The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1875-05-21
PoIitico-EeonomicaI Problems of the
Day.

At meeting of the American Social
Science Association In Detroit, last
week, Hon. David A. Wells was intro
dueed and delivered an address on the
general subject of social science, and
especially on the relations of capital
and labor, and of the mutual duties of
society and the laboring classes. He
started with the proposition that never
before to-day has man been able to pro-
duce so much with given amount of
power. To illustrate this be adduced
the fact that by the construction of the
Suez canal. the time of a vessels pas
sage from England to Calcutta has been
reduced from 10 or 120 days to 80
days. And this prepOnderance of mind
over matter IS becoming more notable,
every year showing new and valuable
additions to the list of inventions. The
fields of science and art are still open
10 the inventor, but with the advance
of science came necessarily a cheaper
ing of the productions of labor. What
was formerly a luxury comes to be a
necessity, and former extravaganza is
becoming frugality. Where this cheap
ening process will stop is an interesting
matter for speculation.
The speaker then examined the pro-
gressive stage of society as regards the
possession Of property. The poorer
classes are gradually but surely learn
ing the motto, "eYery man for himself
and the devil take the hindmost,
and are determined that the devil
of civilization shall not capture
them. If IL does, they may, like
the Communists of Paris, draw down
the whole fabric of society into
one common vortex of destruction.
The wealthy perceive this spirit, and,
from this perception, coupled with the
efforts and demands of the poorer ones,
schools, hospitals, churches, sanitary
and social reformg sprang. Antagon-
ism, however originated strikes, trades
unions and organizations of that class.
A vagabOnd repays the society which
compels or assists him to his vagabond-
age by founding a line of paupers, pros
titUtes, lUnatics and drunkards. Society
sees this, too, and meets the case by
all the means in her power. The idea
that the men who talk of social science
in our dag are hermits, full of book
learning bat devoid of experience and
actual knowledge of the evils they would
set right, is a mistake. To show the
absurdity of this belief, the speaker ad-
duced statistics and statements to prove
that by following out the teachings of
social science mortality can be much
reduced. The province of the social
science refOTmer Is to study statistics,
compare results and draw indubitable
conclusions and Tor this work society
owes him a greater debt than it owes
the successful fnancier or statesman.
The teachings of somg European re-
formers, that property is theft, seem
absurd IN AmPriIa. Law cannot reg
ulate the acquisition and division of
property. As well attempt to provide
by statute that all men shall be born
with an equal ply sical and mental Ca
Pacity for production.
Mr.. Wells proceeded at considerable
length to apply the division principle
to American productions and acquisi-
tions, and, to show the absurdity and
impracticability of it, he said it is prop
er and right for the workman of the
United States to demand and strive, if
he will, for the largest possible share
of the Joint products of labor and cap
ital, for it is the natural right of every
one TO seek to obtian the largest price
for that which he has to sell but If, IN
so doing he restricts production, and
so diminishes abundance, he does it at
his peril for, by law far above any
legislative control or influence, what
ever increases scarcity not only in
creases the necessity, but diminishes
the rewards of labor