The Labor enquirer., 1884-08-16
Eshieal Properly.

NE. Lazarus, NJ. D., writes about
"The Ethics of Property" in the Radical
Review august q. The article is pro
found this is proven by the big words
it contains, and the fact that the
editor says it needs study.
might study the differences between
anatural, legal and ethical property if
the distinctions were of any value. but !
have come to regard property as consist
ing of something which cost labor and
is useful. This, to me, supplies the need
for more cultured terms.
From some of the smaller words /
learn that legal property is that compli-
Gated kind which furnishes support to
lawyers. 4To this purpose it's involved
and technical language, its voluminous
complications of cross Jurisprudence and
influential precedents all concur"
No doubt about it.
There are, l admit, several kinds of
property, but for an imported warranted,
all.wool definition that will apply to all
kinds of property, from 6sh-hook to a
white elephant, the following beats all
records:
Property is the area of radiation and
reflection, unequal and irregular in its
outlines, for each indiyiduate personality,
during its transit through its local sphere
in time and phases of career"
/ have, for some time, believed that
those who cannot express themselves 80
that all can understand them, have no
ideas to express. i shall hold to this
opinion until my brain develops to the
necessities of this case. My search for an
idea in the above has been long, earnest
and futile.
From other of the small words learn
by intense study that capital is the result
of labor after deducting the costs. This
is the doctrine that justifes every rob-
berry of labor. By "eosts" is meant the
wages or subsistence of the laborer.
Thus the whole wealth produced is di-
vided into two parts, 1costs" and profit"
By paving the costs with previous plum
der, the CAPITALIST is justified in keeping
the rest as profit, no matter how small
the wages paid, nor how deep the dis
tress which forced the laborer iAto an
unfair bargain. :. ~ T.
But what proportion should the costs
bear to the whole? How can we find
the extra cost of production ~
The airon law" answers: Enough to
support helaborer. That does not satisfy
justice. Some American laborers have
good food, good clothes and an occasional
theater ticket. The coolie has rice, poor
clothes and no theater. If the wages ot
the latter represent the true "costs" in
production, then the capitalist who pays
the American laborer is wronged by the
extortion. If the wages of the Ameri-
can are just then the coolie is robbed.
What standard of life shall the Iaborer
adopt so that the ratio of costs to profit
shall be scientifically just? If any diVi-
sion is just we should aim to give the
same per cent to labor, and the remainder
to capital in every case. 5.
Such sn adjustment cannot be made
therefreo the wage-system causes con-
tinual injustice. H.. s.j.7
To say the laborer should receive the
whole and spare nothing for profit, would
simplify the matter and appeal to our
sense of justice. Some croaker now says
"But without the motive of gain capital
cannot be used" That is venerable
falsehood, and stupid one too, for right
under the croaker's nose is its refutation.
He cannot look around without seeing
wealth used as capital without the ele-
ment of profit entering into the process.
Expensive streets, parks and water
works are among the kinds of wealth so
used. The most successful venture of all,
the mail system, is another. The Shakers
can employ $12,000,000 in any enterprise
they want to undertake, but not one OF
them wants individual profits out Of the
business. The Oneida communists sell
their canned stuff for more than their
competitors can get, but not capitalist
can be found among them. Profit is an
evil but not necessary one. 1 wish to
prove this by the broad principle that
In nature there are no necessary evils,
There may be choice of evils in case
where the conditions do not conform to
nature. Surely, men are now able to
deal with principles and stop manipu.
lating evils. F.,
DR.. Lazarus tries to show the Justice OF
interest and rent by supposing things
that could not exist. In fancy the doc.
tor settles upon unoccupied land, clears,
improves, builds and cultfvates it for
several years, then becomes disabled and
| asks: r-&T . r d.
May or may not my infrmity claim
in rent an award for the use of my past
labor represented in my improvements"
Yes, doctor, if you can get it, but the
conditions you have supposed do not
admit of rent mo existing govern.
ment" would give every man as much
land as you have. Right here you again
suppose: my neighbor who may
choose between the virgin forest and my
field. prefers to share with me the crops
he makes unon nv field Do T roh him