Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-05-15
PAPAL WISDOM.
Applied to the Solution of In
dustrial Problems
AsYNoPsIs OF LEVs ENoYoLIoAL.

The Doctrines of Socialism Controverted.
and Private Ownership of Property
Maintained-The Church the Great
Conservator of Right Between Man
and Mantle States Rights and Du-
ties Discussed-one Right That of Ar
bitration-The Hours of Work.
LONDON, May l5-Cardinal Manning
and Archbishop Walsh are engaged in
Jranslating the pope's encyclical on the
labor question, the Latin text of which is
now in their possession. The document
n its original form consists of fifty-seven
pages. Its object is clearly to refute the
doctrines of the Socialists, while at the
same time pointing out the duty of the
state to interfere to a certain degree to
regulate the relations between employers
and employed The Socialist position is
stated from the Roman Catholic stand.
point and reviewed in all its bearings.
The conclusion is reached that the solu-
ton implied in the abolition of private
property and the substitution of common
ownership is delusive and untenable.
The Church First Above All
The arguments used are merely a repe-
tition in short, but forcible, form of those
heretofore employed by Roman Catholic
theologians on the subject. The true
solution of the labor question, the pope
says, is to be found in the gospel, which,
rightly studied, would teach employers
and employed to become united, while
fulfilling their respective duties. The
church has always sought to promote the
application of the rinciples stated in the
gospel and to give moral and material
help as incuicated in the doctrines of
Christ. The admission is made, how
ever, that various principles and elements
OF strictly religious in essence must con-
tribute to the solution. But first and
bove all is the church, without which all
else is Intellectual.
Labor Moral Question.
In discussing the province OF the state
the treatment of the labor question the
| elcyclical Is very skilfully worded so as
10 give the church position of para
| mount Importance as the great teacher
OF morals, under which head the labor
| question is inferentially brought. While
conceding much to the state, broadly 1t
Is laid down that it is necessary for the
state to do its part toward benefiting the
y-orkingmen. he treatment of this
theme shows leaning toward the fam
Gus dictum Of Cardinal Manning, that the
ate stands ~ the position of guarantee
ing 10 the citizen either living or the op-
! pJrtunity TO make living
Has Little to say of Strikes.
There i also evidence that his holiness
Is In sympathy To a marked degree with
the position taken by Cardinal Gibbons in
regard to the rights of labor. Descending
| to particulars, the document maintains
| That the state not only has the right, but
| the duty Is imposed upon it, to interfere
| between parties whenever its intervention
| becomes necessary in order to carry out
| lis function of protecting the common
r ghts OF all and TO secure the general
welfare. The subject of strikes Is not
dealt with very directly, except to depre-
cate violence and urge mutual forbear-
| alce and consideration between workmen
| and employers.
| The Hours of Labor.
The question of the hours of labor is
| considered with reference to the nature of
| the work, the sge and sex of the worker,
and lastly, but not least, with relation to
tie effect of longer or shorter stint upon
! tie welfare of the workers. The docu-
II ent also deals at length Oh working
mems societies for mutual benefit and ill.,
| sUrauce, schools for technical education,
and mixed syndicates OF employer and
employed, recommending the state to en-
courage them. Tie encyclical concludes
! W Tn AN eXhortation to all interested in
the labor question TO observe the divine
Law, whicn binds employer aud workmen
ali 2e
THE STRIKE TRAGEDY AT DENVER.