The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-06
LABOR AND PROPERTY.
The Views of a Practical Millionaire Employ
err of W0rkmeB.

Pierre LoriIlard in North American Review.
When any one at the present day takes the
side of labor in its struggle for existence he is
called a Socialist" TO the superficial observ-
er, to the unframed thinker, this word conveys
the impression of arson riot and the unbalanc-
ing of all old ideas of quiet and safety of prop
erty. 1t seems incredible, In this age of reason,
that the friends and advocates of labor should be
cassed with Nihilsts, Anarchists and dynainit-
ers and that murder and destruction of prop
erty should he considered part of their mis-
sion. That such an opinion is general cannot
be denied; but to reach the conclusion that the
world is not yet coming to end by means OF
socialism, think it is only necessary TO give a
little stady to the relations of capital and labor
In the first place. what is capital2 Merely the
accumulated tokens of past labor saved by
thrifty and prudent men, for the use of the pres.
ent army Of those who toll for their bread. Why
should labor be jealous of capital2 One might
as we'll expect the earth 70 be jealous of the
clouds, which hold condensed moisture, return
ing it in rain TO enable the parched land to pro-
duce food for its furnishing thousands. The
capitalist is merely laborer, who. by industry
and judicious savings. mas condensed some of
labors past wages to distribute them to his fell
lows that they may again produce living, and
that some small portion may be recondensed to
reproduce itself and enable suffering humanity
to live. That labor should quarrel with capital
seems as strange to an intelligent being as that
young birds should be jealous of their mothers
experience, which fits her to provide for their
helpless daily wants.
The rights of labor at this time engage the at
tention of all intelligent persons, and the future
of capital and labor makes old women and miser-
ly capitalists shudder. for fear of parting with
their dollars in Acknowledge the rights of their
colaborers. They forget that they are merely
the custodans of the condensed labor of poor
workers. and cannot justly holdsit except for the
benefit of other workers who follow them. They
cannot bury it. for it would produce no interest.
They must necessarily lend it to the laborers of
the time to enable such laborers to produce and
live
The rights of labor have been written about in
many ways, none of which strike me as meeting
the question.
For many years have employed large num-
bers of persons. and have carefully considered
their conditions and prospects. l have tried TO
devise some way of bene6ting those hard worked
persons who thoroughly represent the side of
labor. / have plan, which believe is original,
for securing in their behalf perfect justice and
political equality, so that they cannot say justice
is all on the side of capital This plan / will
briefly describe
In each congressional district would have the
trades send delegates to meeting, for the pur-
pose of choosing representatives TO labor con-
gress for one year. These chosen representa-
tives should nominate two Senators to repre-
sent their State in a national labor ssnate-one
senator elected for two years, the other for
five years. This body of labor senators
and representatives should hold an annual
labor congress one month In each year. The del
egates from the congressional districts would re-
feet the wishes of their constituents: l. O., the
various trades of their districts. The senate