The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-27

\ western phil )sopher prophesies that
the time is rapidly approaching when men
VIII be relieyed from all arduoIs labor by
new applications of the inanimate forces
of nature, and more especially elec-
trclty. which viii be put at our service
through discovery and invention. Twenty
years from now, he SAYS, there viii be no
more haro manual labor in civilization.
The present tendency, una lesti)labiy,
looks that way, even If the end he fore
secs IS not reached ia so short a time as
he fancics. steam and clectri lily have al
ready taken of the shoulders Of men
nj ny of the heaviest burdens once borne
by them. They have replaced puman
strength in lifting building materials, in
loading ships, in agricultural operations,
ana IN many other fields whore formerly
II was put TO its sever est strain. They
have also largely superseded The power Of
horses, and thus those animals. so long
associated with man in the heaviest work
OF the world. are sharing with him the re-
lief afforded by the use Of these inani-
mate agencies. And vet the millennium
has not made its appearance.
Another advantage enjoyed by this gen
Grafton Will be increased and extended in
equal measure during the text few years.
The Tribune refers 10 a "ep)rt that prepa-
ratiOnS are making TO put on the market
next year large supply Of bicycles at
greatly 'educcd prices. II IS presumable
that before many years their cost will de-
cline like that Of the sewing-machine and
that OF clocks and watches, until it is
brought within the means of almost
everybody. The rich man with the fleetcst
horses and the grandest eqrpage will
have no advantage over the poor man in
possessing the means of traV, ling rapid
~ over the roads. Both of them VIII have
their own private vehicles. and each can
and competition. besides reducing the
cost OF the bicycle. will provide FOR its
propulsion by other motors than muscu-
lar strength, so that the rider will enjoy
luxurious ease at trifing expense OF
money The burdens men carried on their
shoulders or in their hands they can
transport with the aid of machinery. and
they can extend greatly the area within
which II IS possible for them TO pursue
their activities The nursery rhyme talks
OF the time when beggars will ride, and
vertably that day is approaching
The application OF electricity TO public
transportation will largely reduce its cost
TO those who provide II and those who
use IL. The running expense of all ma
chinery will be decreased greatly. so that
IL viii be made available for multitudes
of private uses for which the muscles of
man and brute are now employed. The
main part of the drudgery of civilization
will be done by the forces of nature. har-
messed for hum1n assistance. and the eX-
emption from exhaustlng physical labor
once enjoyed by the few only will be
shared by all. As 4 is, under the present
prOgrt Ss Of science and mechanics the
poor man has ease and Injuries formerly
denltd 10 even the rchcSt ana the grand
est. The markets of the humblest and
most crowded districts now supply i'm
abundance fruits anc meats which not
many years ago were rarely obtairable
even by the most prosperous; and as tie
cost Of production and tran sportation de-
crcasCs. these VIII be stil further multi
plisd and brought within the means Of
the people universally.
Perhaps. the dream Of the Socialist OF a
time when all the material blessings OF
~ extended fhpV
be shared by all their fulness may yet
be realized: but the fulhlment VIII be
brought about by the very means So
cif lism would destroy: by capital. compe-
tition. and the impulse which seeks for in
dividual superiority. IL will not como
from the average ability OF the mass. but
from the superior ability OF the few.
wbeDcA has coma tina general advance