St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-01-20
A LEXow AND PARKHURsT.
Correspondent Who Thinks
Them Needed in st. Paul.

"A LEAOW AND 'PAKkH u RST.
"A Correspondent Who Thinks
Them Needed in st. Paul.
10 the Labor Editor of the Globe.
Before the legislature now convened
in this capital city will come, during
theh four weeks, many subjects Of
interest-lndeed. of vital Importance
of-the interests of labor organized into
trades unions and benedt societies. one
speaks OF all labor: for. organized or
unoEganized, its interests and needs are
common, though only through the Or
CARNATIONS can expression be given its
aspirations and needs.
At every session the legislative halls
and Hobbies are filled with special plead
ers for numberless private interests
which have no just claim upon public
onsideration-manyO of them inimical
to the general welfare. This session
will be no exception to the rule. But
the advocates of class privileges and
private benefits will not be left III
full possession; among them. though
the organized labor of shop and field
of the great body of the common peo-
ple-will lay their claims before our
lawmakers, and demand for once some
practical consideration of those ques>
lions which have to do with the welfare
of all. This is a Republican legisla-
ture. They have full possession-full
hn hat
Before election the workingmen were
patronizingly told how much the party
of political salvation (and financial per-
ditionJ had done for them, and how
much it would do if it were only given
the chance. They now have the chance.
We present the pledge for redemption.
Walt and see how good our friends can
be to US!
OF the several measures on which
action will be sought, | need not speak
particularly But the law relating to
the making of the infamous 'Ironclad
contracts" by which the rights of citi-
zenship are all but wrested from its &C
ceptorS, on city and state railway lines
and in some factories, must have atten-
ton and be made enforceable. Then
there is the practice OF selling into slav-
cry those unfOrtunateS who have be
come inmates OF penal institutions,
child labor, factory inspection, compul-
sorry education. These all should be
placed on better basis than at present.
But aside from these settled lines Of
action, there is another question which
has not received the attention it should
have. Legislation, it is true, has been
had; but little has been done to en-
force it. 1t is difficult question. but
is worthy the careful consideration of
the peoples representatives. Call at
tention to the shameless manner in
which the various mortgage loan" and
sinvestment" companies, etc, as we'll
as paWnbrokers, are robbing the poor
who are, by pressing want, obliged to
have recourse to their merciless spirit
OF accommodation. 1t is we'll
known fact, which can be easily veri-
fed by turning to the statistical tables
ION that subject in the reports submitted
80 this legislature, that these institu-
@tlons take from the unfortunate poor.
undergone form or another, from 40 10
S240 per cent, in advance, too, for money
floaned them. What business man to-
day, with competition sharp and mar
gins close as they are, can use money
1proftably at 10 per cent i'll his business?
How, then, is it possible that aught else
than misery should follow the attempt
ITO pay these eXorbitant rates; partlcu-
= Iarlyiwhen. as is often the case, there is
no prospective revenue with which to
spay the sum borrowed. thus perpetu-
fatings the nsurious burden, or entailing
the loss of, perhaps, the very clothing
and furniture of the victim?
- If the state is prepared to acknoWl-
n6rn TO l,cS IN
actions of this class OF plunderers, then,
BIT Gems to me, it should abolish the
business, and itself provide from public
funds temporary financial Succor for the
needy, as in some European countries
is now done. But | believe that the
state can control this business. And 1t
is matter Of so great Importance that
all good citizens should take an interest
in bringing about thorough reform in
this regard. And, while we are about
if, | would say that here is a work in
which the ciergymen Of all denomina-
tons. as a specially influential class,
should at once take an active part. They
have ministerial alliances, presumably
to fight the devil-in his aerial flights
why not in this way check the demon OF
misery and greed i'll his attacks upon
the vanishing vestige OF homes? Is ii,
ing contributors IN their various
churches are engaged in the netari-
Gus business? And because, if they con-
denim the WRONG doing in public voice,
they may lose their own employment?
1t does look as though many of them
feared this. We hear from the pulpit
about helping the poor. Why DON'T
they get out and organize some effort to
prevent the poor from being robbed of
the little they can earn under present
adverse conditions? If they would have
their moral codes acceptable and &C
cepted by the poor they must see to it
that such codes bring about an ethical
status of society which shields the poor
from their oppressors.. To advance
practical morality, conceive, is their
special function i'll society.
MI. Editor, we need a Parkhurst and
a Lexow committee right here in st.
Paul; aud if there is man of true
moral courage among the clergy of our
city here is a chance for him to accom-
plish something for the GLORY of God
and his fellow man.
Jan. Is, '95. CHARLES j. SCHoTT.