Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1889-02-23
THE TRUE USES OF MEN.
To the WOrhmen'S AdNocQte.

10 me " IOfhIlPftS -IuHOcUtC.
On the third page of last Sundays st.
Paul Globe are two suggestive pictures
the one of Prof. 7. H. Garside, the
other Of James j. Hill. In looking at
the pictures of these two men and the
descriptive matter accompanying them,
one cannot help thinking how different
are the influences which they represent,
and how different must be the progress
and the end of life to each of them. The
one following the narrow path of pri-
vate interest, gradually gathering to
himself, by means not always commend
able, vast stores of the fruits of other
mems labor, depicting territories and
building mansions, draining the life
blood of the realm to feed a centralized
ulcer; the other pleading for human
ity's redemption, laying down upon the
altar of duty the pleasures of home,
comfort, friends, inhuenCe-all that
makes life path of roses to a soul sus-
Ceptible to the finer influences Of human
association.
Both of these men have high ability,
each in his own particular line. We do
not deny to Mr., Hill the genius of en-
ergy and organization. We would not
minify his value as a manager and di-
rector Of industrial forces; but we do
question the wOrthiness of motive in all
his efforts. Does he aim at anything
more than ACKNOWLEDGMENT? Would
the greatness OF his work give him pleas
ure if its benefits accrued to some other
person than himself! We fear it would
not. The Manitoba system must benefit
Mr.. Hill as a condition of securing his
effort or his interest. The system is
subordinate to the man; the public bus
mess secondary to his private ends
No civilized people would give into
the hands of their chief executive the
despotic power which rests in the hands
of James j. Hill. With a stroke of his
pen he can make every farmer who is
tributary to his lines pay him ten,
twenty, fifty or one hundred dollars.
Can the Governor of Minnesota levy
tax of one cent upon any citizen in this
State? No, not penny; and if prop
osition were made to give him that pow
er it would instantly and Indignantly re-
jected by the people. Not even the Sen
ate dare levy cent of tax upon the
people.
Mr.. Hill represents the highest and
most perfect form Of industrial organi-
zation under our present system of in
ddstry-and to what does this m atch-
less organization lead To the degrade
tlOn of the many; the enthronement of
the few. When the wretched farmers
out of whose product he has enriched
himself come to see him, they must run
the gauntlet of half dozen go-betwetns
and then approach him as they would
demi- -god-with fear and trembling
When the employees of the road are
granted an interview, they feel as if
they were going into the presence of Je-
h0vah himself.
All this tends to degrade men, to
make them feel mean, sneaking and con-
temptible; but it is the natural result of
the competitive system, and the policy
of giving public functions and and pub
lie liberty into the hands of the indlvid-
ual. TO tremble and crouch and fawn
before the man whom you know to be
taking part of what is justly yours,
this is no agreeable feeling; its whole
tendency is to breed slaves and hypo
Crites-mouth-worship by day, curses
and daggers by night.
Prof. Garside represents the most
complete revolt that an intelligent man
can make from the system described
the revolt which sets its face squarelv
against the system, accepts no compro.