Los Angeles daily herald., 1873-10-03
Some PrOpisesies.

Sociology is not a science. 1t /.
ability to predict fixed results which
constitutes science, and no one a,
yet can take social elements, and ac-
curately predict their intricate work
ings and results. The variables are
too numerous and the data too fine.
But that II has been correct In few
Of the following prophesies shows
that some progress has been made in
reducing it to u science. These We're
made one year ago.
1. ] predict that the Democratic
party will never contest another
Presidential election under its old
name and organization. The new an
ti-administratiOn party will have ano-
ther name, and will fight under new
leaders.
=. l predict that questions OF ad-
ministratiOn, such as civil-service re-
form, minority representation, the
control OF teleglaphs and railways,
and the extension OF the powers of the
central government will be the main
issues in future political campaigns.
3, predict that within the coming
two years this country will experience
worst financial panic known To- its his
tory. 1t will be more widespread and
disastrous than even that OF 1897. All
the debts created by our paper-money
era will soon be wiped out or comprO-
missed. Land will temporarily fail to
One-half its present value.
4. The panic will be precipitated, in
all probability, by the failure OF the
Northern Pacific Railway, and per-
haps OF the bankers who manage it,
This will bring TO light such All amaz-
ing amount OF fraud in connection Will,
our railways ~ to discredit all lstock,
good and bad. The bears will hold
high carnival. The men Of most re-
pute in financial circles and on the
street." will prove to be common
cheats. While the panic will com
mence, from all appearance, in rail
way circles, and will be confined for II
time to the new Western enterprises,
1t will spread finally to the national
banks, and will develop an amount OF
rOttenness in those institutions which
il now beyond the power of the ina
ginatiOn to conceive.
5. | predict that in ten years time
the Northern Pacific Railway enter
prise will be regarded IA one of the
most astounding instances of human
credulity and folly. 1t will he mat
ter of profound astonishlnent that
among business community tens OF
thousands OF sensible men could be
found to invest money with hope OF
profit in a railway which began no.
where, ended nowhere. and ran for the
most part through bowling wilder.
ness. That this road may be built is
possible; that it can be made to pay
for the present generation is too crazy
chiinpra to be for q moment enter
tanned.
6.sI predict that when all the great
Pacific roads break down, rs breal,
they must, an immediate demand will
he made for the government to control
and rlln them. This will be- the enter
ing wedge for the final control of all
means OF rapid transit by the govern
ment.
Z. predict that before the break
down of our railway system, corrup-
tion will be rampant in Washington;
the railway rings will run the govern
ment wherever their interests are al
stake.
8. I predictth very few will pay
any heed to these prophecies, and that
after they prove true they will have
been forgotten, anf another instance
will have been given how prophets are
not hOnored in their own time and ma
ton, in the fate OF
\ POsITIyIsT PREDHTUR.