class in the community who spend the most of their time in borrowing from each other to pay their bills, or telling their-creditors to call again. There are some lawyers among them, too. If it was not for the petty relief afforded the vperfesh" by these contemptible "Small Debts Acts" and the like, there would probably be more ot them. **Some of them mtgfati even be driven to perform useful service in order to prolong their existence. No wonder Bowser is worried, although it, is to ibe hoped that his individual security is not threatened by Williams' amendment. It should be comforting to the silly working chumps who elected Bowser, to know that their wages are already protected in the "Small Debts Court to the extent of $30 a month," which is -'sufficient to maintain" their "families." The suggestion may safely be made that the Bowser astuteness was never developed on $30 a month. Bowser is to be congratulated upon heaping such an insult upon the workingmen, especially of his own city. Anything in the shape of a workingman who is so devoid of an understanding of his own interest and welfare and that of his'class, as to use his franchise for the purpose of si*ndirtg*Dow-, ser and nil ilk to parliament, ought to be insulted, only it is an impossibility to do so. It ts claimed that Bowser once upon occasion put out the lights in the City Hall, Vancouver. If he is not more discreet in his language in the House when touching upon these matters affecting the workingmen, they are liable to get wise and snuff his political light out. Anyhow. Bowser Is funny. A great deal more so in fact than M Quads' production. , ,—o CAPITALIZING JAPAN. From one af our Japanese exchanges, ''The Hikart.*' we learn much of value relating to what is going on in the Island Empire in the way or reducing* the producers of that country to the conditions of wage- vassals of capital. Tobacco and salt industries have already been taken over as government monopolies. Numerous largo companies engaged in the manufacturing of beer, sugar, orl, matches, cotton and other lines are amalgamating. The concentration of railway capital is being much talked of, although at present there exists much fierce competition in transportation. It is predicted that the larger companies will absorb the smaller and!consolidation will <-n on as it has in the United States. Msnv of the big capitalists it is reported have doubled their wealth during the war with Russia. Day laborers have increased in a remarkable degree during the past decade. Peasants are flocking into the towns, leaving their lands barren behind them. Graduates of higher schools are finding it difficult to obtain employment. The middle class is rapidly sinking! into and becoming submerged among the lower classes.. The contrast between the poor and rich is each day becoming more pronounced. "Dividends, profits, mansions, villas, carriages, banr-jjet-*, holiday trips, concubDnes, geisha- girls, etc., are the life of the wealthy, while long-hours, scanty wages, slums, rags, drinking, profligacy, quarrels, stealing, murder, etc., are that of the poor," Soldiers and sailors are tbe sons of the poorer classes, as the sons of the rich escape military duty by various excuses. The right of suffrage is limited to the well-to-do. Marshals and Generals are coming back front the war, and triumphal arches art being erected in various towns and cities.' They are welcomed with "Rentals," but "we can well hear the, grievous cry of the unemployed in the bottom of the Banzai." It is -expected thero will be as many as 800,000 unemployed when all have returned from the war. Young women are used in the railway stations as ticket attern, and in other work. They are not given employment unless single. Newspa*- pers are either tbe tools of the government or of individual capitalists. While some profess independence they arc used merely for money making purpose, and never for that of promulgating princtiples of measures for the uplift of the poor. Buddhism is the best friend of tho Imperial house; it is based upon the superstition of the poorer classes. Christianity is also endearing Itself to the rulingiclass b.v preaching can- tentment and obedience to the poor. Political parties are synonymous with grafting organizations. The Diet is the place where graft is legalized. Togo and Oyaona arc worshipped as demi-gods, etc. The above gleaned from "The Hiker!" indicates everything gx>inn on quite in conformity with the usual capitalist fashion in other countries, ln fact what is written of Japan could be made to read with equal truth of any other capitalist country by a mere change of names. May the Japanese workers speedily attain sufficient wisdom to break tho chains that capitalism is now forging upon their limbs, instead of wearing them for centuries aa badges of honor as have the white slaves of this continent and Europe. The Chicago American, in referring to the sweatshop workerSwpf -that city uses these words: "Brave slaves of cruel system in Chicago put $20 in tho bank in nine years." But a few jeers ago it was considered something awful when the Socialist applied the terra "Slave" to the modern worker. Now it is itfuite the fashion to do so, and besides, it is tho proper term in every sense of the word. o The S8n Francisco Chronicle asserts that at 26 Broadway, New York, is located the most effective Socialist propaganda club in tbe world. As every one knows, that is the office of the Stanslard Oil Company. As this concern represents one of the largest combinations of capital on earth and is continually adding to its enormous power by cruching smaller concerns and absorbing their capital, there is little doubt but what is, at least in an indirect way, doing much to prove the soundness of the Socialist position and bring converts to its support, let the good work continue. Manufacturers in the United States] are becoming alarmed over the threatening competition of the Japanese capitalists, especially ln the line of cotton yams and fabrics. Competition is'the life of trade. So we have been taught at least. So thore is nothing to kick about. o BRITISH ELECTION RETURNS. BURNLEY. Maddison (elected) Lab-lib 5.288 A. Arbuthnot. Con 4.964 M. Hyndman. Socialist .... 4.932 BRADFORD, (West.) F. M. Jowett. (elected, Soc., Ijabor 4,957 Sir E. Flower, Con 4.187 W. Claridge, Lib > 3 680 BRADFORD, (East.) W, E. Priestly (elected) Lib... 6,185 Sir Vincent Caillard, Con 4,27,7 E. R. Hartley, Socialist 8,040 ROCHDALE. Col. C. M. Royds. Con 4.449 S. G. Hobson, Socialist 2,500 Ijabor candidates in North East and South West Manchester, returned by majorities of 2,432 snd 1.226. HALIFAX. J. H. Whitley, Lib. (elected) 9,354 J. Parker, Lab.-Soc. (elected) 8.937 Sir Sairle Crossley, Con 5,041 It is claimed that where 88 per cent, of the strikes which occurred in Italy during 1901 succeeded, and In 1902, 87 per cent,, during thc year just closed but about one-third were successful. This shows the diminishing value of this crude method of industrial warfare as capitalist production becomes more/highly develop ed. It is about time it was alien' dotted. J Cnwaan Bias. a. 0. torsos-jacx. Om. C. HcCwwus. •tHO, MYMR.MM i efcCMMM BAKRISTIM, S0UCIT0I". ITC. Tel. IM p.o. Box tax IC. ASA WORKING TOOL for the student and the writer, as an authoritative reference book for schools, teachers, families, business and professional men, there it one book which offers superior advantages in the solid value of its information, and the ease with which it is obtained.' One's admiration for Webster's Int«vrnation*U Dictionary increeaes daily as it comes to be better known. It never refuses the inf or mation sought and it never overwhelms one with a mass of misinformation illogically arranged. _ The St. James Gasetto of London, England, says: For the teacher, the pu pfl, tha student smd the litterat-ur, there b nothing batter; it coven *v«rvthtng. Ths Mew sad aVslsrssd aVltUoa mmaUy tax sued hss tt-jflOO new words and pluses*, a eossj psttely revised Blags-ash*)*! IMsttoamy an* OasBttear of the World, SM OluttraUoM. Onr name Is sn the trees-pec** of an the autlKmt ki Slotloaai-Hs of Iks Webster wmrms " LET US SEND YOU FREE -A Test in WsmxsaatsUaa", which PLATFORM 25553 iWawm of the Wwtio Unite" \s&# o^m F jUhibri Directory When They Meet; Worn Toe* Meet. aaSf-Knty Ubor Cntoa la ths POM to place * card under this ' Booth. Secretaries plea** 1 as* I* i. h-w pe> Phoenix Trades and Labor Council Meets every alternate Monday President. M. J. Ollll*; Vice-President. M. Lsnicu*. Sergeant-**. Arms, T. B. Cosgrove; Secretarv- Treasurer. Webster Rogers. P. o. Box. 198. Phoenix. B. 0. p|»*»*nt and imtruotlv* •venin**'* entertain stent. Illiietratwil patuphlst also free. m (i.SV.uitknUAMtXi.,}yb^»vrtaMlte^Uam We, the Socialist Party of Canada, In convention assembled, affirm our allegiance to and support of the principles and program of tbe international revolutionary working class. Labor produces all wealth, and to labor it should justly belong. To the owners of the means of wealth production belongs the product oi labor. The present economic system Is based upon capitalist owner- snip of the means of wealth production; therefore all the products of labor belong to the capitalist class. The capitalist Is master; the worker la slave. 80 long as the capitalists ia possession of the reins of ment all the powers of the state will be used to protect and defend their property rights in the means of wealth production and their control of tha product of labor. The capitalist system gives to tha capitalist an ever-swellintr stream of profits, and to the worker aa Incrc-aMttg measure of misery degradation. The interest of the working clans lies in the direction of setting Itself free from capitalist exploitation by the abolition of tbe wage system. To accomplish this necessitatee tbe transformation of capitalist property in the means of wealth production into collective or working-class property. The irrepressible conflict of interests between the capitalist and the worker is rapidly culminating In a struggle for possession of the power of government—the capitalist to hold the worker to secure it by political action. This is the class strujacle. Therefore, we call upon aH workers to orgsutlze under the bantter of the Socialist Party of Canada with the object of conquering the public powers for the purpose of aeitln* up and enforcing the economic program of the working class, as follow*: 1. The transformation as rapid) v as possible, of capitalist property in the rrieans of wealth production (natural resources, factories, mills, railways, etc.,) Into the collective pro- party of the working class. 2. Thorough and democratic organization and uiaaagenient of industry by the workers. 3. The establishment, as speedily as possible, of production for use Instead of production for profit. Tbe Socialist Party, when in ofnce shall always and everywhere until tbe piesent system Is abolished, make the answer to this question Ita guiding rule of conduct. Will this legislation advance the Interests of ths working class aad aid the workers in their class struggle against capitalism? If It will, the Socialist Party Is for it; If It will not, the Socialist Party is absolutely o\amn ed to it. In accordance with this principle the Socialist Party pledges Itself to conduct all the public affairs placed la its hands In such a manner as to promote the interesu of tha Ing class alone. Union, No. I, VV. F. M. Meets ever); Saturday evening at 7.30 o'clock in Miner*1 hall. V. Ingram, president; W. A. Plckard, secretary. *m* yfldi-i.1 Direckv WW9mWtmWm •wEwVVBVBI fMTEvery Local of the Bodallst Party of Canada should run a earl under this bead. 11.00 par month. Secretaries please note. BRITISH COLUMBIA PROVINCIAL Kxi-cuttve Committee, Soc*nli«i Party of Canada, meets 2nd and 4th Tuesday in each month. W. H. Flowers, Htrratary. R. 8., 222 Prior Street. DOMINION EXECUTIVE COMMITTER, Socialist Party of Canada, meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday in the Month. J. 0. Morgan. Secretary, SSI Bernard Street. Vancouver. II. C. LOCAL VANCOUVER, MO. I. S.P. of Canada. Rusiaw mry Monday evening ai I tars. Ingleside Block. SIS Street, (room 1. second nbor.) BM- ucatioasl matting* every Sunday at 8 o'clock pm.. la Bulllvaa Hall. Cordova Street. 0. P. MILLS. Secretary. Box 886, Vaarouvar B. C. Hal) LOCAL TORONTO -! aad 4th Tuesday*. Bathurst Bt. F. Daw, 41 Heary street, W. O. Oribbia, organiser, 180 Hogarth Asa. WANTED: by Chicago house, special representative far each province in Canada. Balmy •20.00 and axpanma paid weakly. Esptns* money advanced. Business successful; position permaaasi. No invest ment required Previous experience not sas—tlsl ta engaging. Address General Manager. 182 Lata Bt. Chicago. 111., U.a.A. LEARN TEI.EGHAPHY and R. R. ACCOUNTING. 860 ta #100 pm month salary assured our graduate* under bond. Yon doa't pay a* until you have a position system of telegraph ocbaol* erica. Endorsed by all railway «•> Oclsls. OPERATOR* ALWAVt IN DEMAND. Ladles also tad. Writs for catalogue, school of Telegiapby, ClartanatM. O.: Buffalo. N. Y.; Atlanta. On.; La Cross*. Wis.; Tsxarkaaa, Ta*.; Saa f ranciaco, Cal. APPUCATION FOR MEM- BKHftllfP IN THE SOCIAL* 1ST PARTY OF CANADA. hereby apply for membership I, THE UNDERSIGNED. In Local Socialist Party of Canada. 1 recognise the class struggle between the capitalist class and the working class to be a struggle for political supremacy, I. *., possession of the reins of government, suid whleh necessitates tha organisation of th* worker* Into a political party distinct from aad opposed to all parties of th* capitalist claaa. If admitted to membership, I hereby sgree to maintain or enter Into no relations with any other political party, and pledge myself to support by voice, vote and all other legitimate meana the ticket and th* - program of the Socialist Party of Canada only. Applicant Address Occupation... ... Age., Cltlsen Admitted to Local... .. .1W.. Chairman. '. Rec-Sec. eW SIJBSCRIBEMR TAKE NOTICM. This iH-ue is No. 358. If thll • number npga j ■ubacripttoa exptrm with number. If further coptm am •d. renewal should ha mad* ai If car* I* taken to expiration of th* old will greatly simplify mattar* office a* wall aa avoid may break receipt of paper*. am R8TABLIBHRO 1894 The VOICE lb* mat Uam fata ta Always a fearlc 1 exponent f tabor. 2B in la* For one dollar tbe paper will at sent to any addiess for on* year. Workingman of *ji eonntrk* will soon recognise th* fact tbat tha* intoi Mpport aad read thair tabor papers. lamed every Friday. TN Vsics NIMMh Co., Ikatttf WINNIPKO, MAM. Mi ners'Magazine Published Wmkty try tba mM99ewfw W 99wWma*^9as w* aaawat^tmw A Vigorous Advocate ol Causa. Clear-Cut aad Aggrsmlv*. PM- Y**r $1.00. BU Month*. bOa. Address. MINERS' MAOAZINB, Dsnvar. Colorado. ATEMS i.i'j'.r^ivdi^ii.iv: other* who realise the ii4V*Btls> ity ef ta-rlsaUsclr Fatcst buslae**trams**** t^jtss^rta I^li*slnary*d»lc«tre*. Char*** MCMarratt. Ow hsvMstar** A*V*»*r orat stye Five yearly pub. card8-$3.75. 511&iVifa.^wSa«S^i* ' 1 0^^ r\>*X* ^'' V^^-HUWUS^^H\SH0li)i.burAS PEST IN H C (U."^^S •BUM ■HUss-ilr tsiwSiinwiHMifiii.-iii.il m i*~i— ^n.^-TO***.?; _____ ■■LMMLMLfJHMBi SATURDAY, FEB. B, i»06. i sn* Provincial Parliament (Continued From Page One.) Mr. Oliver—"No, no." Ur Hawthornthwaite—"Well, . eUl ,he honorable gentlmnatt rim in his la,e and nay that It is not true. ..B<i that he finds no difficulty In dis, polling of hi* surplus produce? ur Oliver—"! would inform thc hoiwrabte gwtleman that when 1 find any difficulty in disposing of my produce I am not coming to this House for relief. 1 attend to my own busines**'' lOtasowitiod an- ■.inudB.) I want Just to *ay that the honorable gentleman made some incorrect -.taUjments." j he Speaker—"Out of order, You .an say anything after the gentleman who has tho floor ha* finished his speech." Mr. Hawthornthwaite — ''Well, if the honorable gentleman cannot answer my question that he cannot dispose of what he jiroduce* " Mr. Oliver — "I never mid anything." Mr llawthornthwalt* — *W*1I, if h<- will tell the truth that will - din* •i.,-.. of it. Of course he is not coining to thiH House for relief. It is -veil known that the honorable sren- ti.iiiun has a good hank account, Im*. numerous land* to dispose of before he reaches that position. At the same time he aamal* about being compelled fo pay a few cents extra in taxes to help nis neighbors who are in dire distress. let me t,-ll him if he were In their position ti,. would come with his hand and lull on bis knees and ask thi* Houa- t,.r relief." (laughter.) "rhe people of Dewdbey today are in a precarious position and their land is likely to be taken from ibeta. The premier has introduced this bill to give them relief and I think it should lie granted. The member for the Island* (Mr. Pater- umi oppost-d this legislation a* he upponed the legislation of last year on the grounds that fawner* tn olher municipalities have already to pa\ enough rn taxes without shouldering the burdens of other place*. Hut low about the Liberal Uovero- un-i.i a' Ottawa which he supports? I mu -ha< the farmer* of this Pro- Mi... in. being turned by Uie Liberal-, nt Ottawa in the matter of t*s- jition nnd are compelled to pay an undue Hhare on everything they umi. They cannot sell thnr produce and i.i.' taxed to an enonnoun extent l.v the Oovernmrnt at Ottawa, hy the liiipl.-tueiii men, and by the good groceryman spoken of by the third member for Vanrouvs-*-, (Mr. liowser). I'nder thene clrrumatanres, 1 think it only (sir to tht'fie |w-o|M> to give them tl*.* relief asked for on the floor nf thi* limits*." (Applause*.)i A* -KMin as Mr lUwthomthwaite had concluded. Mr. Oliver rose to hi* feet. "Mr Spatter." he said. -It has been r ••■-. atedl.v aseerted in thi« House, and I IsOims. even I— a Minister of the Crown, that the district 1 r-i.r.-sr-nt, only pay* some M.oOO a year into the Provincial 'I'rwaNury " Mr liowser—"I would like to auk the honorable gentleman what tha Municipality of IWt«v doe* pay?" Mr Oliver—"| -.hall he able to n«- lertnin that when tht* Oovemnvmt inaugurates n better system of book- ketplng." (Opposition laughter and .'I |»j-IIIIS**!. ) Mr Hawthornthwaite-. v]t »vma to nu- that the. honor alii., gentleman don. not know what he 1* talking about Ile first tells the House that a certain thing I* not true and then he gets up and says that, owing to the hook-keeping he cannot **- certain whether It is true or not." II .nughter.) Mr. liowser spoke at some length in xupport of the Rill, mabstantiat- "'K Mr. HswthornthwaiU'a atate- inent uls.hi the Municipality of Helta b.v showing from figures from the public n count* that that district rweived from the Provincial Treasury «i7,000 , yaar more than it ('iud In. Mr Maedonald, leader of the Opposition, expre**.*,! deep sympathy for the people of Dewdnev. but was opiNiNed to the principle of the Bill. He thought th* matter should be J «•>■ carefully inquired into before •he ftill was alln-Nut »A n._ Ik.. Hon it tag wgtm fjLutioy. tiMjftgm, tana Columbia, was allowed to pau tho Mr. Stuart Henderson agreed with his leader .nd moved that tbe House appoint a sawcial committee of five to ir.--.iirr into the clrcumsyanres of the Dewdney Municipality and report to the House. Mr. Oliver «Jaln attacked (ho Oov- ernment saying that they wero compromising with a graapinr and greedy corporation, and the Houmiaoul ■«' fully informed on all (he clrcum- Ntanies before the Rill was passed *r Hawthornthwaite mid the al- leged leader of th* Opposition, the inomlier for Romlnnd, was following out his old practice of expressing ayinimthy for people „& than vot- ]n* •*■*■* measurm for their rein*. Th0 tuMitour tor riel*a hia "I'oknn of one of the Loan Compan Z* a? * *r»sping and greedy cor- iir! y*' **A yBt "• cou»d »ot OM,v 'nat this grasping snd greedy cor- i»or«tion WM prop,,^ (0 rojj,,, a """promise in (hi* matter invorvioe o reduction in the debt, that was duo ""some thousand* of dollar*. Mr Oliver-Well, we want to know id-out that. x,J?i*_?*wthorn(hwalte said he wa* hi»s ihat th" P-OP'* «" »>wiJbsey af*. EI? abm,t th|- "Ofk » ta bu- ;™r,".r0 • m-nn«r a* was pomiblo u,7?Tj.I:he c'rcurMtaaces. Hc aereed with the member tor Delta that it of ii*lUnlsWr t0 ima*t* on the people . IH? 2 out",<k> tiw ***"• ***" Haifa *L •18.000. and ho, (Mr. hawthornthwaite) Intended to move 'n commlttw to strike out that i^"? *ml ••■«*" the Province to rfSLi . wMo -nrtobtertness. (Oppo- sune? J***""-' That wa* the wCtl *? "ou»<» **«* and allow tho »■»*» rt*bt of m,<m t0 to mivta out. 'As It Btood, one or tw0 farmer* in that district were well oil and laughed at the rest who would have to struggle to pay this debt. He considered this unfair, and would take tbe only way In which it could be remedied. Divisions were then taken both on the amendment and tho BUI. The amendment was first voted on as follows: Nays—Messrs. Davidson, Williams, Hawthornthwaite, Tntlow, McBride, Cotton, Clifford, Bowser, A. McDonald, Oreen, Fulton, Oarden, Wright. 'Young, Clifford. Maogowan, Shatford Oranl, Mniinon—19. Yeas—Messrs. Drury, McNiven. Evans. Murphy, Jones, Oliver, J. A. Maedonald, Iti-niiesson, Munro, Pat- erson, Wells, Cameron, Ellison—18. Bill.read *. second time on the following division: Yeas—Messrs. Davidson, Williams, Hawthornthwaite, Tatlow, McBride, Cotton, Ellison, Clifford, Bowser, A. McDonald, Oreen, Fulton, Garden, Wright, Young, Oifford, Mac- gowan, Shatford, Grant, Manson.— 20. "Nays—Messrs. Drury, McNiven, Bv* ami. Murphy. .Jones, Oliver, J. A. Maedonald, Henderson, Munro, Peterson. Wells, Cameron—12. PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS ACT. Mr. Hawthornthwaite in uiovin.- tho sn-ond rending of the "Procln- cial Elections Act" for thc purpose of reducing the deposit of candidates from 9200 to $50, said the Hill had lK»-n before the House on several occasions already, and had been defeated by narrow majorities, though both parties pretended to stand for manhood suffrage on th<-ir platforms and yet when steps were taken to remove all obstacles ln the way of a proper expression of opinion at the polls they found a number of men in tbe House apposed to it. This opp.isili.iri was owing chiefly to the liberal party, and he failed to saw* how the.v could reconcile their platform uf reform with their stand on Oils matter. When this measure was brought ur a year ago, the unfair tactics was introduced of choking It off by moving adjourrmswit after adjour-t-amnt. One of the libera) members excused the action of his party ■r» laving that they were going to vote on a similar measure proposed by himself. •H there is one thing to be gained by bringing up this measure now," said Mr. Hawthornthwaite, "It is that it will show who are the men who persistently stand in the way of its adoption. When wck**o in different portiofj* of (he world today disturbances going on that arc a disgrace to our civilization, and I would point out to you that sililar disturbance* in this country are not so far distant as you would believe. I believe that the United Slates, the country ad/ointng us is on the eve of an internal revohitkm, a bloody revolution, and that a scene of desolation and bloodshed will spread over the land such as the world has never ««w*n before. 'Ibese things are being brought about in two ways, one by the oppressions of vast corporations and trust*, and the other by election frauds of enormous magnitude. It was found in the recent election in the city of New York, that no he* than 4O.000 fraudulent ballots were cast. Thi* is one of the obstacles In tbe way of a free Expression of that opinion. The Rot-r war was now admitted to be a mistake which could have ho-n avoided had the people been • given the ballot as they should haw been. Mr. Hawthornthwaite continued that though we were shocked bv the elections in the I'nitod States we were not altoaether free from that sort of thing here, as was shown by the recent elections in Alberta and Saskatchewan, where money was spent like water to corrupt the electorate. At least, if all were true that was said of the elections in those provinces we could not afford to point the finger of acorn at the people in the United States. Of course, conditions in the United State* were more favorable to such a condition of affairs as he was alluding to than possibly the.v were anywhere else. A few years ago, only 10 per cent, of the people of the United States were unitmployexl, and today It was said that 40 per cent, nf the people were unemployid half the year round. That kind of thing I could not continue without bringing trouble. The method adopted in Hussia of a big general strike would obtain voguo in the Dai ted State*, and would precipitaui a bloody revolution. That was a condition of affairs that the Socialist* wished to avoid in Canada. -Delegates from those organizations ln the United States that were agitating for a general strike had Imn sent to Canada to urge action on .similar lines here. "Our Party, however," mid Mr. Hawthornthwaite, "is opposed to that. We believe that under Uie British Aag thnt reforms can be introduced by legal and proper methods, and In view of that position it is the duty of every man in this House by his voto and voice to remove every obstacle that prevents the people from expressing their desires ln a logitiinatfl way. I ask thorn to assist mo by voting for this Bill and removing that difficulty out of the way of the electors of Brltl-h Columbia." (Applause.) Mr. liowser moved the adjoui-uiuentj of the debate, and the Bill has not come up for discussion since. Mr. *I.'H. Hawthornthwaito's''Act to amend the Coal Mines Regulations Act," is now in the hands of the Mining Committee of the House, who are trying to add to it to make It more effective for tho object, for which it ls designed, namely, the safety of the men working in underground mines. Some regulations will be added in relation to men returning to fuses that have failed to explode, and matters of a similar nature. When the Bill was called for second reading, Mr. Hawthornthwaite asked that it might lie held over for «• while to see what ■Amendment* tho Committee on Mining could make to it. Thore Is universal approval of Mr. Hawthorn- thwaito's sffort to Institute a sys tem of!speedy relief for Injured miners. On Tuesday, the Finance Minister, (Hon. Mr. Tatlow) moved in the House the second reading of "Ah Art to amend the Assessment Act, 1903." He explained that one of Its objects was to correct some misunderstandings about the Income Tax, and to insure the payment of a four per cent, tax by all persons having an income exceeding $10,000 a year. It also provided that anyone having over $2,000 worth of real property in any one district, must pay the higher rate of taxation which obtained above that amount. It provided besides for the confiscation of mineral claims which the owners failed to redeem within one year after they had been sold for taxes. Speaking cm the Bill, Mr. Hawthornthwaite said: "Before the Bill passes this stage, I would like to make a few remarks on it. As far as the Minister of Finance goes, the Province is very fortunate m securing his services. We often say that under the capitalist system a man does not of ten. find his true vocation but the Minister of Finance is an exception to that rule. Somettnes, however, he overlooks things, as a little instance of which I would simply call attention to one of these little paste-boxes with which every member is supplied. Each of these contains a little well for water to keep the paste moist, but at the present time if a member wants to seal a letter, he mlist spit through the brush. (Ieughter.) Speaking of this particular measure, in that portion regarding the taxation of improvements through the Province, by -our sugjamtions, ex- S'liipUon was made last year for the benefit of the small farmers, that they, Instead of the large farmers, might receive the benefit of Uie .Vet. It was agreed that land up to $2,- 000, should be taxed only ono-f-fth of one per cent.. But what did we find? Iruring the past mimroer some emmissaries of the Honorable gentlemen, called assessors, were sent out through the country, ,,ud when they found that anyone was taxed under the $2,000 rate they raised the assessment over lhat amount, and placed'it in the higher class. So far as the farmers are concern-d, I agree with the view expressed by Use honorable member for Delta, (Mr. .lohn Oliver) on the floor of this House H'year or two ago, when he said he did not see! why thc farmer should be taxed more largely than any other inihvidual coming under trie Act. As it stands, no one is taxed on income under $1000 per annum, and I do not see why this provision should not apply to the farmer. I would suggest that before this Bill reaches Committee the Government will make provisions in it to that effect, and if they do not do so. then I will be under an obligation to introduce the aiiH-wtment myself. Provided that a fanner's income do«*s not exceed $1,000 per annum he should be exempt from taxation. I think these men are at k*ast as much entitled to that as others. 1 would draw attention also to Section IH of this Bill. It would appear from it that miners throujirh- out the Province who have taken up mineral claims but have failed for some reason or other to keep their taxes paid up will be subject to a hardship. It provides that if the owners of surface rights tail to pay thc taxes to redeem this property within the allot ed time after it has been sold, that property will be confiscated to the Government. I am satisfied that this was not the intention of the Hon. Finance Minister, but certainly some provision should be made to give these men moro chance to hold their land. A little further down in the ninth line of the same section you find that improvements are also to be confiscated without regard to any other interests thin those of the Government. Now it is quite possible that someone might have an interest in the mine—a mortgsge for instance—but under this secflion theiri rights would be absolutely confiscated. I would draw the attention of Use bon. Finance Minister to these* things* with the hope, that when the Bill comes luto the next stage some provision will be made for remedying these defects, more especially for Uie sake, of Uie farmers to whom I have referred. Mr. .las. Murphy, of Cargjoo. mov. ed the adjournment of the debate. Hawthornthwaite's Amendment to The lend A-*sessment Act. When the "AsM-ssnient Act" came into committee, Mr. Hawthornthwaite moved his amendment as follows: "Provided afways, that where a former owns, residas upon and cul- tsvates a portion of land not exceeding one hundred and sixty acres in oxtent, and where the aiisessod value of such land does not exceed ftvo thousand dollars, and the income derived from the cultivation of said land does not exceed one thousand dollars per annum, the said land shall be exempt from taxation." Mr. J. H. Hnwthor«Mjfcwalte explained that he put the amendment in order to give the Government a chance to rerteem the pledges given to the House two year* ago. At that time tbe credit of the Province was bad, and it was necessary to take some steps to re-establish It. Tho Government appealed to Uie House to help It in the work, and that help was given. On that appeal, tho Government miccetaded in carrying the act at that time, and their moasures had resulted In largely decreased expenditure in the Province, and in the face of this, the amount of taxation reouired wa* vory big Indeed. They were assured that when there was a substantial sum In the Treasury, steps would bo taken to relieve the peoplo from this heavy taxation. Now the credit of the Province had been re-established, the Government had a handsome- surplus on hand, and there) was no necessity for increasing that amount. The Speech from ths Throne refer red to the general prosperity of the Province, but that prosperity was simply confined to Uie capitalist class. The position of the workanp- man was not a jot better than it had boon If anything, it wes growing steadily worse, and the farmers of the Province were in precisely the same position, since they beard in country districts a constant cry from them that they were unable to dispose of their produce. Instead of the prosperity of the capitalists beneficially affecting these people, it was gradually leading to their extermination. They, had not yet. arrived at that condition, but were hurrying towards it, and in the meantime they should do what they could to relieve them and make them as happy as possible In the conditions under which they lived. Another argument which be wished to lay before tbe House and to which his attention had first been called by the member for Delta was the fact that tho farmer was the only man who paid taxes on income under $1,000. If this amount became law, it would place him in the same position as every other workman and business man in this Province. (Applause.) Hon. Mr. Tatlow, Minister of Finance, regretted that he could not accept the amendment, as it would mean that three-fourths of the farmers of the country would be struck off the Assessment Roll, and the finance of tbe country, though better than they had been, were not in a position for tbat yet. The deficiency of the Chinese restriction tax would have to be made up in future, and it would be practica.ly impossible to reduce taxation further at present, though his personal idea was that all taxation should he derived from real estate and income tax. Messrs. Tanner. Evans and Pater- son, of the Opposition, all spoKe against the amendment, Mr. Tanner terming it a scheme of political charity, which no self-respecUng farmer should ask for. Mr. Parker Williams said he had his complaint to make about the interpretation of the Assessment Act by agents of tbe Government. It simply knocked tbe small farmer on his back. One of these crenUe- men came around his district last Summer, and where he found a farmer assessed at only $1,300. promptly raised it above thc $2,000 mark so that he would come 'under the higher rate. The member of Saan- ich talked about farmers not wishing to come to the House for charity, but you had only to whisper that it was of any use to them to come, and you would see thetn here all right. (Laughter.) They booaC of it being cowardly in people to wish to avoid taxation altogether, so that it could be seen that the wealthiest people in the Province- were not above receiving charity of this kind. faxes is something lhat no one will pay if the law or the Lord will show them the way out of it. (Ijaughter.) If things were put into proper shape, the o)ues- tion of direct taxation in this Province should not bother thenn. If the natural resources were properly taxed the total revenue nejuired for the Province could be derived from them with ease. He did not believe it right that the timber and minin- industries of the country should go to build up a few- millionaires in Toronto and Montreal, while it was left to the farmers to sustain tlie greater part of the taxation of Uie Province. The dividends of the Crow's Nest Pass Coal Co., alone, would pay every cent reojuired 10 maintain the Government of Uie country. As far as exempting the farmer with an income under $1,000 went, the same logic could be used in support of that as in the support of the exemption to thc same amount in the case of any other business man. The only difference was in the vast majority of cases the farmer had to lead a life that was Infinitely poorer and harder than that of the ordinary man,. and if one class more than another de-serviil special consideration it was tlie farmers. The amendment was put to the House and defeated by an overwhelm ing majority, its only supporters being Messrs. Hawthornthwaite, Williams, Davidson, Houston and Wright. o Let the Clarion print your printing. Tel. 824. Box 83G. T~S SEWING mACHINB. tOLLEt BBARINO. HIGH THRU. Save Money by buying that reliable, hone* high grade *ew tng machina. STRONGEST GUARAMTEE. Ndtrorvil Sewing Machine Co.. SAN rKANCISCO. CAL. PACTORY AT Ml.VtDBajL ILL. Big REDUCTION Sale INMERCHANT TAILORING Wc Have Removed trom Victoria AL,V OUR Fall And Winter Stock. Must be Sold Before Spring Goods Arrive j& j& j& Cheapest Bargains in the City Give Us a Trial. Fit Guaranteed. Charlie Dunn, 100 Hastings Street Vancouver, B. C. ~ Out {Victoria Advertisers ~ Patronize Them and Tell Them Why. FALL SUITING From 925.00 Up. E. SHAPER, , 12 Broad Street, Victoria,B. C. Colonial Bakery 39 Johnsoa St.. Victoria, tfi. UM0« MAOE BICAO Ml CAKfl rit». a*k Delivered to any part tt th* elt Driver to call. 'Phono Do you know we sell from 10 to cents cheaper than our com] -HASHES' FAIR res .a. CKAiraz, 71 atwnmttt Stmt, Vktwii, a. & TmkMsAM CO*VRICMT«*te. An-roo* sen-llni a sketch ex-el oeeerlj -.tickle a*c*rula our opinion fre* w Invent-on l» arotMblr P»l«>«»* Uoa*etrictltmnlMontlal. MM) Pstenu taken : aawner for tnroa-rh Mann *i ■■sets' oatict, without chenew, la ta* Scientific Americas* a BaadeomelT Illustrated weekly. caUtK.n of any eetonuae tooroal. year: four aKmlie,»U SoMbysJl b*w-h tea^;rsBB HAB0LD BURNETT NEWS AGENT. ,. 'm Vlsjtarla General Agent for Th* ——--*—(g TIMES _1ND OREGONIAN 'IUNC18CO CHRONICLE RANC18CO EXAMINER NGELE8 EXAMINER .KbELEP TIMES .OO AMERICA.** JK AMERICAN IPjYLVANIA GRIT ORK AMERICAN- HERALD * ; " NEWS «■ •' TELEGRAPH " . " WORLD • Also handles San Francisco Sua- amy Battetin and Call. Prompt and aagalar dally delivery servlca to .0.10x444, Victoria, B. C. MMIIIIMIM M TELEPHONE B779 EMY BEHNSEN A Co. Iirtr ll CIGARS i aiwViwBwtrt It f A. B.C. United Hatters o North America WESTERN CLARION • yaarty sub. cards for $3.75. xtmaaaet of 35 or more copies to s a* awMjess. for a period of three *r more at the rat* of one it par copy. Htrtnixe onr advertisers. bambaj a FOR BUT *ea t* It that * l*Ms ta stmat la It. 11 a rotallor I* at* possi—lon aa* offer* te pat f*y tam. to not patronize bin. La-oat *r* couatasrfelta. Th* gatiataa o* four e-df**. Meetly th* p. CouatarMt* ar* mid*. eel*-**, east aome lima* only 0*.. of PaUadeljjhJa Is a Trasumb Oraaaa. K. J. £*cr*t*nr. 11 Waverly Plas* MATCH S LIGHT There is no home too i ling should use it—everybody at**w>|d mat it The children—bless themt <**yjcaana •trie Light. Every dwel- and burn the house down. Wt-ctrie Light. lt ran be lighted or 'upset the Electric Light do no harm whatever with lamps to clean, no smell at Coal; Oil, aa dtsflgureeaent of wall*. When a small amount at tight (I* lta*-wd, 6 or 10 candle power lamps may be Installed*, thn* re^rtag the total expense ot light ing by this method Call and see us in refei by a touch of the button. No sflgurement of wall*. 6 or 10 candle pow- tho place of your Coal OU B.C. ELECTRIC to |aifr»1wt Electric Light to take WAY CO. OUR Cascade Beer Queen Beer Ale and Stent Sells all Over the Country Specially Re-commended. The Vancouver Breweries, Ltd. Telo-pboe-.e 429 11 I . *; M'r il u. - ■3 •MHsaH Fotrt trrneia THE WEBTEEN QLARtfrH, VANCOUVER BRfflSg OOLPlftBiA. WMiw_a^BaM-wwwBWlw>wwwvwiw,^MWMMiWB.>*M-a^.^MBa^Ba saturdax. tzti. 3, iooe. 31 1 j 18 'J I !i NEWS AND VIEWS :r^=-^:g^*s ■wjw«Bew«*w'*iw J *»ij*»»wsi*w*.*w AS GIVEN OR EXPRESSED BV SOCIALISTS THROUGHOUT THE DOMINION | Mtvtwi by R. P. PETnPIECE, to whom all correspondence for thia department sliould be atJdre-jj-eed. w SECRETARIES PLEASE NOTE. Wlille it ia possible for the editor of "News and Views" to secure ac- caw to the Party'correspondence of both the B. C. Provincial Secretary (Com. Flowers), and the Hominion Executive Secretary, (Com. Morgan), much better results could be attained were the Secretaries of all Locals to send their Party news direct. Address: ">R. P. Pettipiece, .Vancouver. B. C." ' It can be fittingly said of General Oriaznoff, chief of the staff of the Viceroy of the Caucasus, that he "got it in the neck." Japan is destined to become thoroughly capitalized in the near future. A million unemployed already, and General Booth is on his way to Tokyo. "The recent elections in England" from a Canadian Socialist standpoint, will be the subject of an article in next issue, by a Vancouver comrade. K Vancouver Local held no propagan-» da meeting last Sunday. The committee are endeavoring to again arrange for Sullivan Hall, until outside speakers can be arranged for. If the Clarion'does not contain enough news & the Socialist movemen to suit some of its readers, let them proceed to send some in from their locality. If there is no news, start in agitating and make some. The Municipal ownership wave has struck Vancouver. The wages of civic employees will still be determined by the condition of the labor market. A bare existence will be the portion ot those who do ■ the work. If the $13,000,000 of dividends declared by the Canadian Pacific Railway last year hajd been added to the wages of the men who produced it, do you think the "incentive" of the employees would have been destroyed? VICTORIA, B. 0. By H. Burnett. The A.O.U.W. Hall was packed to the doors Monday evening, 29th inst., the occasion being a lecture by Comrade Mrs. Irene Smith, on 'Woman's Suffrage," with speeches by Comrades Hawthornthwaite and Williams, and Mr. Davidson, M.P.P. Comrade Marcon presided, and after brief speeches by the three Labor members of parliament, Comrade Smith, began her address, which was very lengthy and proved highly interesting to the large audience present who listened with rapt attention till nearly eleven o'clock. The bulk of Comrade Smith's audience comprised people who were comparative strangers at Socialist meetings, so sho started out with tracing the evolution of human society from savagery and barbarism down to the present stage of our modern capitalist development. Woman's sphere ln these evoLvin statse&l of the race was finely described by the speaker. Then the present day was dealt with. In very telling! la»- miage, Comrade Smith described the conditions under which woman labored in the large industrial centres, where wages were at the starvation point, where it was an impossibility for them to keep up a respectable appearance, and hence the growing army of prostitutes *.nd suicides throughout the land. She told of woman supplanting man in the industrial arena, and hence the ever- increasing army of tramps and n'er- do-wells. Woman must emancipate herself, by first of all studying out for themselves this great social problem, never resting, content until the ballot paper was in their hand, and they were on the same ecfual plane as their lord and master—Man. Some literature was sold, a good- sized collection taken up, and all went,home seemingly edified by the instructive discourse rendered iby our comrade from Uncle Sam's big farm. It would certainly be an awful pity if some of the '"homes" provided under capitalism were 'destroyed." Counties* numbers cf them would not be fit to keep decent dogs in under Socialism. The machine-drill for .utting rock, has been introduced in Vancouver. It is now in use in a tomb-stone yard on Mt. Pleasant. - One man can do now in two hours what he formerly could do in two days. The other'fellows are now looking for jobs. And thus thc process goes on. "At Dawson it was 75 d?grees below zero; 83 below at Tantalus. The road at places is covered with fifteen feet of snow," reports the daily press. And still the workers of "these mining localities keep warm enough to agitate for Socialism, as reports from Dawson Local amply corroborate. "But how are you going to* take over the mines, railroads, etc.," is frequently asked tbe Socialiat. The Parsons say: i'The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away." The Socialist puts It thusly: "The people {giveth; the people will taketh away." The legal enactment of iive men, with, the power to enforce, should easily give place to the legislation enacted by, for the moat part, dead "Good, sober Christian and industrious" workmen are of time* prone to lament the short-comings of their unfortunate fellow workers who are "on the road" attributing this job- le** position to "drink" and other auquisitlona of capitalism. Doe* it ever occur to th* former that if tha latter were to follow their example, it would immediately increase the intense competition for jobs—and perhaps it would be the "sober man's job? Production for profit, Instead of for use, means that the few are fortunate by virtue of the misfortunes of the others. Harry Sibble,. the tireless propagandist and Western Clarion Agent of irresistible persuasiveness, reports that much interest is being taken by the miners of the Boundary district in economic questions. Considerable time ia devoted to dissuasion along such lines at ithe various union meet- lag*. Thi* is as it vhould Its, tat out of -rich discussion arid inquiry, will come the knowledge necessary to determine the correst lino >A action to follow for the emancipation of labor from tho thralldom of capitalist exploitation. The Clarion desires to express thanks to the numerous comrades and friends who, according to Com. Sibble, have extended to him courtesies and cordial treatment galore. | i e Five Clarion sub. cards—$3.75. —. I CLARION QUESTION BOX. | o o O. E. W., Penticton, B.C.— Hav* not met the comrade yet. Will make use Of him when located, if possible. I note tbe Increased Clarion *ub lint in your locality as result of Clarion Agent Sftjile** canvas. o Five Clarion sub. cards—$8.75. WINNIPEG, MANITOBA. T stated in my last that while con-j di lions in Winnipeg were not for the time being very favorable to Socialist propaganda, they were tateresW ing from a sociological standpoint, and supply much to confirm Socialist analysis of society. I would here touch a few points, notoriously- true and available to any observer in the city. The boomster spirit, a comihllnation of swagger and vulgarity on the sur-. face, but inspired and impelled from behind by that shrewd avarice for which this continent has become famous and which has been copiously adopted by Canadians, is nowhere in the Dominion more active just now than in the city of Winnipeg; nay, this claim is too modest, for by the general acclaim of ever competing cities the prairie is allowed to be the most "progressive community" in yCanada. If this were the place for it, much might be said of this glorification of totals and mere bigness; it permeates every institution in society, and as a specific tendency or social disease might be, not inaptly, termed -"aggregation." How worthless and misleading it is as a measure or indication of workingclass well being may, in part, appear in what follows. , For at least two years past, Winnipeg has been whelmed under an avalanche i of boom prosperity, a* witness, a rapid increase in population, bank clearings of $40,000,000 and >over, per month, and sometime* amounting to two millions per day, building permits of ten millions,per annum, civic and customs revenues more than double, and an application in land values, outside of improvements, of 300 per cent, on the averagie in the whole civic area, withl other developments pro rata. What more could the heart of Plutus desire? What better .evidence of social well being could he asked than these infallible standard* of conventional capitalism? Such is the obverse of the medal which Winnipeg wears with so much pride today, a pride heralded forth in five daily capitalist newspapers. But let us turn tbe medal for a moment and read a few items legibly written on the reverse. Vital statistics points to li deplorable condition of unhealthiness. Usually the birth and death rates about balance each other, but somehow for two consecutive months, the deaths exceed the births by as much a* 40 per cent. The special scourge of Winnipeg, typhoid lever, has been so prevalent and fatal that the authorities, for "business reasons" have refused to furnish or pul* lish figures on the subject. There is no natural reason why Winnipeg should not be as healthy as any town in the Province, but a rate- shaving policy dictated by the propertied classes keep* the city in most of its old time Al thiness and consequent unheal thiness. In'yico aad crime the city ia well abreast of ita bank, clearings. Some three years ago at tho instance of a group of evangelical parsons and professors, egg'd on by real estate ■harks, Winnrpcg had one of its periodical "purity spasms." A mass meeting was held in the opera house* parsons, in tragic tones and attitudes declaimed on tho enormity of the social evil and the policy of segregation, business men pointed out ita deplorable effects on real estate, and the reduced efficiency of their' business help. There was tbe test! beseeched for some plan that would save their saintly sons from contamination. There was stupid, black- headed, ignorant unctatousness ad nauseam with sordid selfishness to book in almost everything that was spoken; not a word of common sense or apprehension of the - real causes of and necessity for prostitution, not a word or thought, of consideration for the woman and girl victims. In their fanatical frenzy, they would club them into the Red River, or at least chase them out of town. The.v would stamp out the evil, they would blot love out of the book of life, except so much as the code of the capitalistic hearth prescribes for themselves, these nations and their reverend champions, and it was done. It was done as far as such things con be done, and with the common and inevitable result of such doing. .In a bruiul and inhuman way the women were ejected from their houses by the police, hauled befor.' the dty beak, fined and dispersed. Segregation was in the main, abolished, and succeeded, of course, by .dissemination or distribution over the whole city, more or less, with the effect that the supposed evil or social phenomena today is creator than ever, even allowing for the growth of the city. The parsons in convened assembly have eaten crow and confessed the failure of their plan, and so again the champions -of virtue are assembling their forces. A fund of $5,00U has been subscribed; how to be expended God only knows, the phenomena in every form is to be fought, doubtless'to be coni/ierutl as before. These spasms uxhiJiMt the capitalist class in their most ignorant and despicable phases—social and political. Parting-tons, they stand on the shore of human passion and essay to drive back the tide with police clubs, ignorant of the fact that the conditions they pretend to deplore are thn legitimate and inevitable outcome of the system by which thoy live and flourish, ignorant of the fact that so* cial 'conventions, themselves the reflec tion of capitalist society, and more than all actual economic conditions, or the system, make it difficult, undesirable and sometimes impossible for the young to come together in the normal and natural mariner dictated by nature. From beginning to end in this business, woman is victimized and man is brutalized. It may be that in Vancouver you have had, on a smaller scale, some similar experience. Of such crimes as come before thc courts, high and low, Winnipeg has had a recent crop rivalled only by the wheat, but these and some concluding reflections will furnish matter for another short story. STONEHENOE. ACTION AND REACTION. In certain quarters a great deal of concern seems to be manifested at the present materialist trend of the Socialist movement. A brief consideration would show this attitude to be illogical even on the part of an idealist, for the; move-, ment is merely obeying a fundamental law. lhe,law of reaction which has played a not unimportant part in all great movements. In the present struggle in Russia wo see an extreme effort towards democracy, succeeded by a reaction to autocracy. If the impetus towards autocracy is strong enough to carry it to tne extreme, the reaction towards democracy, which must inevitably follow, will sweep Czarism and all that appertains to it out of existence. And so it is with the Socialist movement at large. For years the pendulum has swung towards Idealism, finding its extreme in that school whicn sought to appeal to the altruism of the capitalist class to inaugurate tho Commonwealth for the benefit of humanity. Naturally their efforts did not meet with any ilegree of success, as the altruism of the capitalist had been stifled b.v the protective selfishness necessitated by competitive commercialism. From that extreme, thc pendulum has boon swinging downward through various reform ideals, gathering.' with increased impetus, increased support, a* it approaches its true mean, tho class struggle. And it is absolutely inevitable that it should swing as far to the ultra-materialist extreme as it did to the ultra- idealist. And those to whom this materialist, trend is distasteful should not on that account soak to retard,, but should rather add their weight to the movement for the sooner it attain* It* extreme, Uie sooner will the reaction to idealiatn take place. But it will not be the same (dualist trend. It will carry with it all th* benefits accrued from materialism. A truer understanding of the tcoaomlc basis of Socialism, e mor* logical and critical outlsok, a clearer perception, lea* tendency to i-ursue every new, bright phantom, a caim nnconipiomislng con Id 111.0 in the inevitability tf Social*-i.n in cur time. '! And it wiU bt this swing of the pendulum that will bring us to the beginning of the end. Material interests initiate revolutions, high ideals accomplish them; knowledge applies tha reattlt* VANCOUVER LOCAL, NO. 1. Tho regular weekly business meeting was held on Monday evening, Jan. 29th., Com. Arnason presiding. The minutes of the previous meeting were adopted, and the following warrants authorised: Rent of headquarters to Feb. 3rd $10.00 Due Stamps 7.50 Total $17.50 The Municipal campaign Committee reported having collected $88.75 and having expended $34.50, leaving a surplus of $4.25. The report was received and the balance ordered to be credited to the general fund, and the committee, discharged. The Ways and Means Committee reported that a dance will be held for the benefit of the Local at the Masons Hall, corner of 9th Avenue and Quebec Streets, on Tuesday evening, Feb. 6th. Admission 50c. fjulies free. Refreshments will be served without extra charge, and a general good time is anticipated. Tickets may be secured at the door or at any of the following places: Burns A Co., 101 Powell, and 188 Cordova St*. 10.: Socialist Head- iruarters, 113 Cambie street. Room 1, or from ony active member of the Local. The t'ommitte* report was received. Under he-id of new business, Comrade I-.. Hums was elected organizer by acclamation, and a matter regarding organization of South Vancouver, was referred to tho Provincial Executive, and steps were taken towards procuring the service* of Comrade Cloak, of Bellingham, to speak at Vancouver. Thc financial report showed receipts as follows: Donation to General Fund $ 1.00 Municipal Campaign surplus... 4.25 On Due* account 7.50 Total, for week $12.75 after receiving financial report thc meeting adjourned. D. P. MILLS, Sec. o P. II. Morrissey, grand master of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, declares that railway employes are compelled to work too many hours to insure safe, traffic on thc roads. Tn a speech on the subject recently, he said: "There is no other occupation today in which men are.forced to be more alert and active and yet are expected to remain in scrvico so many hours at a time. Laws should be enacted to protect the railroad men. We should work unitedly in an effort to procure thc enactment of measures providing for the maintenance of the families of railroad men who meet with misfortune."—Labor Advocate. Such childlike confidence in the potency of the law to bring relief, is beautiful to behold. It is erjualled in tieaiity, only by that displayed by he who goes to a drug shop to purchase on appetite. The display of sense in cither case is the some. If Morrissey and his trainmen Insist on leaving control of the law factories in thc hands of the railway com- IMinit-s and other capitalist concerns they will get all the law that is com ing to them. Thc only families* It will maintain, however, will be those of capitalists, and such things, ruffians and assassins as may be necessary to enforce It. It is probably too much to expect that it shouhf ever dawn upon upon Marrisscy that it -is not more law that the workers need, but more sense. If they had sense enough to seize thc powers of government on behalf of their own class, and wipe out tbe accursed laws that now access to their means of living, i.e., the resources and machinery of production, they would find speedy relief from the ills which so grlevous- lv afflict them. This superstitious faith in the efficacy of the law to bring relief to that class in human society against whom In is aimed, I* about the most ridiculous that over lodged Itself In the human brain. o To Publishers Of Country Weeklies: We have two cases (lOO pounds) of Brevier Type, gipoiiat. almost new, cost 52 •its a pound a year agoi will sell at 25cts a lb. Following is i pie of the Types Hartford, Conn., Jan. to.—A certificate of incorporation of th* Oaxac* & Pacific Railway Company of Hartford, has been filed with the secretary of •tate. The authorised capital stock of the company i* |40,ooo 000. These- figure* exceed those of any other company which ha* filed such a certificate with the secretary WRITE Western Clarion, Box 636. VANCOUVER, B; C. Marshall li- Id, the big Chicago merchant and financier, died the Other day worth anywhere from $100,- 000,000 to $150,000,000. Through the capitalist press thc public ha* since been treated to a delicious lot of guff and gush about* the superlative virtues of this most wonderful mon. The New York Olobe considers his career to be "a most wholesome corrective of the idea that most of the very rich men of this country are possewsors of tatat- ed wealth that they have atrmawed Hy grabbing. What Ood or the community has made, or by, oppressing labor, or by applying competition— throttling trust methods to business." He was probably kept so Vusy all his life producing the wtmlthi represented by his millions that he had no time to play the usual capitalist skin game. o FROM SqiTAMISH VALLKY. o ■ Jxkixxx -Ut.p There are 8,974 factories in Japan employing 483,989 men aad women, Capitalism is thu* making excellent headway in turning that country ln- . . . . . ,, to an Industrial hall for th* Myuipose mony of matrons wbo implored and|0f frying the fat out of waijaalaves. On Saturday, thc 2«th inst., a meeting of thc Socialists ot Squa- mish Valley was hi'W in the Public Hall, for the pur-pom- of ascertaining our strength hero and applying for official organization. In spit*, of cold w-mthvr and bad roads, enough supporters were prew-nt. to justify us in applying for a charter. Ik-side* the five who signed the application, there are at least half a ilow-n mi*r* whom weather conditions prevented from appearing. In the meantime, it was decided to form a league and to hold a meeting the next Saturday evening in cormnranoratlon of "Bloody Sunday." Accordingly during the ensuing week our members Tgot busy," with the result that on Saturday evening, the 27th. inst., an audience of about BO m?n, women and,children wore present at the Hall. The majority of the voter* •lebiar them from free \ present were acknowledged supporters of the Party. The rest were Inspired with curiosity as to the Intents ami purposes of the meeting. Comrade C. K. Ktlby. who occupied thc chair, opened the meeting with on address In which he briefly outlined the platform and policy of the Canadian Socialist Party, and sketched thc evolution of society from primitive communism to ths* prmmt system of capitalistic ownership of the means of wealth production Comrade Alexander Stephen followed with a brief plea for tho Russian proletariats now engaged in a life and death st niggle for liberty and justice. FVillnwinb this, a collection amounting to $ft.OO, wit* t*vkY- en to buy arms and ammunition for our comrades in Hussia This amount, fhongh smntl, I* more than T have ever seen collected here for any of the itinerant missionaries of tho tlospel who visit S*,uamlsh Valley. After a lew musical and lighter selections, the programme was clot-nd by an address by Comrade Stephen, who dealt mainly with the misconceptions of Miirinlisin prevalent, here as elmm-here. He also outlined tho method by which we propose to restore tho resources and tools of jiro- duction to the people. This question, of compensation Huern* the only one which seriously trouble* many in the valley who would otherwise make good revolutionary Socialists. Tho mooting was then thrtown open for discussion. A "hot twrne" followed. For half an hour questions of all kinds were fired singly and In volleys by the audience. Comrade Uii by bore the brunt of battle bravely and answered all tns-julries satls- factiorily t a the questioner*. Excited groups prolonged the discussion after' the meetmg was cloned. Socialism ha* come to stay in Stquarhlsh. It I* thes main subject of discussion, on all occasions at present. 'We are now in' hopes that the' Vandouvor Executive muy mse Ot to send ua a speaker as soon aa possible to lend prestige, to our movement. Meanwhile wo wfll keep tho fire burning merrily, Olnd, that 'even In thi* tsocluded valley we can keep In touch with the world-wide movement af our class and strong in thn conviction that our cause must ultimately succeed. Your*, fraternally, ALEXANDER STEPrTBN, Secretary. ' .. ' I' IW.IQ ■ I ' ' Investigations of the conditions under which the sweatshop slave* of Chicago exist, shows that tnen* are hundreds af thian who do not earn over $1 per week (hiring these winter months. Even in good times in the garment trades they are fortunate indeed to earn as much as $.'!, or $4, or ?.'> a wouk. That, with such wages, life is l.'ltle better thun a living hell, g.ies without saying. That thousands of work*. its are boing irresistible forced down into similar conditions each year, everyone knows who cares to give the matter any attention whatever. Every jierson possessing any knowledge whatsoever of thc mechanism and workings of the present system must know lhat not only is it inevitable that such conditions exist but that they must continually grow worse. And yet there aro people professing to l»e Socialists who are so ignoruiil as to believe that thc conditions surrounding these cruelly exploited,and cnished vlcMtns of capitalist production can bo alleviated through some so-called "economic" organization, or other patchwork toin-fooUiry. _ 1 I! .ft— ■ Twenty-eight signers of anti-militarist placards, which were posted upon the.walls of Paris on the first of October last, have been recently tried, found guilty and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. A* none of the disciples of tho meek and lowly N-uarono have as yet entered any. protest against such verdicts, it may be taken as an indication that they realize that,the doctrine of *<'p«aeo on earth" taught by that gentle soul nineteen centuries auo, is a ridiculous ahb tr-jity during 'hesm enlightened days. The unly thing it is safe and proper to tench now is war, glorious (?) war. ,) xVf 0-"--- "Hi* Majesty" King Christian, of Denmark died on Jan. 210. Lucky for Denmark, however, there is another chunk of "majesty" in th* shape of his son, to take hi* place, ihe country i* safe. His Mi Specials nrnDa' Men'* Winter Overcoats in plain bn-y oxfords; coat* which nave sold this season at $15; thi* Week f'75 Men's Hue Worsted and rw.-»*d Suits, singl« and double t-rwastad, all wool cloths; regular $18.00 and $15, for $»'.M) Men's Cravt-netto Raincoat*, full lined, in neat dark grey* and black*; coats which are aold everhwbere at $12.00. Our price for thi* weak only $fl.5t KELEOY, MORGAN 00., Ltd. »«M>MMMwM.w$MMw»M» BURNS & CO HARDWAttM. t Second Hand Oeatar • i and Tool* a j trook Stove** .Spent-ally. We buy and sell all Mad* of •crap metal, old mavchiaary, < rubber, sacks, battle*, etc. * Store*—lag Cordova St., E., I hardware * Junk. 101 Powell St., new and m-coimI hand far- < niture. tut . •• ••: 8. T. WAIaLAOl* CASH GROCERY 8T0RS W* also carry a full lla* of ture. on easy payment*, at that cannot b* duplicated, taspect our •toek. Off prtoa* Ktaftjr VANCOUVER. B. a C. PCTCR8 ^E'JE* IUii.1 Msde Bool* aad Shoe* la wrflwr ia •II style* Rrp*iiln*pr*aapltytada«*l- ly dour. Stock of eUble ready.i MM Shuee alw-a-r* oa baud. LEE I IbrOMMs Telephone 2391. Sanitary Expert*. Plumbing la all lt* branches. Estimate* furnlahad. Repair*, stove connection*, etc. CHAROES REASONABLE IN WCITWltTM ML, UrmHfner. Five yearly sub. cards—$3.75. BRIDSOri BAKCRY TRY OUR BREAD, CAKES, ETC:. M»»»»MMwM$w»»»»»w»»»t WAGRLABOR AMD CAPITAL * UT KARL MAKX. Single copies, ft cent*; I copies, 2r, cent*; IB r-ople*, ft* cent*; 40 copies. 11.90; 100 copies and over, S cent* per copy.' These rate* tnelude pottage to any part of Canada or the United Kingdom. ; "Tha Wwttern 01ari«ti • a saw* .'WHM-H-*-!'!.1.*'""'""--...! ■Mumi M-****ww*w-**saj|Ba**B| unbrnasmammm mmm
Titled The Western Clarion from June 18, 1904 to June 1, 1907; titled Western Clarion thereafter.
Newspapers
Vancouver (B.C.)
English
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
Vancouver, B.C. : The Western Socialist Publishing Co., Limited
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BC Historical Newspapers
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The Western Clarion
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