The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1879-10-24
Some Labor Reform Theories.
From the October Atlantic,

From the October Atlantic
Our friends regard the production and
perpetuasion of wealth as being due almost
entirely to labor. They often say that
laboring men-as distinct from the class of
capitalists and cultivated people-have
created the wealth of the country, and it is
sometimes added that it justly belongs to
them. The working people do not gener-
ally understand how much the production
and existence Of wealth depend upon other
elements than mere muscular exertion.
They do not appreciate the part which is
performed by cultivated men and capital
lists in organizing and equipping business
enterprise, in adapting production to the
markets of the world, and in so directing
the labor of multltudes of men and the use
of costly machinery as not to impair the
capital invested. They do not even UNDER
stand clearly that the destruction of capi-
tai ruins the laborers of the country by
destroying the business which gives them
employment. Many laborers think they
are in some way benefited by the losses
sustained by capitalists. Wealth is not so
stable or permanent as our friends believe.
1t in of a sensitive nature and does not
bear rough handling. 1t is easy to destroy
the value Of any kind of property or in
vestment by injurious legislation or mis-
chievous municipal administration. But
many men believe that by means Of legis-
la$snv, &c l., %hn ;r&nrae%r re lahn~ 81 arI 3hxr
severe taxation, most OF the wealth now in
the possession of rich men and corporations
can be transferred, without impairment, to
the hands of the working people. | think
the actual result, il their plans could bs
carried out, would be the gradual annihila-
tion and expulsion of the wealth of the
country. There would no longer be any
disparity Of conditions between rich and
poor, because all wanld be poor alike. Our
organized industries would be destroyed.
All machinery which requires the cooper
alton of many laborers would be disused,
and we should be obliged 20 return to the
conditions and methods of life Of the days
before the introduction of improved labor
saving machinery, when the people of our
country depended almost wholly upon
agriculture and such manufactures as could
be carried on in their homes. The worlds
wealth will not be perpetuated or repro
duced if the essential conditions under
which it has been created are destroyed.
Might does not make right or justice on
the side of the people any more than on
that of tyrannical few who are regarded as
their oppressors. Excessive taxation is
robbery, though the guilt and dashonor of
it may be distributed among millions OF
voters. When the people make law which
compels the capitalists of city to deliver
up their wealth at the doors of the city
treasury. for distribution among the labor
ers of the municipality, In the form Of un-
necessary and dishonest appropriations for
improvements, the act is not more honest
because committed by the people under the
forms of law. 1t is not wise to teach tho
people Of our country that nothing in their
political action can be wrong or unjust;
that robbery and injustice are to be ac-
counted right when perpetrated by the ma
jority by means of the ballot.