The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-05-16
The 'Over-Preduction FaIiacy.

How can the joint earnings of labor
and capital be equitably distributed
labor and capital each getting it's
share!
Upon the proper solution of this
great problem depends the material
and moral grandeur, the strength and
perpetuity of free government.
That there is no such equitable dis
tribution, that capital appropriates
the lions share, will not be question
ed or doubted. The problem is more
complex and difficult of solution by
reason of the many improved process
es for increasing product, which pro-
cesses require large amount of capt.
tai involving combinations of men of
wealth, and the crowding together of
a great number of labOrers under a
common direction.
Men of small means, however skill
ed, cannot compete with the rich
firms or incorporation which employs
machinery. Individual enterprise
must either retire and seek some 9th
or employment, or become factor in
the aggregate mass. Dependence and
helplessness are the result, and capt.
tai. always atyrant, becomes despotic
in its power over the toilers.
Our problem may be properly sub
divided, or rather involves two propo-
sitions: First, how to produce wealth,
and, second, how to distribute it.
Wealth or riches consists in the
raw material and whatever skill and
labor can add to it for the purposes of
mankind.
If wealth is created rapidly by
means of machinery, and is badly dis
tributed, the result must be great OPP
ulence in one direction and extreme
poverty in another.
Over-grown fortunes and general
restitution are hardly possible, if the
means of distribution illegal tenders)
correspond with the increase of pro-
ductiOn.
The study of the stateman should
be to maintain an equilibrium, that
the general welfare may be secured
and established.
The problem is not solved by an
equal division of property, as by that
means all emulation is destroyed, and
labor is virtually abolished, because
do man will work without prospect
of reward.
1t is not An equal, but an equitable
distribution OF the products of labor
that is desirable. We would not
abolish property but 'universalize it,
SO that every citizen, to the extent of
his unassisted production, will be a
proprietor. Every man is entitled to
all that he individually creates with.
t.,:I ~, Il
plish little with empty hands; he
must have tools and implements with
which to work. When he has paid a
fair rent for the use of these tools he
is entitled to the residue Of his pro-
duct, and this rent should notlbe dis
proportionate to the results; other
wise the lahorer is robbed, and the
man who furnishes the tools is the
rObber.
The rent or the rate Of interest paid
for the use of capital is in excess of
the ability of labor to pay or. in other
words. is not in proportion to the
market value OF the joint product.
Labor is at still greater disadvan-
tage, and inequalities in condition are
magnified when machinery is employ
cd involving large expenditure of
dear capital.
An increase III production, however
brought about, can never injure labor,
if an equitable distribution is secured.
In every normal condition of society,
consumption and production will al.
ways be the counterparts Of each 9TH
ers. An increased production of the
necessaries Of life enlarges the num-
Der and magnifies the wants of
consumers. il the instrument of
distribution money is ample and
within the reach of the laborer. New
wants are created with increased
facilities of qualification.
The skill and ingenuity of man
have added enormously to the product
of the farm. the mine. the manufacto-
ry. and the workshop. while tho avar-
ice and selfishness of Shylocks have
dictated the financial legislation in
such way that these vast products
remain undistributed. presenting the
singular phenomenon of millions
starving in the midst of plenty.
The function or Office OF money is
to distribute or circulate the riches
of a people. If it is insufficient i'll
volume to distribute products. barns
and warehouses will be crowded with
needed but unused articles of con-
sumption. Every new machine, by
means of which wealth is created. de-
mands An increase of money to carry
it to the people.
AS we'll attempt to deliver at a
railroad depot with one pair of mules
ten thousand bushels of wheat, when
their capacity would be taxed in NOV
ing FIVE thousand bushels, as to carry
on the commerce Of the country with
wholly inadequate volume of money.
1t is worse than blunder-it is .
crime-to delay the march Of civilixa-
ton until their gold and silver mines
are discovered, and those metals are
melted into OOin.
With an insufficient volume Of mon.
~. rates Of interest viii be usurious,
or labor viii be unemployed. The
creation and distribution Of wealth
win both b crippled. This . che