The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-05-16
ON THE WATCH TOWER.

Caesars Column" is the latest contri-
button to fiction in the field of sociology.
Conservative thinkers will also declare
it the widest. The book has just APP
peared, and few have had time to read
it. 1t will be interesting to witness the
public's reception and hear its judgment
of this book. Like Looking Backward"
Caesars Column" is story of the TWEEN
tieth century, the year of action being
1888. but there the similarity ends.
While the former depicts state of So
ciety in which there are peace and plenty,
and where equity and love are the ruling
elements, the latter paints us CHASTITY
picture. In it democracy lies dead upon
the plain, stabbed to the heart by avarice;
the laborers have become slaves and the
farmers serfs, and the rich are heartless
and autocratic.
The story and civilization in America
and Europe end at one and the same
time. The final scene in New York city
is one of horror. The masses revolt
against the rule of the classes, and a
quarter of a million of the rich and their
supporters are butchered in the streets.
Their dead bodies, mixed with cement,
are used to construct monument in
commemoration of the death and burial
of modern civilization. Caesar Lomellini
is the brutal leader of the insurrection,
and he christens the monument Caesars
Column"
OF course New York has grown great
ly during 100 years, and then has "a pop
ulation of 10000, 900. Mankind has made
great material progress, and air ships
and improved methods of warfare figure
in the story. There is also the usual ro-
nance, and love, hatred and revenge
play their regulation parts. The author
does not present strong proof that he
possesses a superior knowledge of eco
nomics, but he seems to think he knows
whittier modern civilization is drifting,
and perhaps he is right.
Who wrote this startling book? There's
the question. The publisher says it was
written by ga man of wealth and high
social position, who believes that civiliza-
unless its steps are arrested by terrible
picture of the abyss that yawns before
it." Edmund Boisgilbert, M. d." is the
nom de plume employed. The book is
published by F. j. Schultz & Co., Chi
cago, and the author is said to reside in
that city.
Why was it written? Let the follow
ing extract from the preface answer: 81
seek to preach into the ears of the able
and rich and powerful the great truth
that neglect of the sufferings of their fell
lows, indifference to the great bond of
brotherhood which lies at the base of
Christianity, and blind, brutal and de-
grading worship of mere wealth, must
given time and pressure enough
eventuate in the overthrow of society and
the destruction of civilization"
eff my message be true it should be
spoken and the world should hear it,"
believing, as do, that 1 read
the future Alright, it would be criminal
in me to remain silent. I plead for
higher and nobler thoughts in the souls
Of men; for wider love and ampler
charity in their hearts; for renewal of
the bond of brotherhood between the
classes; for a reign Of justice on earth
that shall deliberate the cruel hates and
passions which now divide the world"
1t begins TO look very much like 1890
will be year distinguished for its labor
strikes. The union carpenters demand
for eight hours is, Of course, one of the
prime causes; but that did not cut any
figure in the strikes of the first three
months of the year. In March there were
eighty-two strikes, involving over 10000
employees. Fifteen strikes, in which 5000
workmen were directly concerned, were
inaugurated on the first day of the pres
ent month. But May will be the leader
of the year. The carpenters of Chicago
struck on April Z. This exception to the
general order for May was sanctioned
by the national organization.
And still they come! Rev. William
Barry has an article in the April Forum
which will put to thinking any reader, if
he have not less soul than q pump handle.
Here are few of its terse sentences:
"The struggle for wealth is turning
out barbarians by the Million"
"The great host of the proletariat are told
that there is for them no such thing as
right to work; much less have they a
right to eat. All they have is q right to
go into the labor Market there to sell
mind and muscle for what they will
fetch; and if the market is overstocked
and capital shy or unwilling, they may
betake themselves to the public highway,
being careful to move on" ''Nei-
Their millionaires nor mechanics will find
a market on the day of judgment"
y "The social question cannot be
any longer tabooed. 1t walks the streets
in every tramp and loafer or industrious
idle workman that rubs against us or
asks for copper" y y The vast
burden of poverty under which we are
staggering is mainly due to the appropri-
alton of public services, of social rights, by
individuals who neither can nor do rem
der an equivalent for them to their fell
low citizens" "Abolish the
monopoly of resources, now enjoyed by
few, and the nation would not be the
poorer by the smallest fraction of any
commodity at any moment after. But