The herald., 1893-10-15

the error In the 1nouBtrlal contract, ana
are. by the laws OF justice, compelled to
correct that error.
"But has the state the right to assist
the individual?"
1t does 60 now by schools, libraries,
parks, courts and police. all OF which
were once in private hands. II the
state has right to do anything at all.
that right must he to do what ia most
necessary. The state now makes it easy
for an individual to get drink of water.
Is water more essential to life than
bread? The etate furnishes books and
papers to the individual. Are they
more necessary than clothing and
shelter2 Now, we have shown that the
private employer has discarded human
labor for the machine, never again to
be resumed as long as profit is the object
OF production, and il the individual will
not employ the Idle the state must or
they will remain permanently idle. In-
deed, the idle are of the state and have
right to employ themselves The
life OF the individual is protected by
the state from any enemy invading from
without. Is there not as much reason
for a protection from more subtle and
dangerous enemy within? The two
propositions are logically the eame
Aud since the state has that right it has
the obligation, and should assist the
unemployed in creating for themselves
that which they need the most.
What is that-parks, roads and street
cleaning? No; they are suffering for
bread, meat and clothing. But some
may say it would bankrupt the govern
ment to support all the unemployed
Incorrect. They are able and willing to
create by their own labor, thus support
ing themselves at no expense to the state
beyond working capital, which conld
soon be reimbursed. A policy OF public
aims giving would be open to that objec-
ton, as it would not only add to the al
ready enormous burden OF taxation, but
would in no wise stop the breeding Of
the unemployed. We are now seeking
for solution and not a palliation.
1t may be urged that such employ
ment would compete with private pro-
ducers and cause fresh trouble. This il
also incorrect. The unemploy ed cannot
purchase and must not be considered as
an available market. II they were al
lowed to produce what they consumed
they would not affect private enterprise
either favorably or unfavorably, and in
putting the unem ployed to work in this
way society would correct the basic er-
ror OF the wage system in giving to the
producer the full product OF his labor,
minus operating expenses. The law oi
eternal Justice demands this aud society
must grant it if che would retain her in
tegrity. This new field of emp oyment
would present an attraction In
comparable to the present wage
system, end aH rapidly az
room could be made ior
new workers, the ranks OF wage labor
would be depleted, and public employ-
ment would grow proportionately.
Producing for themselves, they would
then, for the first time, be able to buy
back their own products and over-pro-
dnction would be an impossibility. BY
the use of machinery their labor would
be made more productive, and they
| could then reduce hours without lessen.
ing their income or without creating
another class of surplus lsborers. II
! the state were to do this the individual
worker would have choice. If he did
not like the terms offered him by pri-
vate employer he could enter public
production. If private employment
suited him best he would remain there.
Gardening, coal mining, lumber, recla'
nation and cultivation of arid lands,
the manufacture of the common needs
OF home Lille. the building and operat'
ing of railroads and telegraphs would be
first in order. Payments TO be made in
legal tender currency issued agsinsi
labor performed. Other lines OF indus
I try would be introduced as fact as 8
due regard to a thorough system would
permit, and the problem OF the unem-
ployed would be solved.
w. @. 3. RANDOLPH,
426 Crescent ave.