The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-06-27

SEATTLE, SATURDAY. JUNE g
CAPITAL AND PRODUCTION.

Tn. so,,,.son 81 the most important so
sfs, III. 10 which humanity Is sabjsc; Is a
~.Yv .r,pls matter from the standpoint OF
morals alone. II Is only necessary taas
each man should do his share OF the WORK.
ana be willing 10 accept his share OF the
returns. whatever they might De bas
sh.. IA fuss What the majority OF people 90
not wish 10 do They want 20 do less IMAM
sheir share of the work. and receive more
than their share Of the returns: and the
most powerful efforts OF body ana pfsin
are put forth 20 place themselves IN a po-
sstion where they can DO this THIS Is one
reason why so many plans are pat forth 10
make ali men weil-oY and happy by some
law or Industrial regulation. Men seek to
max. up for their lack OF character and
industry by various plans Of communal ae-
ton which are supposed TO create. as by
magic, everything from nothing
One Of the late developments OF this
propensity IL the notion that II men had
free access to land the need OF accunu-
lated capital would disappear. because the
two primary factors OF production are
land and iabor. from which all capital orig
lnaIly came and can be made 20 come
again. Mr. ceorgs bases bis well known
work on Progress and Poverty wholly
On this thesis. and be has secured quite
following of men who really thissk the po-
alton IL tsnable. Doubtless the CONVEX
sion Of many OF these people can be ac-
counted for by the well known tendency OF
men 70 believe. or try 90 believe, only what
they like to believe. II a man has been
smprudens or unthrifty II Is much more
20 endeavor by hook or crook TO fasten the
responsibility on some uncomfortable
cause outside Of himself-fhan to look into
his own heart and brain and End the rea-
3on there II is so much more easing 70
be conscience and the self-conceit 10 ss-
eiss is rich uhan TO admit tina; we arc poor
from any shortening or defect % our
own. II we were half as critical snd rner-
esle.s with our own faillngs a. we are with
the known or assumed failinrs Of others.
We would have less 10 complain % in our
kItF1NH81hkH anu tltfH 10 NAtc VI our
selves.
II IN true ths. small number % wander
fng savage. could make a precautions and
~vetchrd living on land without capital.
and II is also true that generations OF
them woni3 come and 80 before they could
develop any capital: bot Il Is not true that
she earth could support one-hals or one
quarter Of &c present population Ia 4 civil
trsi state without nre-exfsting capital 20
draw upon. Wipe out al existing capital
and leave men only the land. even IN SIS
present cultivated state. AMI before five
years bad passed your population would
Re one-hsf. n not three scurthS. out ~
existence. Vet men seriously tell us that
The question Of poverty can Re solved hv
merely giving All men free access 20 Land,
ignoring entirely the question ~ capital 70
work ~ with. The fact that sach notion
roaid have obtained serious consideration
only serves to show how many peanle
there are whose reason. 20 FAR a. they have
any. follows With hllad fataity the path
OF Their sentiments ana prrfaascea