3i8 socialism in England. 
As stepping-stones to a happier period, we urge for immediate 
adoption :— 
“ The Compulsory Construction of healthy artisans’ and agricultural 
labourers dwellings in proportion to the population, such dwellings to be 
let at rents to cover the cost of construction and maintenance alone. 
_ Compulsory Education for all classes, together with the 
provision of at least one wholesome meal a day in each school. 
‘‘ Eight Hours or less to be the normal working day in all trades. 
Cumulative Taxation upon all incomes above a fixed minimum 
not exceeding ;¿'300 a year. 
^ State Appropriation of Railways with or without compensa 
tion.” (Compensation is a detail to be avoided if possible.) 
“The establishment of National Banks, which shall absorb all 
private institutions that derive a profit from operations in money or credit.” 
(The process of absorption is not described.) 
“Rapid Extinction of the National Debt” (it is not said how, but 
apparently “ rapid extinction ” is a euphemism for “ repudiation ”). 
_ Nationalization of the Land, and organization of agricultural 
and industrial armies under State control on co-operative principles.” 
Nothing is said about compensation to existing landowners, 
capitalists, and owners of property generally, because, 
apparently, none is intended. They are to be expropriated, 
if not by more summary methods, by means of the cumulative 
taxation above advocated. This appears still more plainly in 
the “Summary of the Principles of Socialism,” signed by the 
whole Executive Committee of the Democratic Federation, 
where, after explaining rather more fully the objects of the 
League, they say :— 
“ But this is confiscation. Far from it, it is restitution. Those who 
cry for compensation for past robbery, and shriek confiscation because 
the right to rob in future is challenged, should bear in mind that the 
men and women whom we would compensate are those who are now 
stumbling half-clothed and half-fed from a pauper cradle to a pauper 
grave, in order that capitalists and landlords may live in luxury and excess. 
The dead have passed beyond compensation ; it will be well if the living 
do not call for vengeance on their behalf. Our first principle as Socialists 
is that all should be well fed, well housed, well educated. For this object, 
we urge forward the Revolution, which our enemies hysterically shriek at, 
and frantically try to dam back. ” 
Let there be no mistake about it. The means which they 
advocate and exult in, to bring about the consummation which 
they desire, are what most persons call wholesale rapine and