The morning call., 1891-05-23
CHURCH And STATE.
The Social Problem Viewed
From Rome.
The Text Of th8 EeCGntly Issued Papal
EHCyGliCaL.
Tie Relations Between the State and the
People Combinations and Strikes
DlSCOultenanCed.
Special 10 THE MoKNISe CALL

ROME, May 22.-The full text of the
Pope's encyclical on the social question has
appeared. The following extracts have been
taken from it: The Pope sets forth that the
divine law rejects the Socialist solution Of
the social problem, which would abolish
private property, substituting a collective
and common ownership. Now, as ever,
mems relations toward each other, as 'indi-
viduals or parts of society, must have the
sanction of old authority. Consider
ing the relations of the State to
the individual, the Pope says: "TO think
that the authority of the State ought arbi-
trarily to invade family intimacy is per-
nicious error. Undoubtedly it can inter
vene when the condition of the family is too
disastrous, but only to alleviate 1t and the
safeguard of the rights and interests Of
public power without violating the rights of
individuals. We affirm unhesitatngy that
human efforts are impotent without the
concurrence of the church." A long demon
stration follows. Teciting all that the church
has done to better the lot of the prOletarat.
The Pope says capital is pOWeTleSS with
ont work and vice versa. The pTOetaTiat
cannot and ought not to injure either capt.
tai or the master To obtain the respect Of
their rights they must abstain from viO-
lence. They ought not to have recourse to
sedtlOn nor listen to the chimeTlcai promises
Of agitatOTs. On the other hand the masters
OughttO respect the individuality and dignity
of men and the Christian in WOTkmen, and
not abuse them inhumanly in their work
nor exploit them beyond their force. The
State ought to watch over the purity, morals
aud interior order Of families, the safe keep
ing Of religion. Justice and moderation, and
the equal division OF public charges. The
larger the general prosperity the less viii
the workers seek recourse to exceptional
means 10 8meliOTate their condition.
THE RIGHTS OF TIE PEOPLE.
The proletarianS have the same rights as
citizens as the rich; consequently they
have the right to the same interest on the part
Of the State. Absolute equality, however.
is a chimeTa. The State ought to see that
all covenants relating to work are cOnscien-
t0uSly observed, and oppose anything that
might cause popular passions. Small wages
often give rise TO strikes, disastrous not
only 10 wOrkmen and masters but to
general commerce and general Industry.
Governments ought to prevent explosions
at these crises. The State ought not to let
wOrkmen become the prey Of spectators
and usureTS. Mans work should not 60 TO
such an extent that he Is forced 10 succumb
under the excess Of corporal fatigue. Con-
SequentlY, eXpediencY Is shown IN certain
limitation Of the working hours. The queS-
ton of wages is a delicate one The
State should see that the agreements
entered into by its woTkmen are respected.
An element OF tie question is that the WORK
man ought TO be able with his salary to
provide the necessities of life. The great
social advantage lies ia the laws which
favor multiplicity of properties, These
are the best means to prevent opposition be-
tween riches and extreme poverty, but
1t is also necessary that properties shall not
be oYertaxed. Institutions for aiding the
poor and facili tating cancellations between
the various social classes are especially use
full in obtaining desirable results. The
Pope particularly mentions tie associations
for mutual succOr, and institutions for in
surance in case Of accident sickness or
death, and the protection OF children and
girls. He attaches particular import
Rnce to the working peoples aSsOcia-
tiOns, eXpatiates on the advantages Of
liberty and the right Of combination as long
as these associations do not present any in
cOnvenieGces to public interests. In
happily It often occurs that these
associations are made the puppets of
wire-pulleTs. 1t is important to create
counter associations to withdraw the
wOTkmen from these unjust oppres-
siOns. The Pope greatly praises those en-
deavOring 10 better the condition Of the pro-
letariat; to establish bonds of mutual equity
between tie wOTkmen and their masters, to
maintain sentiment Of reciprocal duties
and combat intemperance among workmen.