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SOCIALISTS IN FLAMINGBADGES OF REDDOME TO INDIANAPOLIS TO FORM A NATIONAL BODY.jTheyVe Not a Wild-eyed, Jungled-i faced Sf: o’ Men by a Lonq Sight, i Either—Prof. Herron’s Interesting v Remarks—Many Factions on Hand •There was an involuntary shrinkingby passersby who met a hundred or so men wearing flaming red-ribbon badges inscribed, “Socialist,” on Washington and Illinois-sts., Monday morning. There appeared to be no occasion for apprehension, however, for not a badge-wearerseemed to have any dynamite bombs• • * • • • ► •concealed about his person. But the natural impulse to associate socialism and anarchism together could not be resisted by the average person.The strangers are delegates to a national convention of socialists which be-*gan' in Masonic hall, Monday morning. They come from all parts of the country, some being from New York city, and others from California. The purpose is to draw the several factions ofsocialists together under one general body.Some of the most prominent believers in socialism arc in attendance. Eugene Debs was expected to be one of the chief speakers, but his brother, Theodore Debs, of Chicago, says there is sickness in his brother's family which may prevent his attending.While the decorations in Masonic hall were red, white and blue, the bunting was so folded that the emblematic red was the most prominent. The literature sold at the door was bound in red and several of the delegates wore red neckties. There w'ere many women—well-HIE AIMS AND AMBITIONS OF SOCIALISTSAbou« the smallest man, physically, among the socialists Is Walter Thomas Mills, of Chicago. But he is regarded as one of the biggest men, mentally; by the delegates. Mills has a unique way of explaining the de-rmands of socialism.“When we declare that all men ought to be equal,” he says, “we do notmean that the tall men should be cut down to the size of us little fellows, for most men would not have any head left it that were done. Nor do we mean that the little men should be stretched to the size of the big ones, for in that case my joints would be of little use after the process is completed. But we mean that all men should have equal opportunities with each►other.“It cannot be denied that some men are shrewder than others, and that some men are stronger than others. But we demand that the shrewd man shall not be allowed to compel his less shrewd brother to do his work for him while he gets alPthe returns. We are opposed to the system whereby the nonresident stockholder in the big corporation is permitted to spend his summer in Europe, his winters in Florida and the rest of the time in some private hospital, while the laboring men are working their hands off for him to make this sort of life possible.”jdressed women, among the delegates, for socialism believes in woman suffrage.A prevalent belief that socialism is believed in only by wiicl-eyeu, long-whis-ikered, dangerous cranks was disproved by a glance at the delegates, the great majority of whom were energetic, intelligent young men. The only man on the floor who resembled in the least the newspaper pictures of anarchists was Prof. George D. Herron, of Chicago. His thick black beard and long fierce mustache gave him a somewhat dangerous appearance, until he began talk, his entirely pacific statements lacking wholly the wild denunciation of capital-\ ists. Prof. Herron was made temporary chairman after John Kelly, of Marion, had called for order and read the call for the convention.Prof. Herron said the convention purpose is to nationalize the socialist movement of America.“This is a movement that needs men to take care of it/' said he. “But it will { take care of men.”His closing statement that so far as he is concerned the action of this convention is final, was greeted with applause.Philip Brown, Chicago, was made temporary secretary, and 15 minutes was consumed in naming a credentials committee, which action developed the first evidence of the several factions represented. There were representatives of what is known as the Chicago party, the Springfield party, and the- independent states. The credentials and rules committees were finally arranged with representatives from all parties, ancl adjournment was taken until 3 p. m.One of the incongruous conditions of the socialist convention is the presence of a real moneyed man among the delegates. He is Willoughby Walling, of Chicago, a nephew of Capt. W. E. I.nglisli. Mr. Walling fell heir to one-eighth of the vast estate left by the late William H. English, the captain's father, young Walling's mother having been an only daughter of William H. English.Walling owns much property in Indiana, as well as in Chicago. But he appeared among the delegates wearing ono of their red badges, apparently as interested as any of the others. He is a handsome young man, tall and straight, therein resembling his distinguished grand-fathei.
Newspaper Details
Indianapolis Sun
Indianapolis, Indiana, US
Mon, Jul 29, 1901
Page 1
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IN, USA 04 Aug 2020
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