St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-08-17

One might suppose that there are peO-
pie enough in the world, OF that the in
crease is sufficient to meet reasonable
demands. In some of the Oriental
lands the troublesome problems have
been to restrain the reproductive tend
encieS and discourage young people
from coming into the world, or remain
ing in it. If China, India, Japan,
Egypt and other ancient lands were, as
the later scientists hold, more deHSely
populated forty or fifty thousand years
ago than at present, there would seem
to be little room for apprehension that
nature will not have vigilant eye and
prevent dangerous OvercrOwding. But
it is found in some Of the more advanced
nations that the birth rate is declining
to an extent that suggests disaster in the
future; for, as the peoples are now ar
rayed, no one wants TO be left in the
struggles for position and strength.
Schemes and methods are proposed to
relieve this tendency to decadence.
France is the most notable instance in
this class. The birth rate has become
so reduced that, but for the improved
sanitary conditions pTOlonging life and
the absence of destructive wars, there
would be an absolute decrease of pop
ulatiOn. There are various causes as
signed for this One is the expense at
tendant upon entering the marriage
condition. The bachelor is readily as
sailed as lacking in patriotism and pub
lie spirit. 1t is proposed to single him
NJ fpr cnaoiol fax0finF5 I'M IF
propositions is to add to his taxation
each year that he remains bachelor.
But it is found that the families are be-
coming smaller, and those of but one
or two children are increasing in
number. 1t is proposed to meet this
situation by reducing taxation as the
contributions to posterity multiply.
When the magical seven is reached the
father is to be exempt from all taxes.
If there are six children six-seyenths
are to be deducted from the taxes, and
two-sevenths for five. It Is probable
that considerable effects will be shown
in the census if this encouragement
shall be had, for the French are a pru-
dent people, and they aim not to have
more children than they can readily
provide for. In some parts of the
United States the birth rate has become
alarmingly low. This is quite generally
the case with the old native stock of
New England. The case has been
cited of a town in Connecticut,
where there has been no birth for nine
years. Wyoming, in the West, has
deemed it best to discourage men to re-
main unmarried by special tax. But
nothing will result from a discrimina-
ton against bachelors. As rule, 1t is
believed they are a class entitled to
sympathy, rather than persecution. The
fact is that human production very
largely follows commercial laws. If the
masses Of the people are prosperous,
and living not burdened by oppressive
taxation, families increase in size. The
parent who has a constant struggle to
support his family knows that every
addition to it means an increased cos
TO him of from $500 to 81 900 before The
child is able to contribute materially t.
the common excheQuer. Each in
FAINT born means that he mus
work harder and buy more food
clothing and other essentials of exist
ence; and, when these are made high
in price in order that the obese anC
grasping beneficiaries of protection maN
add still more TO their abundant profits
the birth rate among the toilers fall
away. In discussing this subject thu
Philadelphia Record finds this solution
Taxes upon food and meat in France