Chamber of Deputies, compared with 240 Republicans, it can be readily seen what important pillars of the Government support they form. The Socialist group, composed, as it is, almost exclusively of the working class, naturally has ambitions that are by no means confined to the programme of Republican Defence. They want legislation which in their opinion will have an important bearing on the whole social order.
Bicycle riders on the Belgium country roads distributing socialistic literature.
Like socialists everywhere, there is much in their demands that is utterly impractical. The Government has accepted a few of their most workable theories. If the platform of the revolutionary Socialists was carried out there would be a complete upsetting of the Government, for they favor the suppression of the Senate and the President of the republic. The programme of the less extreme, and more truly representative, group of Socialists calls for laws restricting the hours of labor and affecting conditions of employment. They desire to transplant the German system of sick funds and old-age pensions, and lay the burden of their maintenance upon the state. This great charge upon the budget they are ready to provide without hardship to themselves by the imposition of a graduated income tax on the wealthy. Complete freedom in forming associations is desired, laws more favorable to labor unions are wanted, payment to the holders of elective offices advocated, and the control by the state of the railroads, mines,and banks is also proposed. The Socialists are almost as much opposed to state education as they have been to clerical instruction.
A country polling place on election day in France.
The Socialists’ contention that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer was pretty effectually disproved recently by the investigation of the French Labor Bureau covering labor conditions in France from 1840 to the end of the century. During a period in which the population grew only 12 per cent., the consumption of wheat rose 60 per cent., of meat 90 per cent., potatoes 100 per cent., sugar 500 per cent., and alcohol 260 per cent.
The demands of the Socialists seem likely now to come into the foreground. It is probable that we shall see in France much parliamentary attention given to legislation
