They are placed in the class with
criminals, while the profligate, the tramp who works enough to obtain
the means by which he can hold body and soul together, is able to
qualify under the constitution of Russia and is entitled to a vote.
Under that system in the United States the loyal men and women who
bought Liberty Bonds, in their country's peril would be disfranchised
while the slacker would have the right of suffrage.

"Persons who employ hired labor in order to obtain from it an increase
in profits may not vote or hold office. Under that system the
manufacturer who furnishes employment for a thousand men would be denied
the ballot, while those in his employ could freely exercise the right of
franchise. Under that system the farmer who hires a crew of men to help
him harvest his crop is denied the franchise. Under that system the
dairyman who hires a boy to milk his cows or to deliver milk is denied
the franchise.

"The constitution of Russia adopts the declaration of rights as part of
the organic act to the extent that changes have not been made, by the
constitution. Examine them--the constitution and the declaration of
rights--we find other most astounding doctrines in the soviet
fundamental law. I shall not discuss but merely mention a few of them.
They do not pertain so much to the structure of government as they do to
the economic and social conditions surrounding the people under the
soviet system:

"First. Private ownership of land is abolished. (No compensation, open
or secret, is paid to the former owner.)

"Second. Civil marriage alone is legal. By act of the All-Russian
Congress of Soviets a marriage may be accomplished by the contracting
parties declaring the fact orally, or by writing to the department of
registry of marriage. Divorce is granted by petition of both or either
party upon proof alone that divorce is desired.

"Third. The teaching of religious doctrines is forbidden in private
schools, as well as in schools that are public.

"Fourth. No church or religious society has the right to own property.
(The soviet leaders boldly proclaim the home and the church as the
enemies of their system, and from the foregoing it would seem that they
are trying to destroy them.)

"Fifth. Under the general authority granted to the soviets by the
constitution inheritance of property by law or will has been abolished.

"These amazing features of the constitution and laws enacted under the
constitution