New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-04
JUSTICE TO PROPERTY.

There is some danger that in its anxiety to
do justice to the poor and the less fortunate So
ciety may quite forget that it has duties to
property and the owners of property. The char
aotcrStiC tendency Of these later years is toward
form OF sociaIiSm-tOward concentration of
public powers and resources upon the uplifting
of those whose lives are hardest and whose lot
is most uncnviablc. In defence against wild
and dangerous monetary schemes conservative
men have been in the habit of saying that prop
crty can always take care Of itself. In sense
this is true, but there is quito as much danger
of injury to all through injustice to those who
have something 10 lend or to invest as in any
other way. The millions also can take care Of
themselves in this self governing country. The
question + whether they will always remember
their duties to others.
The tendency of the time is to sympathizc
constantly with the wage-cayncrS and against
the employers in every controversy. When
riot occurred on Thursday at Braddock a kind
hearted and worthy person said: What
shame that the milliOnaircS who own those iron
works should refuse what is fair to the poor
IIungarians.' Not a thought was given to the
fact that the Struggle was about demand for
higher wages which the more intelligent
ganized workers had refused 10 make and which
the present depressed state Of the manufacture
rendered employers unable to grant. With
prices of steel rails just onc-fifh lower than a
year ago. higher wages meant working at
loss or not working ar all.
50 the Kansas Alliance. according 10 dis
patches on Friday is engaged in preparing bills
10 he passed by the Legislature which that body
controls, and among them are measures to de-
privc lender of his stipulated security. An
extension of tho stay law for two wears is pro
posed, and law giving three years in which
to redeem land sold under mortgage and fore
closure, and law requiring mortgage holder
70 pay his proportion of all taxes on property
mort gagged. and compulsory reduction Of the
rate Of interest. These are all provisions 70
take from the lender part Of the rights which
he acquired in lending and so far are mere acts
to coniiScato the property of those who have
trusted Kansas borrowers. II is true that the
lender has his defence against such legislation
in the courts. The question is whether any
State can afford to treat lenders contrary TO
common honesty. Is il not plain enough that
a general and rigid enforcement OF existing
laws against Kansas borrowers is likely 20 fol-
low and refusal to lend in that state except
on terms which would rot be cNaotod else
where? In short, could the people Of a much
indebted State conceive of worse policy for
their own interests?
There would bo no possibility Of such enact
mrnt> il there were not widely prevalent q feel
ing that Government orGht always 70 care for
the moncylc,s and IND debtor. and never for
the creditor or capitalist. who j. presumably
rolling in wealth" But when the ease is
smpfed 10 transaction between the actual
owner ard 4 borrower il may look vc,y differ
emily. 4 hard-working man has saved for the
protection Of his wife and children something
from his earnings or a widow having no other
means of Sustcnarcc has her savings to invest.
ard the money OF either j. loaned through a
company on farm mortgage. The borrower
was sue he could pay AT the time stipulated.
and careful agents of tn" company believed that
he could and So all the savings of the widow
or Of the mechanic wero invested in the loan 10
farmer j. there any justice in pundoring
either for the benefit of the farmer because he
has not been able to raise money As he cX-
pcc;cd?
w those. ~ in 50 many other cases. the only
difficulty is TO get mon 70 remember and obey
the Golden Rule If the borrower would put
himself in the place Of the lender he would
realize that change Of the laws governing
contract would hc a gross wrong. which nobody
could honestly propose. When men want To
borrow. they need for their own interest laws
which give the best possible protection and Sc
curity 10 those who may lend. No other laws
will benefit them in the long run. and what
they would rightly demand if lending money
i, also their true interest aS borrowers, and
wha; others have 4 right to expect from them
when they have borrowed.