work out the details of these in a most artistic and thorough way, modelling them largely on the magnificent festivals of the Belgium cities in the Middle Ages. A harvest festival which I recently saw in Bruges was an elaborate and artistic example. A procession with floats representing different grains and different phases of the harvest certainly made in the way of public amusement a good substitute for a spectacle on the Champs de Mars.
The Belgian Socialists ask of the Government that so far as possible it cultivate the artistic in all phases of public life, and that the strength of the state be directed to obliterate all ugly and unpleasant sights. Of the Minister of Finance is demanded money of more artistic appearance, modelled closely on the lines of antique coins. From the Minister of Railroads they wish stations of architectural excellence, decorated by the greatest of contemporary artists, and railway carriages where comfort is combined with the consideration of what is beautiful. They even ask for less commonplace railroad tickets. From the Minister of Agriculture is demanded comprehensive plans for the preservation of the trees along the great national roads; and from the Minister of Industry, the reorganization,improvement, and vitalizing of the provincial schools for teaching industrial art, the creation of museums and galleries, and generally the provision of the means for higher artistic culture.
Thus the Belgium Socialists by no means propose to confine their, ambitions to the improvement of material conditions. In some respects they may have impractical ideals, but on the whole their programme is one which must inevitably work toward the uplifting and better living of the dense industrial population. Undoubtedly they scatter and weaken their force by the breadth of their demands. Their programme, however, is interesting, both from the fact that it illustrates the nature of what we would regard as fundamental political rights for which they are still struggling, and illuminates some of the high ideals with which the party is imbued.
In politics they desire universal suffrage, decentralization of the legislative power, communal autonomy, the right of initiative and referendum, educational reform, the suppression of the Church and army, civil equality of the sexes and suppression of hereditary functions, and finally the establishment of a republic. In economic matters they have a great programme of public charity in the shape of general insurance for all citizens. They favor the abolition of all laws against coalition. They desire free agricultural education, insurance against the diseases of plants and animals, and against the damages of storms and floods, the suppression of the hunting preserves, and the establishment of the right to destroy during every season animals which do harm to the crops.
