The advocate., 1890-03-26
PIutooraoy 90 1 ls.

a man needs $4,000 a year to live on.
The trustees, in this case, foind that the
recipient was not extrayagnt, though
his expenses frequently exceeded his in
come. The plaintiff has demanded, and
obtained upon this trial, dGailed state
ment Of all moneys applied BY the trus-
tees TO the use of Osborn Oh deiendant)
and has examined one of the.rustees as a
witness. Not an item Of improper or
even extravagant expenditur, appears on
the record, and no suggestion has been
made that any item has been open to OBJ
lection on the strictest mora ground
The presumption is, therefore, all In
favor Of the trustees, who did not per
sonally know of Osborns HABITS, and
against the plaintiff, who did, AID who
lent Osborn money knowing II wa' likely
to be used for immoral purposes, Law
yers say that the courts have beel grow
ing more liberal in their consideration Of
the question which often arises, how
much money is needed for mans sup
port? They take into account a mans
social surroundings, and the amount Of
money he has been accustomed TO epend-
ing, and in this case the proposition II fiat
ly set forth that an unmarried, man with
no dependencies, may claim legally that
he needs $4,000 year for living ex-
penses.
The above Is taken from the World,
and may be considered fair example of
the present plutocratic tendencies in this
country as passed upon by an American
court of law If this decision Is TO stand
as a rule of the past and precedent for
the future, the state Of society is indeed
deplorable, and the stability of free lnsti
tutions are endangered With such wide
differences of conditions among the Zoo
pie as will permit one person TO legally
demand 100000 for his individual sup
port in idleness each year, and compel
whole family to labor continuously for
the same period and live upon less tnan
$780, where lies the hope for future pro-
gress or that patriotism and love Of cOun-
try will continue to obtain? Such pro-
Geedings as this are among the certain
channels of information through which
those who produce the wealth Of the
country are made acquainted with It's un-
just distribution. Is il TO be wondered
at, in view of this, that the laboring
classes are becoming restless, or the
mortgage ridden farmer is finding fault
with his surroundings $4,000 repre-
sents, at the present time, more than
$4,000 hard days work, or the continuous
yearly labor Of at least $50 able-bodied
men. Should proper distribution Of
the fruits of toll permit one man to alb
s0rb and squander the hard earnings Of
$50 Of his fellows? A closer calculation
will disclose the fact that to obtain this
large sum would require the absolute
net income above bare living OF more
than 1000 average laborers each year
IL is just such developments as this
that sicken and disgust well-mean-
ing men with present conditions, and
force them to band together in the in
terest of justice and reform. No one
person can legitimately eXpend $4,000
per year for personal needs or comforts.
For this reason the greater portion must
be squandered in vice and immortality.
The individual, therefore, who INDUCES
in such extravaganza becomes a curse to
any community in which he may be
found. He is above the law, and gener-
ally beyond criticism, and his example is
far worse than a colony of thieves, thugs
or robbers. The very atmosphere which
surrounds him is heavy with crime, de-
bauchery and lawlessness. But few can
become his associates without partaking,
to more or less degree, of a desire to be
similarly situated, and to that endeavor
may be traced many of the crimes of the
present day. 1t is to eliminate such in
4 r.