The Commissioner of Police in the City has prohibited the
Socialist procession on Lord Mayor's Day. The prohibition is absolute, the Social Democratic Federation being informed that "on the 9th of November next, no procession, other than that of the Lord Mayor, will be permitted to enter or pass through any street in the City of London." The Socialists, in reply, ask Sir James Fraser for his authority ; but they will soon find it is ample for his purpose, and that he is supported by sufficient force. He is responsible for the peace of the City. With two processions in the streets, one drawing thousands Of sightseers, and the other attracting all the criminal classes, the rioting must have been serious. We may hope that it will now be avoided ; but extensive precaution will still be necessary, as the Show itself gives the ill-disposed a rare opportunity, and the prohibition will not improve their temper. The Socialists, we may note, have just placed themselves in direct antagonism to the City, their organ declaring that the property of the City and the Guilds, and the incomes of the proprietors of great estates in the Metropolis, ought first of all to be devoted to the increase of comfort among the London poor. The Socialists will have the wealth of these " marauders " distributed at once, or else—. The right of the public to a part at least of the "unearned in- crement" in great cities, is fairly arguable ; but it is the right of the whole population, not of a class in it. The workmen who have succeeded have made London at least as much as the workmen who want relief.
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