The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-06-03


! crime. The question is by whom and
how shall capital be used. and not
| shall IL exist When IL ceases to exert
! its function labor languishes and dies
Intelligent labor takes this view. II
is too obvious for doubt. Is the laboreI
willing to deprive himself of the posi-
bility of being rich? Does he not hope
| and strive for increased means? When
\ he condemns IL is he not attacking
what he hopes to have?
I'VE cannot be blind to the fact that
labor is often unreasonable in it's de-
| mands. Human nature is not wholly
changed by either realty or poverty.
| The best paid workman is proverbially
| the one who complains the most. He
Is Ike the man of realty who still
wishes more. The loudest advocate Of
| justice toward the workingman is OF
ten his most dire oppressor when the
tables turn.
He is often unreasoning towards
employing capital There are times
when corporations are Obliged to cut
down wages or close their business.
Competition and monopoly compel the
smaller firms to use economy or fail.
The workman is too slow to see this
fact. And his exorbitant demands on
sinking capital deprive both IL and
and him of means Of livelihood. He
asks too much. He confuses honest
and dishonest capital. He sacrifices
-'t' pNh IA iAo NooNAhNse ~
higher wages.
THE Iaborer's grievances are of the
real. But in such cases he is fettered
by his errors. His methods are wrong.
He suspects his friends and trusts his
enemies. He tries to gain too much
and loses all. His desperate aims be-
tray him into crime. His actual in
juries lead him into desperate trouble.
and he becomes the victim of his own
mistakes.
THE side which have pictured is a
true one, and truth is the poor's man
friend. When he knows his faults he
may find remedy. When he is right
he can attack the wrong. When the
common people are right and united,
their power in America is wholly SUI
preme.
There is another side which COM
mands our notice in the conflict of our
rich and poor. Aggregation of wealth
in individual hands has become an
alarming evil. Dishonest money con-
trolls our law and fraud is legalized
Justice yields to bribery and the poor
are overcome in striving for their
rights.
Oppression is a prevalent wrong
and suffering pleads in vain for help.
Want compels the laboTer TO yield to
wealth's demands. He can take half a
loaf or none. He has convincing evil
dence of cruelty which takes life.s
may find palliation for his wild and
lawless efforts to assert his rights.
There are times and straits where such
endeavors should have charity.
Greed seems to have stolen the
hearts of many men, and mercy is
swamped in selfshness. Houses and
lands pour into the hands of the rich
and workmen are chattels to further
their ends.
IF anarchy is ever provoked by
causes which partially warrant the
crime, ii is under the tyranny of greed
which ignores humanitys claim.
Two causes lie at the door of pres
ent wrong. These are unrestricted inn
migration and native luxury. our land
is open to all, but is not an asylum for
the outcast of every shore. The hon
est immigrant who is willing to work
is heartily welcome. We open our
arms to receive him. We rejoice in re-
form, and when we can save the beg
ger, we ask him to come. We do not
refuse the criminal who desires to
lead a new life. But a danger point
must be carefully watched. When
crime and beggary become too strong
and national character is jeopardized,
we reluctantly close our gates for a
season. lest ruin attend our charity
Restriction is a present duty which
promotes the common good.
81 am not one of those who expects
CdlaSlrODny OF WFlSnllnB OF
wrongs. We are drawing nearer truth
and justice every day. Every nation
has had problems like ours to face.
and we have one great source of
strength which no other government
has had in all its fullness like ours.
This unique power is Christianity.
which is growing steadily in might
"Our nation carries a mammoth
chest which is filled with wealth. 1t
rests on the shoulders of rich and poor
Some of its carriers wish to cast IL
down. Two things are possible in such
an issue-the box may break apart,
and then there would be war and car
mage for the scattered booty. The
strong chest might not yield. and
wealth and law would hold the keys
and force a new submission to their
power.
Three hopeful facts should remain
in view. During the past generation
there has been an increase of over 10
per cent in the number of persons en-
gagged in gainful industry. The pur-
chasing power OF wages has been
greatly increased by machinery The
social advantages of the masses have
been augmented and their opportuni-
ties for education much extended.
THE fact still remains that many
wealthy men are not bearing their
share of the common burden: they
hold drafts upon the national chest
while they refuse to bear their part of
the load. The income tax has failed.
and the underlying problem still con-
fronts us. But lawful and peaceful
methods have been proved to be the
surest in the end The Christian meth
cd is the only one which finally solves
our puzzles.
Bear We one another's burdens
and do not be too particular to carry
no more than your own portion. In
equalities will be righted in the end"
Schedule of Wages Established.