The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-12

The above is the title of paper con-
tributed to the August Forum by DR.. Ly-
man Abbott, successor of Henry Ward
Beecher in the pastorate of Plymouth
church, Brooklyn. 1t is q polished pro.
duction, and the argument is handled with
the learned writer's usual ability. 1t would
create an ideal state OF human affairs If
DR.. Abbott's suggestions of industrial evo-
luton could be carried into effect, but like
all millenniai conceptions the apparent
difficulty is to put 1t into practical execu.
ton.
Sharply stated. his idea Ia that the same
principles should be applied to Industrial
affairs as have brought about the evolution
of our political system. which he views as
an advance from government by one man,
to government by a tew men, to govern
ment by the many, and finally to self-gov-
eminent, or government of the people, for
the people and by the people. And in like
manner he would have a common wealth
OF the people, for the people and by the
people. Or adopting the language of
Lavelye. each person should enjoy what he
produces, all he produces and no more
than he produces.
He decries socialism and anarchism. and
very clearly draws the line between these
and the principles which in his Judgment
should prevail. But for all that, his no.
tons bear close kinship to those of Henry
George. between which and rank socialism
many people find it impossible to draw
distinct line. For instance. he holds that
those who derive profit from the possession
OF oil wells, coal beds, iron mines, timber
tracts and the like are enjoying an undue
share of the bounties of nature, while
those who make large profit by control of
appliances for the use of steam, electric.
ity, etc., enjoy an undue advantage from
the operation of natural forces.
Quite naturally, as sequence to all this.
he holds that capital obtains an undue
share OF the joint product of capital and
labor. The value of railroads he makes
dependent upon the productive industries
in operation along their lines, tn value of
New York's wharves to the fact that three
million people are congregated back of
them. etc.
As first remedial step he would make
the federal government at least regulate
the transportion lines and the telegraph !:
the municipal governments own and control
water-works, gas works, street lighting.
street cars. etc. But a method for giving TO
capital and labor their exactly Just share of
the joint proouct is not clearly set forth.
nor is 1t apparent that there is any way
short OF revolutionary spoliation to pre-
vent those who have lawfully acquired for.
ests, mines, oil wells or lands from reap,nv
the full benefits of their acquisitions.
For instance, when Denny, Yesler and
other pioneers penetrated the Puget Sound
wilderness. turning their backs on the
social advantages of more populous dis
tricts, and accepted privation and hard.
ships while creating homes for themselves
and their posterity, there can be no pre.
tense that their acquisitions were unreason.
able or unjust. or that they enjoyed
an undue share of natures bounties. nor
was there anything Unfair in the trans.c.
ton when others followed, and without
suffering any privations themselves wanted
a part OF what these pioneers had endured
much in creating and paid them an agreed
price for it.
And when. after toll and intelligent
search, perhaps after many failures. a DER.
son bores and taps an oil well, or buvs at
an agreed price one that some other person
has tapped. the mass of people are supplied
with better ana cheaper iIluminant than
they had before, nobody is made poorer.
or in any way injured because the discov.
erer or purchaser OF this hitherto hid.
den and useless bounty OF nature makes
a fortune in lettering the condition of the
rublic by enabling them to use II And
simular arguments are applicable TO the
operation OF mines, timber tracts and the