“On the Aims of Socialism. 1895” in “Class Warrior”
On the Aims of Socialism 1895
This is the first known report of a speech by Kingsley following his disablement at Spring Gulch, Montana, and his transformation into a revolutionary socialist. He delivered the speech at San Francisco’s Knights of Pythias Hall on 27 October 1985 during his time as an organizer with the Socialist Labor Party.
Aims of Socialism: E. T. Kingsley Defines the Purpose of the Organization for Industrial Improvement
The advocates of socialism, represented as the American Section of the Socialistic Labor Party, held a well-attended meeting in Pythian Hall last evening. E. T. Kingsley was selected to address the gathering upon the aim and tendency of the socialistic movement. The speaker dwelt at considerable length upon the present system of municipal government and gave emphatic expression to his opinions upon its defects and the methods by which they might be remedied. He declared that in the realization of their purpose the socialists should aim at the control of no single branch of the government but endeavor to control all. Socialism, he explained, is not an institution whose purpose is to eliminate the monopolies one by one. If it hopes for success it must secure repossession of the entire system of government at one time.
Among other things Mr. Kingsley referred to the waste of material which he believed was a result of an improper municipal system. He advocated the destruction of what he called rent, interest and property. To bring about such a condition of things he urged a judicious use of the ballot privileges by all socialists.
—“Aims of Socialism,” San Francisco Call, 28 Oct. 1895, 10.
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