Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-05-16
POPE LILO ON SOCIALISM
Synopsis of the Holy Fathers
Coming kncycileai.
SOCIAL PROBLEnS ABLY DISCUSSED
The fssttsa sf the thareh Defined
socialism Bitterly Auasksa-siats
istssfsrease wAEaaty Advocated
An Astats Arsamsnl

RoME. May l5.-T be following Is
resune Of the pope's eneyclical ON he
Iabor question-the most important
satiean in recent years. The treatise
IA it's Latin fern consists Of ifty-seven
luarto pages:
After short Introduction, IN which the i'm
DortAaca sad difnealty u The labor question -
'elsrsea 70. ana the snperatise demand Tor rs
speedy solution noted The socisiistie portion -
stated and carefully reviewed argument
atisely, the conclusion being reached
shas the solution implied in the aso
alton Of private property anc The
substitution Of common ownership therefor Is
aeiaslye and unteaaele. TIE reasoning Q: his
aoliness does not einer safiesently from tss'
smpioyed by the recognized authorities GA To-
anti sooiahstic side 70 merit special citation
he has eYiaenrgy studied the subject thorough
", and has consulted the leading writers OF al
countries
His holiness then presents the alternative
solution held out by the cl.arah It's doctrine
and teachings He admits that according 20
these teachings themselves various principles
ana elements no; strictly religious In essence
must contribute 10 the solution. First how
ever. and above all Is the church. without
which all else Is Intellectual Al this point lis
holiness recalls the Gospel teaching IN regard
10 the relations 10 be observed among work
men tow ard each other and by workmen and
employers toward ore another.
He points out the fact that ell that Is neccs-
sary for the maintenance OF harmonious rele-
tons between masters and men Is tie carrying
but OF the simple iniunetions of Scripture.
The observance OF the Christian spirit rs In
solution. The tulnllment Of the mutual obiiea
tions OF justice resulting In friendly and even
brotheriy union between employer and en-
ploysd, Is not only practicable but In worldly
sense beneficial TO both interests. II Is the
teaching OF Christ that all men must live TO-
gether In unity as the members OF one family
The church not only keeps this teaching In
nind but earnestly strives 10 bring II into
actual practice. and does its utmost 10
bring the working classes all the moral and
material helps which can be provided for their
advantage. The activity of the church in
charitable performance Is dwelt upon as one
Instance Of the practical carrying out OF the
Christian spirit OF mutual aid. Christ is de-
elared 10 be ever living in the church
The encyciical then discusses the province OF
the state IN the treatment OF the labor ques-
ton. Broadly il Is laid down that II Is neccs-
Sary for the state to do its part toward benefit
ing the workmen. The treatment OF this
theme shows leaning toward the famous
aictum OF Cardinal Manning that tho state
stands In the position OF guaranteeing to the
make . living There Is 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 is imposed with the duty to inter
fere between parties whenever its interven-
tion becomes necessary in order to carry out
its function of protecting the common rights
nfo nd tha mi rol,l Ia m el
cidsting this point the encyclical declares that
one of the chief objects for which the protect
i've action OF the state is needed Is the protec-
ton Of private property, the preservation o;
public Tranquility and the securing OF the ad-
vantage OF workmen, whether mental or physi-
cal
The encyclical passes on to the considera
ton OF the various questions bearing On the
necessity of Sabbath rest, recreation In the
shape OF festivals, the utility of strikes, the
proper adjustment Of wages, etc. The Ques-
ton Of the hours of labor is considered with
reference TO the nature Of the work, the age
and sex Of the worker, and lastly, but not
least with relation to the effect OF longer or
shorter stints upon the workers. The import
ance OF proper use OF leisure time IS dwelt
upon and tho greatest stress is laid upon the
benefits to be derived from the establishment
among the worktngmen OF Institutes. societies
for mutual aiG. funds for the succor Of those
who NEE, with misfortune or sickness, those
disabled by accident etc. Various kinds OF
patronage in the interest OF charity are sug
gested. and the protection and welfare Of chill
dren and youth Is enioined.
The field Of benefit offered by the possibility
of syndicafos companies. and above all Of cor
porations among the worl;ingmen is treated OF,
and such cooperative effort is spoken Of as
prceminently suited TO the altered conditions
OF tn times. The state. while leav-
ing due freedom 10 all, ought to
favor and encourage such developments. and
sustain the associations SO formed. good
deal Of space Is devoted TO these unions. upon
which his holiness seems to build great hopes
OF good results. Suggestors are made as to the
best methods OF forming them and the funda
mental principles which ought 70 govern
them are epuncia,ed. They should above sIl
be animated By the spirit Of Christ, the spirit
ready been done by such organizations, and his
holiness urges the enlargement and extension
of the principle as the most hopeful step to-
ward uplifting the laborer. The cncyc.cal
concludes with words OF earnest exhortation TO
oil interested In the labor question TO observe
the divine law as announced In the Scriptures
each determining 70 fulfill readily and without
delay the duty lying upon him as employer or
rs workman
TIE papal encyclical is variously
commented upon, but generally with
favor. as being decidedly liberal in
ideas and in accord with the recent
reported uttcrances of the pope In the
same direction