Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1884-01-18
THE LABOR QUESTION.
Communicated.

IL 10 lNdIit aAi'uS'ii, ~
no. personally interested in politics, to
observe what distressing and heart
rending efforts the democrats are max
ing thus early in the campaign, to in
fuence the laborlng man to vote with
them.
A short time since we noticed ter
rible howl in democrat organ, IN re-
gard to a dinner glver by w. H. Van
derbilt of n. Y. that cost $Ioo.ooo
In commenting on this terrible event,
this chronic grumblcr says ii half of
this amount had been given to the
poor ofthe city, much more good would
have been accomplished, and his
memory would be cherished after his
death by better men than he now as
sociates with" or words to that effect.
Now ifthese teachers would be more
honest, and put these matters in their
true light there would be better feeling
existing between all classes OF people.
Now how did Vanderbilt obtain his
vast wealth. Was il obtained by his
IDLY laying around saloons in drunk
en- stupor, like good many of these
SO called laboring men are in the hab,
it of doing, or did he gain his wealth
by his own energy and close attention
to business.
Certainly if by the latter means, he
has right to use it as he pleases
Now this rich man makes a dinner and
spends $Ioo,ooo for the same, and
he and his friends enjoy this feast for
one day, but what becomes Of the mon
ey thus spent. Certainly the laboring
man gets it. The farmer, the mechan-
ic the merchant and all classes of la
boring men are benefited. SIoo. 900
put in circulation and no one is the
loser but w. H. Vanderbilt.
Thus it is with all those grand en-
tertainments they distribute the mon
ey to all that viii make an effort and
do a vast amount of good, and the
rich man Is the loser.
This Is a free country and every
man has the privilege of accumulatng
all the property he can and Of using j,
as he sees cause.
By this we mean by the legitimate
transactions of business.
Now the accumulation Of wealth /:
something we all desire and strive tc
excel IN the lace. We do not all have
the ability to accumulate fortune
and some men are too lazy to procure
even the necessaries oflife.
This last class of men are the grum
blers and dissatisfied parties tina
would like to enjoy fine suppers anc
grand banquets. but have not got tht
energy and stamina to make gooc
chambermalds.
The man that is industrious, and pru
dent in any occupation, in this couAtr,
| that he engages in will succeed and h,
r will not have much time to grumble.
S 1t is an evident fact that in our larg
= cities where the labor question is mos
a agltated that the wealthy man Is tn,
). one that bears the burden OF taxes 70
! the support OF all that the poor of tn
/ cities enjoy Take St Louis for in
/ stance. There we find Shaw's Gardel
/ one of the finest flower gardens of tn
5 world, made, tended and keptin repai
: by Mr.. Shaw at his own expense an,
r what for! That the poor of St. Loui
y may have a place Of amusement an
: rest from their labors and an opportuy
j ity Of enjoying the beauties OF thi
grand old place with out money or re
e straint. And this IS donated 10 tn
: city by Mr.. Shaw for the use of tn
e public as long as the city stands. Thi
: is dong grand thing for the poor br
r Mr.. Shaw is doing this in his own wa
II which he has right to do.
Again notice the Grand park ne;
e the garden, Forrest park, and variou
1 other public places of amusement
e thrown open the poor and rich alk
D where the laborer can spend his lei
r ure time in the purest and most whole
r some enjoyment if he wishes. This
: all done by men of means for they al
. the ones that pay the heaviest take:
But we are pained to relate that bl
very few OF the iaborers of this plac
wish to enjoy those places so kindl
{ thrown open to them, but would pre-
fer the saloon the dance house or som
other equally disreputable place I
vile away his leisure moments.
{ Riches do not come unbidden, bl
( we must work in some way to accum,
y late.