The herald., 1897-03-26
TRY TO PROBE POVERTY
SOCIALISTS AND OTHERS EX-
PRESS THEIR VIEWS
Their Object Was to Refute Argu-
ments Previously Made for the
Causes of Poverty

The meeting called under the auspices
of the Socialist Labor party at Music
hall last night TO discuss the question,
why Poverty?" was attended by
large audience that completely filled the
hall
The chairman, F. Biddle, explained
that at a meeting held about two weeks
ago when the same question had been
discussed, an unsatisfactory answer had
been given by the speakers present, and
this meeting was called to refute the
arguments produced at the former gath
ering.
The Rev George Cannon was then in
troduced and said in part:
I'VE are nearing the end of a grand
cycle, and yet it is century of poverty.
| Why poverty? That is question that
probably no two persons will answer
alike. This question was answered a
few days ago in this hall, but the gath
ering tonight testifies that the answer
was an unsatisfactory one. You are told
that poverty resulted from sin and that
sin was result of the disobedience of
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
thousands and thousands of years ago.
We do not believe bis. We believe that
poverty is a result of the unequal distri
button of this worlds products. This
condition has resulted from the seizure
by the few of natures own resources.
There is but one way that poverty can
be abolished. This is by an economical
manner of production and an equita BILE
manner of distribution. This method is
not followed when you pay a man less
for his work than the labor is worth
and nothing will destroy a country
sooner than such a condition"
c. Nicholson was the next speaker He
said: Thousands of men, women and
children are hungering today on account
or poverty. Rivers of tears are flowing
on account of the condition in which
people find themselves as result of
poverty, and thousands of Children go to
the grave annually because of poverty.
The whole trouble lies in the fact that
the resources which God has given US
have been claimed by the few and with
held from the many. Japan is 10000
square miles smaller than the state of
California, and yet it supports a popu-
lation of 10000, 900 people. Why? Be
cause the inhabitants of Japan are al
lowed to cultivate the soil. Half the
farmers in this country have been re-
duced to condition of tenantry and
are now hardly able to pay their rents.
j is even made a crime to approach a
man and honestly ask him for a mouth
full to eat. Not long ago l met an old
friend. After exchanging compliments
| asked him what he was doing. oh, I'm
making money. now,' he replied. Tn
hunting criminals Hunting crimi-
Eals?' l asked, little surprised. Yes,
l m constable now, and am running III
tramps for a living. l get 50. 40 apiece
for them and sometimes l catch as high
as three or four a day.
II turned away in disgust. Yet this
very thing is going on today. Men are
being arrested and sent to Jail in order
that the officers may increase their
fees"
j. E. Higgan spoke briefly and declared
that the world should work together a :
one human family for the attainment of
the highest good for the whole people. 1t
is now possible with our improved meth
DDS of transportation to abolish all forms
of distressing poverty If the natural
wealth of the country, which has been
created by labor, were properly distrib-
uted there is no reason why any one
should ever suffer from hunger or the
need of some thing to wear. If this con-
dition could be brought ,Nou we should
attain to plane of morality not dream
ed of by the teachers of Christianity.
Job Hartman spoke at considera BILE
length. He touched upon much the
same lines as those who had preceded
him. Il had the pleasure" he said, "al-
though some of the daily papers thought
it the misfortune. to address number
of the unemployed in this city a few
weeks ago AT that time it was asserted
that there were not over 400 worthy un-
employed men in Los Angeles A few
days after the books of registration
were opened over 1000 had put their
names down to testify to the falsity or
this statement"
The meeting was closed by a few re-
marks from the chairman, Mr.. Blddle
Ex-City Attorney Charles H. McFar-
land has moved into the house which he
has recently purchased at 1145 West
Twenty eighth street.
70 Cure Cold In Oae Day