The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-10-30

not earned GQSS6 NhSb O6CaVC0 ~ 'hOAA
own industry, but on the contrary it is
by force of statutory enactments that
these vast estates have been accumu-
lated and perpetuated in few hands.
VAST WEALTH OF A FEW FAMILIES.
In this country we have abolished
the laws of primogeniture, by which
the eldest son inherited the landed
estate of his ancestor, but here vast
estates are being rapidly accumulated
in few hands, and this is especially
true during and since the war OF the
rebellion. In 1860 there were few mil
lionaires and few large fortunes In this
country, but since then a rich class has
sprung us, so that in 1890, according
to reliable statistics, 1 per cent. OF the
people owns as much wealth as the
other 90 per cent. In 1890 there wer
10, $50, 1872 families in the United States,
and according to George K. Holmes, in
the Political Science Quarterly, 4,O47
of these possessed seven tenths of the
wealth. Just think of it. One family
possessing the wealth of 1000 families
in the country! In the city of New
York alone there is said to be five men
whose aggregated wealth exceeds $780,
900, 900. How many hundred millions
are held by various wealthy corpora
tions, coal and oil syndicates and other
trusts / am unable to state. In each
of the cities of New York and Chicago
more than 100, 600 men and women will
ing to work were out of employment
last winter, many of whom must have
persisted for want but for charity's aid
These conditions another winter prom
Uses to be no better.
The richest corporations and persons
on earth are probably in the Uni ed
States. How have they accumulated
their vast fortunes9 Surely not by
their own industry and thrift, but by
the aid of statutes regulating the rights
of property, generally statutes provid-
ing for the transmission of property
by descent or by will, or the creation
of monopolies.
It is only by virtue of statutory law
that man is permitted to make DISPOSE
ton of his property by will, and it is
only by VIRTUE of statutory law that
one person is permitted to inherit prop.
erty from another, and it is by virtue
Of statute law that great corporate mo
nopolies have been built up.
MONEY GOVERNS LEGISLATION.
The money power has governed leg
islation in all civilized countries for
generations. 1t matters not what party
is in power in the National or State
Governments of our own country, the
money power has exercised a controll-
ing influence in many instances in the
shaping and administration of our laws.
If the accumulation of vast fortunes
goes on another generation with the
same accelerated rapidity as during the
present the wealth of this country will
soon be consolidated in the hands of a
few corporations and individuals to as
great an extent as the landed interests
of Great Britain now are.
What is the remedy for this state of
things, which, i~tpermitted to continue,
will make the masses of the people de
pendent upon the generosity of the few
for the means to live. So far as con
Germs corporations of a public or quasi
public character and none others should
exist, the remedy is simple. They are
completely under the control of the
legislature, whence they derive all
their powers.
REFORM MUST COME THROUGH THE BAL
LOT.
If my voice could reach the people
of the whole land l would say to the
millionaire, in the language of scrip,
ture: "a good name is rather to be
chosen than great riches" Riches
kept for the owners thereof are a sure
hurt and a sore evil" Love of money
is the root of all evil" and in the Ian
guage of the Saviour of mankind to a
young man of great possessions, 1T is
easier for a camel to gothrough the eye
of a needle than for a rich man to enter
the kingdom of God" I would call
upon the m%iIlionaires for heavens sake
to pause in their greed for more mil
lions and unite in the passing of laws
which, by securing equal opportunities
to all, shall contribute to the happiness
of all.
Lest the millionaire should not listen
l would say to the men of the middle
of moderate means, farmers and
others who, though they may not now,
soon will feel the oppression of the