Los Angeles herald., 1891-05-23
THE POPE'S LETTER.
Leo's Encyclical on the So
cial Problem.
The Socialist Theory Rejected
by Divine Law.
The Relation of the State to the In
dividual Set Forth.
Absolute Social Equality Declared to be
Chimera-Men and Masters
Rights.
Associated Press Dispatches.

ROME, May 22.-The full text OF the
pope's encyclical on the social question
has appeared. The following extracts
are taken from it: The pope sets forth
that the divine law rejects the socialist
solution OF the social problem, which
would abuse private property, substi-
tuting collective and common owner
ship. Now, as ever, mems relations to-
ward each other as individuals or parts
of society, must have the sanction of
the old authority.
Considering the relations of the state
to the individual, the pope says: ''To
think that the authority OF the state
ought arbitrarily to invade family inti-
macy, is perilous error. Undoubtedly
it can intervene when the condition Of a
family is too disastrous, but only to al
leviate it and safeguard the rights and
interests of the public, without violat-
ing the rights OF individuals. We af-
firm unhesitatingly that human afforts
are impotent without the concurrence
of the church."
A long demonstration follows recit-
ing all the church has done to better
the lot of the proletariate. The'pope
Bays: Capital is powerless without
work, and vice versa. The proletariate
cannot and ought not injure either cap
ital or master. To obtain the respect
4 of their rights, they must abstain fiom
violence. They ought not have recourse
to sedition nor listen to the chimerical
promises of agitators. On the other
hand, the master ought to respect the
individuality and dignity of the man
and Christian in the workmen not
abuse them inhumanely in their
work, nor exploit them beyond their
force. The state ought to watch over
the purity, morals and interior order OF
families. The safe keeping OF religion,
justice and moderation, is the equal di-
vision OF public charges. The larger the
general prosperity, the less will workers
seek recourse to exceptional means to
ameliorate their condition. Proletarians
have same rights as citizens as the rich,
consequently they have q right to the
same interest on the part of the
state. Absolute equality, however,
is a chifnera. The state ought to see
that all covenants relating q WORK Are
conscientiously observed, and oppose
anything that might cause popular pas
sions. Small wages often give rise to
strikes, disastrous not only to the work
men and masters, but to general COM
merce and public industry. Govern
ments ought to prevent an explosion at
these crises. The state ought not
let workmen become the prey OF specu-
lators and usurers. A mans work
should not 60 to such extent that he is
forced to succumb under an excess OF
corporal fatigue; consequently the ex-
pediency is shown in certain limita-
ton of working hours.
"The question of wages is delicate.
The state should see that the agreements
entered into by workmen are respected.
An element of the question is that work.
men ought to be able with their salary
to provide the necessities Of life. A
great social advantage lies in laws
which favor the multiplicity
of properties. These are the best means
to prevent opposition between extreme
riches and extreme poverty. But it is
also necessary that properties shall not
be overtaxed. Institutions for aiding
the poor and facilitating conciliation be-
tween the various social classes, are es-
pecially useful in obtaining desirable re-
suits" eY 5ts
The pope particularly mentions asso-
Citations for mutual succor, and institu-
tions for insurance in case of accident,
sickness or death, and the protection OF
children and girls. He attaches
particular importance to the work
ing peoples associations; expati-
ates on the advantages of liber-
ty and right of combination, as long as
these associations do not present any
inconvenience to public interests, "Un-
happily" he says, lit often occurs that
these associations are made the puppets
of wire-pullers. 1t is important to Gre
ate counter association to withdraw
workmen from the unjust expressions"
The pope greatly praises those endeav-
oring to better the condition Of the pro-
telariate; to establish bonds of mutual
equity between workmen and masters; !;
to maintain sentiment to reciprocal du-
ties, and combat intemperance among
workmen.