The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-15
LOCALIZED SOCIALISM.

model sermons and heads Of discourses.
LEGALIzED SOCIALISM.
The beginning of next year will see in
force in Germany that large and import
ant installment of Prince Bismarck's
state socialism, the law for the compul-
sorry insurance Of work people against
old age and inirmity. Many OF our
readers will have curiosity to learn
what measures have been taken for put
ting into workable shape this remarkable
new experiment in industry and govern
ment. They are explained in an official
notification describing the "transitory
clauses" for the enforcement of the law.
The blessings which compulsory insur-
ance will bring to the workmen of the
fatherland are still in the womb Of the
future; but in these "transitory clauses"
designed to tighten the friction and reg
ulate the pressure of the law on it's COM
ing into force, it is not difficult matter
to discern some of the penalties with
which the boon will be accomplished.
Under the leading conditions of the
act OF last session, pensions for "infirm-
ity' become available only after the
workman has paid his weekly contribu-
ton for a probationary period of five years
or 235 weeks, counting AZ contributory
weeks to each year. 10 secure title to
pension for "old age"-at II the work
man is reckoned old in the eye of the
law-it will be necessary, when the act
is fully in operation, to have been q
contributor for 80 years before the COM
pletion OF three score and ten. But the
"transitory clauses" make provision for
the cases of those who may meet with
accident, or become infirm, or fall into
the statutory ranks of the aged before
the expiration of what is called with an
unconscious touch of pathos the waiting
time. If the age of II steals upon the
workman before he has had time to pay
the whole of the 80 years. or l. 40 weeks
contributions, he is permitted to reckon
the weeks that arc wanting out OF the
years Of labor which he can prove he
has passed before this dispensation OF
state socialism came IN.
To make good such claims, an elabo
rate system Of certificates will be intro
troduced with the new year into the
social and industrial life of Germany
Unless the workman's certificates are ir
order, he will have none Of the benefits
of the insurance law. He may labor ant
regularly pay his contributions, varying
from IA to 80 pfennigs-11s cents to 8
per week, he may fall sick or becom.
unfit for work by reason of old age, bu
nothing will avail him without his Ger
tificates.
1t will be matter of very great diff
Guilty for the local and other authorities
to be able to certify honestly and cor.
rectly concerning every laborer's work
and age, health, behavior and wages
and yet all this they will have to do al
least until the law comes into full force
thirty years hence. The very precau
tions that are necessarily taken promise
to lead to petty corruptions reaching
down to the very foundations of society
and to establish, besides, a system OF
espionage that will involve in it's de-
testable network both workshop ant
home. The game, in fact, seems hardly
worth the candle and, as poor Richard
would say, they are paying too much fol
their whistle. Such, at least, is the i'm
preston that the workingmen of thii
country, living in an atmosphere o.
healthy individual freedom, self-hell
and emancipation from the constant
oversight of civil and military function
aries, will have of this scheme for tn,
, tentative application Of socialism in tn
sphere of labor.