Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1891-01-10
The S0cial0uesti0n-0ur Milli0naircs


1t is a universally recognized state
ment, that, at this end of the nineteenth
century, all political and religious ques
tions have become social questions.
That is TO say, they all tend to the con-
siderrton Of social conditions, and are
intermingled and controlled 10y them.
If you discuss the affairs Of government,
you straghtway fail into the separate
effect of its measures upon rich men and
upon poor men. If you enter into
religious matters, the distinction Of
classes ever rises up to c0nfOund and
perpIex the fraternity enjoyed by creeds
All the roads lead to one goaI-the social
status and progress Of mankind, All
arguments must deal with that great
gulf hat is tixed' between wealth and
poverty The increase of enormous
fortunes in the hands of the few, and
the. ever more and more complained Of
impecuniousness Of the masses, present
problems which are equally the despair
Of the statesman and Of the preacher
Socialism has forced herself to the front
as the one thing to be discussed and
dealt with, and she will not rest unheard
or disregarded.
A writer &C.. F. Dole in the New Eng
land Magazine" puts the difficulty in a
few concise words, Says he:
Society practically says to con.
siderable number of men: You shall
have, ont of the product of the veal h of
the world, whatever your heart desires
palaces, carriages, yachts, luxurious
fare, sumptuous apparel, jewels and
diamonds, the freedom to travel over
the world. Moreover, we make this
marvellous money power hereditary, and
have. cor seqrenlly, caste lifted above
the shoulders Of the world, and autho.
rized by custom and the sanction of the
law to crafty its desires at the cost, in
single instances, of the whole annual
labor of one hundred or more average
men, or the utmost possible savings of a
thousand men,"
Now, if these immense modern fortunes
had been the result of great and exCep-
tiOnal services rendered to humanity, of
eminent genius. philanthropic invention,
or distinguished enterprises on behalf of
their fellow men, then these favors be-
slowed SO profusely upon the few might
be comprehended and conceded with
satisfaction by the many. They would
be rewards Of generally recognized
merit But who does not know that
this is far from being the case ! Re
markable luck at stock gambling, crafty
and INSCRIPTIONS management, the TAX
ing of advantage by trilkery and deceit
the bribery of legislators, the corruption
of the ballot box, the unearned increase
of timely investments, are the chief
foundations of properties whose dimen-
sions furnish at once the complaints of
non possessOrs and the danger of the
republic. Is it a wonder that the cause
of the rich and the cause of the poor are
the chief causes now pleaded in the
legislature or the court?
If the millionaire were content with
the fair. and what might be considered
legitimate advantages of his situation,
thu. grievance might he lessened Were
he satisfied with the wealth of the world,
the ability to lead an idle and gided life,
and to satisfy all such material wants as
money can supply. then Dives, the rich
man. would not be the otfense he is
presented to be. But he pervade, the
domain of social existence. He aspires
to a seat in the United States senate, and
he purchases it. He wants to go To con
or, :. and he pours out his money and
lu>s it al the polls. He fanciea any
franchise. monopoly or contract. and he
simply pays a congress or legislature, or
common cnnncd, and get, It. lie
tempts the holder OF agent OF patronage