The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-06-05
PROPERTY RIGHTS.
Tho Question Ably Discussed from One
Standpoint.

Tho Question Ably Discussed FROM One
Standpoint.
This is question on which there is
q great difference Of opinion. and
probably will be one, not easily settled.
It is very evident when we consider
the circumstances OF mans birth, that |
some property rights are born with
him, as the fact of life implies right
to the means to sustain it, but just
how these means are to be obtained, is
the question that is perplexing the
inquirer of to-day in his search after
truth in this matter. We are driven
to the conclusion that there are but
three methods whereby property can
be acquired. The first of these is by
labor, and certainly that is an honest
and proper method. for he who ac-
quires property by the sweat of his
brow, gives an equivalent for it.
The second method is to inherit
property, or have it given to US. This
also is an honorable way to get prop
erty, and the persons who obtain prop
erty in either of these ways, should be
defended in the ownership and use of
it by every proper and reasonable
means, and should not be deprived of
property so acquired, without due pro-
cess of law or by their consent.
There is another method by which
property can be acquired, to-wit: rob-
i.
agree that property so acquired. can
not be held for the use of the party so
acquiring it; it does not seem to be
clearly understood, under what cir
cumstances restitution shall be made,
and when punishment shall be inflicted;
| for instance, when John Doe takes his
shotgun and secretes himself by the
roadside, and by the use of the shot
gun, he robs the unsuspecting traveller
of money and valuables, with intent to
convert the same to his own use, the
strong arm Of the law interposes and
arrests him. and if the property SO &C
ouired is found in his possession, the
law takes it from him, hands it to the
owner, and says: take your property,
and use it for your pleasure and bene-
fit" Then it turns to John Doe and
says to him: Sir you have committed
crime against the peace and dignity
of the state and although the property
has been restored. we are going to
punish you in order to impress on
your mind the fact, that you must not
acquire property in that way.
This is plain, and all will concede
that John Doe is properly punished.
But sometimes, this same crime is
committed by the use of other means
and an entirely different way, by
parties differently circumstanced. To
illustrate: We will suppose certain
parties organize a combine for. the
purpose of carrying on a certain bust
ness the first question that presents
itself is, How can they acquire the
most property in the least time? In
pursuance of this idea, they plan how
best they can control the matter in
hand. The first means usually tried
is to destroy competition. If this can
be done, the price of the commodity
can be changed at will, and when men
have this power, they invariably will
have to have higher price. Wher
this is accomplished by the destruction
of competition, and a rapid transfer o.
property is made from the consumer
to- the vendors, without an equivalent
passing, the parties from whom TIT
transfer is forced, stands in the same
condition as did John Doe. They have
been forced from circumstances owe
!. which they had no control, to hani
!. over their property. The result the1
y is the same In the first instance tn
- shotgun was the means used to compe
: the transfer, and in the last instance
= the INSCRIPTIONS use of money was tn
means used to attain the same result
. but, says the objector, ''was not thi
y money the private property of person
. using it, (admitted) and have they nc
u right to use it as they pleasee"
:. In answer, l would ask, if job
. Does shotgun was not his privat
: property, and if he did not have
:. right to use it as he pleased? Societ
~ says to John Doe: 'Sir, you must nc
. use your shotgun as means to com
:, pei people to give you their property
- as such course would undermine
- and sap the very foundations of socie
y ty. destroy property rights, degrad
morals, in fact. subvert all establishe
= principles of law and right, and leav
~ chaos to reign in their stead" Socie
y ty Furnishes John Doe for such act'
, and justly, too; but when the combine
= power of money is used to accomplis
- the same, result, society stands aghas
, seeming to not know how to manae
such a. ease-St Louis Jour. of Az.
>Straws Show 1t.
. Certain papers in this state are ofte