The Labor enquirer., 1886-08-28
SOLVING PROBLEMS.
The Author OF "The New Republic"
Presents a Logical Essay
on the Subject.
For The ENQUIRER.
BY E. ]. sCHELLHOUs.

For The Enquirer.
BY E. ]. sCHELLHOUs.
If anyone were to attempt to gath
up the so. called solutions of the prob
lens of life he would engage In an end
less task. The wisdom of the worlds
sages, ancient and modern combined, al
though brought to bear with special
force upon these questions, has left them
as much IN doubt as ever.
The theologian relegates the whole
matter to the domain of the supernat-
ural. He ignores all rational attempts
at solution, and declares that implicit
obedience to the will of God as revealed
in the Holy Scriptures is the only solu-
brother theologian with a different In
terpre alton of that will, Upon these
differences of opinion and the conflicts
of interest growing out of them, antag-
onisms arise which are sought to be de-
termined by the sword and the rack.
The result is, the victor becomes the
tyrant and the victim cowardly sub
servient slave. These relations resolve
themselves into despotism, self-aggran-
dizement and imperial authority en- the
one hand, and bigotry, superstition and
fanatical devotion to authority on the
other.
These conditions do not meet the re-
quirements of life; and while the right
to exercise authority thus gained is con-
ceded on the part of the subJugated, a
vague and indefnaoIe unrest and dis
content pervade all classes of society.
The statesman enters upon the solu-
ton of life's problems by different ap-
proach. He refers the whole matter to
the domain of government. He studies
the origin of customs long established,
which he takes for granted are founded
on justice because they receive universal
assent. He formulates these into laws
which become the supreme power of the
land. Upon their administration he
finds it necessary to establish courts.
Conflicting interests arise which are
sought to be determined by the meaning
and intent of the law. Advocates for
the litigants appear before the Judge
They discuss the law in all its bearings
on the case. A decision is reached
which becomes a precedent for other
like cases. These multiply until thou,
sands of volumes are filled with them,
and many other thousands contain the
laws upon which they are founded.
The consequence is, that large class
of professional men, many of them are
possessed of frare talent and great ability,
exercise absolute control over the ad'
ministration of the law and have de-
veloped an interest exclusively their
own, and, to say the least, not in har-
mony with the peoples interest.
In the eager pursuit Of wealth.. indi-
vidual conflicts arise involving great in,
terests. These are to be adiudicated in
accordance with the law. These pro-
fessional men, who have the control O.
the whole matter, manage the interests
of those in dispute in such way as tt
secure their own greatest interests.
So the conditions brought into exist
ence bv this mode of solving life's prob
Iems reduces the community to depend
ence on a class of men whose interests
are not in common with the peoples in
terest. A growing discomfort and fre
quent riotous outbreaks testify to th'
fact that the solution of the problems O.
life does not lie in this direction.
! Continued on fourth pagel