Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1891-03-28
(COnciuded.l

tune is not solely due to the eco
nomicaly correct action of the prop
erty holding class and the shiftlessness
of the possessing class, to what
other cause can it be attributed? Whence
comes it that Capital concentrates more
and more in the hands of the small
minority while the mass of wage. labor
ers, despite their industry, can scarcely
satisfy their barest needs? The reason
for this can evidently be found nowhere
else than in distribution of the product
of labor disproportionate to the labor
performed and, therefore, unjust.
We shall not investigate the chain of
historical conditions in consequence of
which the workman was gradually sep.
arated from the means of production
ana the present disproportion between
work and wages brought about. The
question now is:
What has the State done to bring
about a more just distribution of the
product of labor? Has it made any at
tempt by legislation or otherwise to pro-
tect the workngman against the superior
power Of capital or to set a limit to the
social inequality that is growing from
day to day?
Whoever scrutinizeS the history of the
nations down to the present day will
find that in this direction practically
nothing has been done.
Nobility, clergy and the higher digni-
taries of State have separately and to-
| gether exercized an almost exclusive
control in public affairs; they have not
| hesltated to turn to account for Thorn
| selves and their own interests power and
wealth from which all should have prof.
tied equally, Legislation itself fai
from distributing air and sunshine equit,
ably in the economic race, has con.
tributed its large share by comforting
| privileges on the one hand and inter
ferlng with liberty on the other, tc
widen and deepen the chasm between
the property holding and the non-pos
sessing classes.
How then can any one blame the mer
of toll, if, having aWwakened to the con
seriousness of their rights and THEN
power, they demand from the State {
yery special consideration of their st
long neglected interests: When, in the
article of the Zurich Constitution. State
protection and State help Is especially
promised to the workers, there is in
VOWED in this no infringement upon the
principle of equality. There is no ques
ton; as some anxious souls fear. Of
feeding the poor working man at the
cost of the rich citizen; stlI less Of form
ing a privileged class of workiugmen
stipendiaries of the government. /
is simply the frank and honorably out
spoken recognition by the law givers o
the States duty to do that which ha,
been left undOne and to explate in JUS
tice committed. SO righting the socla
wrong for which the State is, in part
responsible 1t is only the wished-fol
fulflment of that which we have called
the demand for reCOnciliatlng and Iep
aratlve justice.
But the Zurich Constitution does no
stop with the recognition of the duty
and responsibility of the State in general
it specifies in precise terms the means by
which alone the working class can nov
be helped
The development of co operation
| 1 I,,.l e., Ia,
and assisted.
The ultimate object of this process o
development is; The abolition of wages
labor by the gradual transition from tn,
wages system to that of cooperative
labor.
Let us glance now in detail at hi
demands TO be made of the State. /. {.
the whole community of individuals.
First comes unrestricted freedom o
opinion and the tight To organize AM
hold meetings at will. The repeal OF al
laws framed for the purpose of limitiu!
or, as the phrase goes, regulating
, liberty. Next, equal right of partlcipa
ton in public affair for all, universal
direct suffrage and 1t corollary. univer
sal direct participation of the people il
. legislation and administration, Further
free compulsory education in publ
secular institutions and the introduction
, of universal compulsory military train
ing in place of standing army an
? militia. These two demands We CON
t bine because public instruction and tn
, peoples power of defense are mos
closely connected, For the conduct c
e war the primary need is money and eff
7 cient soldiers; both are secured by eft
| cient schools. The wealth of a countr