St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1889-12-26

has multiplied by geometrical ratio.
This wealth has been appropriated
by a small class SO that today 2OO,
900 men have as much property as
all the rest of the people. Ten thou
sand people nearly own New York
city. Over 60 per cent of the bond
ed debt of the United States is in the
hands of $500 persons. Within 80
years one sixth-hundredth of the peo-
pie of this nation have frozen out"
65,OOO,OO0 co-partners from more
than half the assets and within 80
more years they will have secured the
rest
The evil effect of the concentration
of wealth may be distinguished as
political, social and industrial The
business man, the small tradesman,
small manufacturers and profession
al classes are suffering quite as much
and have as much to dread from
monopolistic movement as has the
poorestlaborer. The growth of syn
dictate control in all departments of
business crowds out the great mid
die class, the business men of mOder-
atem means and plentiful wit who used
to conduct the business of the conn
try While this concentration of
control is economical, the saving is
secured by the capitalist. There is
now almost no opportunity to start
in business in moderate way. This
means that the time is rapidly com
ing when there will be but two in
dustrial classes-the very rich and a
vast horde absolutely dependent on
them for support. Meanwhile the
professions are OvercrOwded to the
starvation point. The agricultural
interests of the country too are pass
ing under the yoke of money. I'm
less the present tendency of the farm
ers to be appropriated of their land
by the mortgage system is checked,
the next generation of farmers will
be tenants-at-will The agrarian con-
ditions of Ireland bid fair to be re-
produced in the West
Our plan for industrial reorganiza-
ton, which must form the basis of
any higher human development, is
the simple one of placing the indus
trial duty of citizens on the ground
where their military duty rests. Why
not hold every able-bodied citizen
bound to work for the nation and
also hold the nation bound to guar
antee a livelihood to every citizen.
The obligation to work would de
pend on strength to work, but the
right to support, on citizenship only.
The result would be the cessa ton of
the represent industrial civil war. The
plan is not only practicable but is
the only scientific method for prOduc-
ing wealth. To realize this plan, re-
quires first that the nation through
its government shall acquire the in
dustrial machinery of the country.
must begin with the progressive ma
of the industries of the
United States. In proposing this,
we antagonize not men but q sys-
tenn. We would charge the law by
constitutional methods. AS to prior
ity of naturalization, the preference
should be given to those industries
whose great wealth makes them
most dangerous to Legislative indie
pendence; to those which deal OPP
pressively with employees; to those
which can be readily assimilated by
departments of the govern
ment. The following are measures
in line with this policy. The nation
alization of railroads, of telegraph
and telephone systems, of the express
business of the country, of the coal
mining business; and, lastly, that
shall control lighting,
hea ting, street-car and all other
services such as are now
by corporations. OF
course, all these services under gov
eminent or municipal control would
be discharged at cost and not for
profit.
The Nationalist ton of the indus
tries already mentioned would
effect the condition of l 800
600 workers, and, indeed, one such
great department of production or
thus organized would
greatly hasten the general adoption
of the system. Meanwhile, as a
which cannot wait, we urge
that such partial support as may be
needful to enable them to attend
school be provided from the public
treasury for the children of parents
unable to maintain them without
aid from their labor; and also that
be made rigidly compul-
sorry. We also advocate careful re-
striction of immigration to prevent
the Importation of ignorance and
vice In relation to certain other
leading political and social issues of
the day, nationalism has a remedy.
Tariffs will no longer be necessary.
AS to the race issue, the industrial
discipline imposed on all will be an
IDEAL system for elevating the colored
people. AS to woman's rights, the
nationalist plan will put an end
to every form of sexual slavery. No |
plan less radical can avail. Since the |
evils of intemperance have their root |
N the brutalizing condition of exist
ng society, nationalism offers the
most promising and most radical
inc of temperance reform. The
are persuaded that any
measure applying to land alone, will
not be an adequate remedy for indus
trial and social troubles
NEEDS BALLOT REFORM. |
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