Origo: First Italian Socialist Convention [Sept. 6-7, 1903] 1

Italian Socialist Convention: [West Hoboken, NJ — Sept. 6-7, 1903] by Silvio Origo

Published in The International Socialist Review [Chicago], v. 4, no. 4 (Oct. 1903), pp. 212-214.

The first annual convention of the “Federazione An able report was submitted by G. Lavagnini Socialista Italiana” took place on September 6-7 [1903], of Northfield, Vt., on the establishment of coopera- in West Hoboken, NJ. There were 33 delegates present, tive stores, demonstrating their efficiency as an auxil- representing some 30 locals and 8 different states. iary of the Socialist movement, and showing their suc- The convention was opened amid great enthu- cessful operation amongst the Italian Socialists of Ver- siasm by G.M. Serrati, editor of Il Proletario — the mont. Italian Socialist daily — who called the delegates to It was the sense of the convention that the com- order and made some appropriate introductory re- rades should encourage and work for such movements marks. It was voted by acclamation to send a congratu- in all places where local conditions were favorable, es- latory cablegram to Comrade Enrico Ferri in Rome, pecially in small cities, where large department stores for his noble fight against the “grafters” in the Navy did not exist. department. This also meant that the convention was The advisability of establishing an Immigration with him, and stood for an uncompromising political Bureau was then discussed, and the advantages that attitude. might accrue to the immigrant were plainly stated. The Aside from the minor work of the Federation’s padrone, the banker, and many other colonial sharks, affairs, the most important questions for the conven- made an easy prey of the poor and simple Italians mi- tion to discuss were the following: grating to these shores, defrauding them and selling 1st — The Party Press. them like chattels to the contractors. The Bureau would 2nd — The Cooperative Stores Movement. protect them, assist them, and put them on their guard. 3rd — Establishment of an Immigration Bureau. It was voted that it should be left to the Executive 4th — Attitude of the Federation towards the Committee to take the preliminary steps for the es- trade unions. tablishment of such a bureau. 5th — Attitude of the Federation towards the It being impossible to discuss the trade unions two Socialist parties, the SLP and the SP. without involving party tactics, a discussion on the Only 1 out of the 33 delegates was in favor of same was then started. discontinuing the publication of the daily paper. As might be supposed, this brought about a Thirty-two delegates wanted the paper to be contin- warm debate, and it seemed for a time that the SLP ued at all costs, even to the extent of having each local comrades were going to sway the convention. A re- pledge a monthly contribution to defray the expenses port was submitted by Dellavia, full of the false and of publication. A true spirit of Socialism and of noble timeworn vilifications against the Socialist Party, and, self-denial was shown by the delegates during this dis- in order to prejudice the delegates against our party, cussion, in which the comrades stated their willing- the same report had been printed and distributed some ness to share their scanty wages for the enlightenment time before the convention. Comrade G.M. Serrati, of their fellowmen. however, replied to the false accusation, and showed 1 2 Origo: First Italian Socialist Convention [Sept. 6-7, 1903] that while it might be true that in some instances the which was then put to a vote and carried, 19 for, and Socialist Party had been slack and of a too broad spirit, 15 against. the majority of its members were good uncompromis- The Trade Union question then naturally re- ing Socialists, doing excellent work in all states of the solved itself, and the convention voted to follow the union, in many of which the SLP did not exist at all. tactics as laid down at the International Congress, “In the SLP press,” he said, “I see nothing but insults which are those of the Socialist Party. against other Socialists; in the SP press I see nothing Several minor matters were then transacted: the but Socialism. I am in favor of a union between the election of a new Executive Committee, and the ap- two parties, but cannot countenance the conduct of pointment of Local Newark to receive all complaints. the SLP.” He then read a communication of the Inter- The issuing of $2 shares, to cover a mortgage on the national Socialist Bureau, informing him that the only Socialist Block of Barre, Vt., was authorized. The res- Socialist Party recognized there at present was the So- ignation of G.M. Serrati as editor of Il Proletario was cialist Party. unwillingly received. The convention adjourned at Comrades Ecaterinara of Newark, NJ, and G. 8:45 pm with three cheers for International Social- Lavagnini of Vermont also spoke in favor of the SP, ism. stating that it was the only party working for Social- While the constitution of the Federation did not ism in their respective localities. allow the delegates of the Socialist Party to be officially A number of resolutions were introduced, and recognized, Comrades Solomon, DeLuca, and the one of Com. Serrati, to the effect that writer were present and made many friends amongst the delegates, eventually furnishing them with useful While the Federation was on general principles with information which had a decided bearing on their most the SLP, it was optional for comrades in places where there was no SLP to vote for the uncompromising candidates of important vote. the other Socialist Party. On the whole, the convention was a credit to the Italian comrades. Party and personal feelings were An official delegate from the SLP was then given all made subordinate to the Socialist movement. A sin- the floor to make his pronunciamento on the resolu- cere and intense desire to promote the cause of Social- tion. He said he was not in favor of it. If the Italian ism dominated all their actions, and when the vote to Socialists favored the SLP, they must either be entirely break away from DeLeon was announced, a voice was with the SLP or against it. His Party would not stand heard to say: “There are neither victors nor vanquished for a halfway policy. He hoped the Italian comrades here, we are all comrades!” would open their eyes. The answer of the convention to this compli- Silvio Origo, mentary remark was another resolution: Springfield, Mass.

To sever all connections and alliances with the SLP, and constitute themselves into an independent organization.

Edited by Tim Davenport. Published by 1000 Flowers Publishing, Corvallis, OR, 2006. • Non-commercial reproduction permitted.

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