The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-07-01

NAV DO brought into beins by the APP
plication OF labor to what Is desired, Is
without any limit whatever. What we
have, therefore. we may easily lose WITH
out work. AMI what we may have IL
without any bounds whatever. That
Is the great foundation idea that philoso-
piers of the Debs order never yet have
got into their minds.
Mrs. John a. Logan. widow of the late
John A. Logan, who was char
actcr OF such prominence twenty years
ago, is an intellectual lady, and she has
frequently appeared before the American
people in parts that commanded respect
for her talents She has letter from
Washington city In last Sundays New
York World, from which We make the
following extract. she says:
know how much l hazard. being
woman, in making suggestions. but II
seems TO me that something more than
mere revision of the tariff IS necessary.
Thc people should revise their whole
scheme OF domestic and political econ
omy. The American people OF all classes
have acquired recklessness in their mode
Of living that IS destined TO work the
greatest harm 10 the nation. The very
rich live at a rate that is incompatible
with repU bllcanism. The "well-to-dO''
class are oyer-reaching themselves to
keep abreast with the very wealthy,
while the poor are wretched and unhappy
that they cannot have the luxury and in
dulge in the eXtravagances OF the well
TODD" Each generation IS more olsen
ohanted with its lot.
This is a very popular delusion. but 1t
is none the less delusion of the most un-
equiyOcal character. II is OF course very
foolish for persons with limited means to
initiate the habits and ways of persons
with large means. but II they choose TO
make fools OF themselves 1t is their right
to do so. and no one should interfere or
attempt TO say them nay. But there IS
no harm Except the bad example 10 silly
people, in the rich being extravagant.
They have the money 70 spend, and why
should they not spend It? Whenever
rich man or a rich woman squanders
his or her money in the indulgence Of
what Mrs. Logan would call foolish
within or humor, that person is consuming
what requires labor for its production,
and he or she IS thereby furnishing en-
ployment 10 the part OF the population
that must live by labor. Debs' notion OF
taking from those that have something,
what belongs 10 them, and distributing II,
gratis. to those who have nothing. IS
spoliation and robbery. and a scheme that
must debauch and demoralize the whole
population. But when those who have
money spend it as their humor suggests,
foolishly or not, according to the censo-
rious judgment of others. they use their
money benencently for the improvement
Of the condition Of the poor, because
they thereby enable the poor to earn
their own livelihood by their own work,
and they contribute therefore, 20 the
support Of the poor will nat causing them
to lose their self-respect.
SO that we take issue with Mrs. Logan.
whose philosophy shades or, in reality,
with Debs philosophy, and we say TO TIE
rich 90 on spending yoIr money in the
qualification of your whims, for you are
thereby furnishing emploj1 lent for the
unemployed, and enabling our people TO
live by their own energies. instead Of ~
charity.