Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-02-16
SOCIAL paosLess."


subject Of Interesting address d prssidea
Gallsther Of maiae wesleyan Seminary.
A feature Of the Methodist Minister'S
Association at oakland this week which At
tracted especial attention was the very in
teresting address Of Rev. C. W. Gallagher
D. D., president Of the Maine Wesleyaz
Seminary. His subject was "Social Prob
lens" and the following il an abstract Of
the address:
1t is not intended by the subject an
bounced to discuss all social problems, but
10 conf Ter one Of them under different A.
poets and in relation t. others more or less
intimately connected with it.
The problem proposed is that of the dis
tribu,ion Of wealth. Tbe term includes the
distribution of the products of industry to
those who have taken part in production.
wis ther capital or labor, according to the
part each one has taken in increasing
wealth. This il the battle ground of cspi-
tai and labor. Within the limits of this
subject lie the causes of social and indus
trial unrest.
The problem il broad. 1t has to do with
excessive accumulation of wealth in the
hands Of individuals, and on the other hand
it must inquire into the existence of power
ty, it's causes, characteristics. fruits and
remedy, and it, relation to the social con-
dition Of the present. It must seek to Sc
cure such an adjustment of the economic
forces of the commercial and indus rial
world, that justice shall be done the weak
and helpless, and the hest moral and social
interests be secured thereby.
Money bags are among the most potent
forces at work in forming our social life.
IL the control of legislation, in the combi-
nations of various kinds to secure advan-
tsees at the expense of the general good,
known az monopolies, corners, and vari-
ETY. of other terms, in the oppression, sell
fshness and heartlessness so often charac-
teristic of the great aggregations OF capital
they frequently stand in the way Of eform,
and obstruct the progress of social i'm
provement. Some of the greatest evils of
the age are abetted and maintained by the
vast power of individual and combined
wealth.
Poverty no less disturbs the social forces.
That condition of want which restricts daily
ouU5letcACC w SuC ROAnV Va O0AO VAAosCAS~
and compels q discouraging struggle with
the adverse circumstances of life, fosters
crime, destroys self-respect, binders per-
sonal development, promotes disease and
death, adds to the burdens of society, and
creates class which must always be a
menace to the best social conditions. Most
men require favorable conditions, either to
be good or useful. Environment in nature
determines the quality of all life.
1t is true that poverty is due in large de-
gree to immortality, laziness, IMPROVE
dence, ignorance, and depraved dis
positions and habits. This is only say
ing that the legitimate fruits of pow
erty are the germs of greater poverty.
This action and reaction always in the same
dire elton is one of the unhappy facts with
which we are to cope. The poor are grow
ing poorer all the time. The only cure is
moral one, and the disease will continue as
long as the human heart remains desperate
ly wicked. Improved sanitary and other
conditions may help to correct the evil, but
direct moral and religious influences alone
will bri, & about reform.
There are minor causes of poverty to
which much misery is to be attributed.
They are the accidents and sicknesses.
mental or physical disabilities which befall
mankind. To some extent this must be
mitigated b. those who have enough. 1t is
an evidence of the improving civilization OF
the pre- ,ent that the number of benevolent
institutions is constantly increasing.
Poverty also arises from inability to OBJ
lin from hard labor, enough to support
f.mily decently. The laborer may be hard
working, honest, sober and prudent, but
low wages make it impossible for him to
m IRE than provide living for his family.
Meanwhile there is plenty in the land
and few out of the mul'itudes, have more
than they know how to use. Jealousy
springs up-strikes, boycotts, and various
other devices for forcing wages up are
adopted to the injury both of the employer
and employe, 40 we'll as of the general
public.
wish to call attention to a few facts
bearing on the condition of the working
people. Notice, in the first place the null
duplication of Inventions and their effect.
Machinery is made to do the work OF
men. 1t m ,kes plenty ane renders availa-
BILE many comforts, but throws many
laborers out of employment.
The entrance OF women INTO many Heios
Of employment chespens labor BY increas-
ipR the number Of laborers.
The cultivation of the soil was once
way out Of the oppressiveness of close COM
petition, but this remains now only to
limited degree.
The prospect of improvement does not
seem to be very altering. Radical social
ism and anarchy can do nothing. Their
methods are ex,ravagant and subversive Of
all manhood and order. They can only
aeprayate the difficulties. 1t is perhaps
dangerous ground to say what government
might DO in the control of matters which
have been hitherto under the direction OF
private parties aud enterprise. All monop..
olies are in the interest of selfishness and
the effect 10 to keep up prices and draw
wealth into the hands Of the few.
The destruction Of the liquor traffic 10
reform which every man ought to favor.
Drive the breweries, distilleries and saloons
out of the country and vast per cent.
of the poverty will 60 at once.
Among the business arrangements which
commend themselves IS methods of relief
NAV be mentioned cooperation, profit shar-
inr has also been tried with some success.
But improvement in the general spirit
of the men who control wealth is necessary
Gov tho hotfoY