Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-05-23
LEO XIII ON LABOR.
Full Synopsis of the Views of
the Encyclical.
SOCIALISM OPPOSED TO DIVINE LAW

No Irrepressibie Conflict Between the
Employers Toward Employees and of
the State Toward Both Defined from
the Vatican Point of View-Some Re-
marks on the Hours of Labor, of a
General kind-Trada Associations-A
Hopeful Outlook.
ROME, May 23.-The papal encyclical on
labor begins by declaring that a solution
OF the problem can only be obtained by
applying the eternal principles upon
which the teachings OF the church
are based, now as ever The law
is stated IL Deut v, 81. [~Thou shalt not
covet, ;" etc
The divine law, therefore, rejects the
Socialist solution, which would abolish
private property, substituting collec.
tive common ownership. In proceeding
to consider the relations of the state to
the individual, the encyclical SAYS: TIC
think that the authority of the state
ought arbitrarily TO invade the family in
timacy is a great and pernici Gus error.
The state can undoubtedly intervene
when the condition of the family is too
disastrous, but then only to alleviate it,
and to safeguard the rights and interests
of the public power without violating
the rights of individuals"
The Rich and ProIetariat.
After declaring that the church is not
Tor the rich alone, the encyclical cones on
10 say that it is an error to believe that
The rich and the proletariat are con-
demned by nature to fight duel with
out end. One has need of the other Cap.
ltal Is powerless without work, and WORK
without capital. The proletariat cannot
and ought no; to injure capital or the
masters who dispense it; but, in order to
obtain respect Tor the rights of labor.
they must abstain from violence. They
should not have recourse to sedition. nor
listen to the chimerical promises of the
ayitators.
Duties of the Masters.
On the other hand, the masters ought
to respect the individuality and dignity
OF man. They should act as Christians
toward their workmen, not treat them in.
humanity, or expect beyond their strength.
Let masters remember la divine and
human law forbids the drawing OF profits
from the misery Of the poor. Besides
that, religion means necessary co-opera-
alton OF human means to attain a sacred
purpose, The state ought to watch over
the weli-belng OF society. just as individ.
ais should watch over the purity, morals
and interior order OF families, safekeeD-
Ing reGlllon, justice, moderation, and an
equitable division OF public charges all /.
of which would contribute largely to the |
an elioration OF the conditions of the Dro. :
letariat.
The Province of the State
As citizens the prof. etariat have the
same rights as the rich, and cons eGuently
have right 10 the same interest As bgin1
part OF the state. The government
should carefully observe all obligations. /
distributing justice impartially. Abso-
lutte equality is, however, a chimera. The
social hlerarchies are based on natural
The state ought to see that
all covenants relating to work are con.
scientiously observed, and oppose any,
thing that might cause popular passion.
10 yield to unhealthy excitement, provok.
ing troubles and violence Small wages
often give rise TO strikes, disastrous not
only TO the workingmen and their EN-.
ploTers but TO the general interests of
com nerce and public industry. Govern
ment ought 10 prevent such crises.
Hours of Work and Wages.
EXpediency i shown in establishing
certain Limitations on working hours. and
prov ding that they shall BE- Interrupted
by a period OF repose. varying according
to conditions of time aud place, the pub
nc health and the nature OF the work. The
question OF wages is particularly deli
cate one to treat with exact justice The
salary agreed upon should be paid at / 4e
same time justice equally dempnds that
The agreement entered into by the work
lngmen ought to be respected The state
should see these reciprocal relations exc
cuted. An important element in question
S that the workmen ought to be a Die, with .
he wages or salary, to provide for him
self and family the necessities OF life
a LIMIT TO INTERFERENCE.