Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-05

" unknown 1t fingers on = small scale,
and more or less secretly, in our larger
towns and cities. producing in them the
evils which inevitably arise from 1t where
ever it exists.
The successful party at the recent election
affirmed the principles of prohibition in Its
resolutions. and also recommended that the
people of our State be allowed the oppor-
tunity of expressing an opinion at the polls,
on a constitutional amendment, which, II
adopted, will make prohibition part OF the
organic law of the State. Kansas and Iowa,
BY vote of the people, have Incorporated
prohibition into their respective constitutions,
and a very active agitation is now in progress
in manv other States to the same end. The
right of the people to determine for them
selves what is most conducive to their
interests, is in accord with the theory OF
popular government Furthermore. con-
stitutional prohibition would have the effect
of keeping the question, to considerable
extent, if not entirely, out of party politics.
In view of these facts. the Legislature will be
called upon bv petition and otherwise. as it
has already been asked by the voice of
the sovereign people. to submit to them the
determination of this question. Ii Is your
province to consider this request, aid what
ever may be the final result. let the voice OF
the people be the law of the Land.
IMPORTANT MATTERS.
| would call your attention TO the copsid-
Grafton of some better method OF collecting
statistics in regard to the resources. industries
and material growth of our State; to the ap-
pointment of a valuation commission at some
future day, looking for n more systematic and
Just valuation of the State, and better dis
tribution of the burdens of taxation.
The question of giving the women of our
State the right of suffrage on all occasions,
at least the practicability of removing many
restrictions, is in keeping with justice and
progress made bv other States and worthy of
favorable legislation.
DANGEROUS HEREsrEs.
OF late, public attention has been called TO
what is styled the unequal distribution of
property by class of asitators, whose pur-
pose appears to be to create discomfort among
the masses by the advocacy of some indie
finite scheme for the equal distribution of
property outside the law. Because all men
are equal in the eye of the law, they illogi-
cally assume that they should enjoy equal
ownership in property. Plausible as may be
this doctrine in theory. in practice it would
destroy that motive and ambition which in
spire the individual to-the highest effort. In
der the most favorable conditions given
number of men will not acquire the same
possessions. Place two men side by side in
the same occupation; one will acquire pro-
perty wear by year, while each years end
will find the other in less favorable circum-
stances than at its beginning. Does any one
believe that any policy of government or any
code of laws can make both these men equal
ly successful? If not, is there any pretence
of justice i'll a theory which claims that these
Shn ha hv
ing one of his accumulations to make up for
lack of skill, care or industry in the other?
Law can and should protect the poor and
weak against the exactions of the powerful
and graspng; it can secure to the unfortu-
nate given amount of property which the
creditor should be forbidden to touch; it can
make him secure in the prosecution of an
honorable vocation: it can give the laborer Il
first lien upon the products of labor and cap
ital for his wages it can and should compel
corporate wealth to respect personal rights
should it attempt to ignore them. All this
the laws of his State now give to the hum
blest individual. Further, our system of tax
alton treats with property rather than with
persons; to that end, our public schools are
largely supported by general tax, so that
many OF the smaller and poorer towns receive
more than they contribute.
Is there a sane man in Maine who will say
to-day, that the laws should be so changed
to take the property of the more prosDer-
Gus and divide it among those less so, In
deed, is there one who will offer system by
which present apparent inequalities can be
prevented?
Equality of conditions is known only among
those savage tribes where poverty and want
are the common lot. As soon as men achieve
civilization. part will be more successful in
10 pf wealth
just as few men will excel the majority by
force of their superior intellectual endow-
ments.
The State can do this it can give to all an
education which will, as far as human agency
can do it, remove natural differences between
men and enable them to intelligently make
use of their natural endowmcnts. Industry
energy, and prudence with good common
sense, will usually insure a good degree of
success.
Only the communist and the demapogue
will ignore these truths. More than all other
influences, the teacher, the press and the pull
pit can impress upon the young those princ-
pies of honesty, honor, self-reliance, perse-
verance and economy, which will ms ure a
competency to all.
CORPORATE WEALTH.
In this State the relations between CAPITAL
isfactory. There exist harmony and good
feeling and a reciprocity of interest between
all classes and all vocations. This should be
encouraged by every good citizen. The evils
of monopoly and the power exerted by con
solidated wealth, injuriously felt in some
communities, are not likely to gain any dan
gerous foothold among an intelligent people,
and where the ownership of land is so largely
and well distributed as it is in Maine. The
general intelligence and virtue of the people
will stand as a barrier against any unjust on
preston arising from any source; and it will
protect the ownership of property, and the
rights of every individual, with the single
purpose of doing justice to the citizen,
whether rich or poor. Let every concession
be made and all laws be passed, which will
elevate those industrial classes and interests
which add so much to the dignity, importance
and material advancement of our State
In the routine of business life there cannot
he absolute security from wrong practices.
neither can justice be meted out equally to
all classes and vocations. There should,
however, be an intelligent watchfulness on
the part of the lees favored communities and
their representatives who. by the nature of
their vocations and the laws which regulate
business. can never accumulate large for