The Labor enquirer., 1886-03-06
GALL Is WELL"

The Current Iof Chicago is an able
journal which may rank in literature
along with the Leslie and Harper peri
odicals, when it has grown for a score OF
wears instead Of but two or three. But
while we may admire its literature, So
cialists cannot refrain from criticising its
economic teachings in which it, as well
as other cultured journals. show more
literary polish than actual investigation.
An editorial on the charities of Chicago
is directed at the reformer, Revo luton
ist Anarchist, Socialist, and the discon-
tented man. T1ese words are all used,
and no doubt mean what the word
Socialist generally conveys to the sup
porter of the present system. The edi-
torial begins:
"The man who tolls ten hours dav
has little time to study the doings of 30.
ciety. 1t therefore should be the
aim of the benevolent not only to
do good, but to Eeep the laboring popula-
ton informed Of their good works.
That is, be careful to inform your left
hand what your right doeth, destrhoing
the adage. Do good and publish the
acts. Hand bill, might do.
To classify all the points in the Cur
rents doctrine, it will be necessary to
quote, right here, the closing sentences
of the editorial
THE Current, in summarizing the gen.
eral charity, and defining particular
one, has had exactly this object in view
Ito induce better understanding By
society Of society. AS it is, one class be-
lieves all is well the other believes all
is ILL.,"
The statements of the Current places
it with the first class. Point No. l : "All
iswel" when men toll ten hours per
day.
"The discontented man complains of
the unequal distribution of products.
, Let him hear more ofthat distribution !"
i Now the Current does not claim that
distribution is equal or just, or that
charity makes it 50; therefore, point No.
2: There is unequal distribution, but
"all is W ell"
1.-The Central church. has erected a
brick edifce at acost of $4,000. Here
many good people meet and labor for
the good of the poor and uninstructed.
1t is the main idea of this particular
coterie of practical workers that the
effective way of bettering society as a
whole, is through the education and cul-
tiYation of the ch ildren of the regrettable
elements of population"
Point No. 8: Society has "regrettable
elements yet "all is we'll" The Cur
rent has not been informed of the actual
object of the Socialist.
Perhaps its editor will admit that at
is more blessed to give than to receive"
This makes the programme in brief ::
First, unequal distribution to place a
portion of society in position to give
and second, to give largely and be
blessed the recipients to stife all indie
pendent feelings, fllthemselves up with
food, be contented, and "all is WELL"
Now the Socialist simply objects to this
formula He would remove the reasons
why the members of Central church can.
besides having all luxuries possible at
home, spare $4,000 out of their unequal
share of an une equal distribution, to
build brick house to humiliate large
portion of society.
tits programme which is to be kept
up eternally for all the Current and the
Central church know. For "regrettable
elements" will be found in society until
unjust distribution ceases. And all the
education impaired to the children of the
"regrettable element" will but make
them miserable victims ofunnatural sur.
roundings if they be moral; or accom-.
! plished thieves and rascals if they be
immoral. They must become honest
tramps or railroad and bank stock
dealers. But so long as charitable peo-
pie may be blessed BY giving what they
4 never earned, call is we'll"
"a creche is maintained at this school,
whereby working women may leave
their infants while earning wages aud 1t
is a part of the two missions of which
we speak in detail to obtain such toll for
each mother"
And this is rebuke to the Socialist !!
Great God -"Working mothers" who
ought to be nursing their babes, must
leave them to earn wages, and point
No. A .all is WE'LL"
Thus, by taking as a permanency
every evil that the Socialist would
destroy, the Current mentions the vari-
GUS ameliorations proposed bv the PAM
pered dolls who hold wealth by accident
and know nothing of real remedies, and
imagine that twill silence the Socialist
"The charaties Of great city ought to
be published in every labor union and
every meeting of Anarchists p
Why2 The Anarchists and Socialists
know all about the evils and the quack
remedies. Multiply your charities two
fold and you have not takena step to-
ward removing the evils. The Central