The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-14

EVER since history gives any ac-
count Of man has the struggle for
universal liberty and justice been
carried forward with so much earnestness
And determination as At the present time.
Dlsconsent and unrest have wide sway. To
Toe most superficial observer II L. evident
Mat there u something wrong In our social
ana economic life, and ignore IL as we
may. the question Is daily expanding In
proportions and will not down until 1t
has arrested the public attention and has
beea settled In accordance with the prin-
Gries OF justice.
At the bottom Of this widespread unrest
= Tue grievance OF the laboring classes.
Ias marvellous inventions and discoveries
shich were hailed with joyous acclaim
because designed 10 lift the burden from
TIE bowed form OF toll have rot only
brought no relief TO workingmen. but the
machine. under the control of the private
aniatsf, has driven thousands from EN-
psoimsat and forced the wages of other
thousands TO the starvation point.
IN the days OF the handicraftman. the
NoskfngEne,.. as rule. were far bet
tef OF than they are today. The young
nan mastered a trade and was then sure
g steady employment at fair wages. He
*ofAed reasonable number OF hours
haa some leisure for reading and recrea.
.an. and was able TO lay by something
10y rainy day. in that day there were
ho Great employers of labor as we now
uaatsstsnd that term. The modern
captain Of Industry" was unknown. The
h'sioaaife manufacturer had not yet
maoe MS appearance. nor had his coroi-
sss, me tramp. They came together.
ssset the machine appeared uron the
scsae. and the minute subdivision of la
es4 which followed. Then IL was no
nhSfr necessary TO be n skilled mechanic,
~ he machine did the work; production
80 lhsssiEiteiy increased and cheapened.
.au sns process OF making miilionsires ap-
~ tns enc hand and mendicanss upon the
ss.ssf was begun In earnest. and We have
seaaf ne results before us and can con-
@N'psA'e the picture at our leisure.
RE system which has thus been evolved
Known as the capitalist system. That
70 say. comparatively few indivtd-
sass e~n the capital, Including land.
-. mines. railroads and machinery
y Wuducfsen. and by virtue of such prs-
Use ownership control the destinIes and
- very lives or the toiiinS millions OF
~ population. Without this capital.
msa u helpless. The working man Is
s.1'sa access 10 the landand machinery
- 9sedoc;icn, unless he viii agree 10 the
.ANS& ss capitalists. ana tglS} IN
=. their capital solely 20 make profits,
.s wage allowed the workinsman is. as
ssaera proposition. no larger than
.saasfed TO maintain his subsistence.
- even were the capitalist disposed TO
~s.a hoeral w4ge. he ~ IN competition
~ "a OTTER capitalists. and the wage OF
worker tends iTraSisslbly downward.
me Point of subsistence.
give u st!ii further power, capital
s~ssss aad eentralixes. and having
1asa cut competition IL enjoys a mo-
10y which makes e the master % the
.ss sssssia no less than the commercial
=. s&,oa The great body OF wage work
:, .ae active producers Of wealth. are
eass s mercy. They are essentially slaves
49, 'ass system They are compelled 20
49, WAT Is Showed them. and must
~ under such conditions as can.taI ian
s.s. OK pay the penalty OF itlenesS-
~ s ss.on and Death. Tacre Is no posss-
ssss system. '''"0e ah"ss
~. true that worksngruen still have
sf Political rights. bat hess are iarss.
salfinsed, X nos aes,royea nv their
e..,0isc dependence THOUSANDS ~
,rsis.0 OK corpor atoms know tina, their
,A,s, . es' depends anon their voting as
shet, n.nesefs want chem to vote, and
tsas,,.ss .ueal 'nteps 9deuce - thus ex-
NJ ana they become tire unrests,-
n of The capitalist class
Frn,, .a taat SorAiDC men are reduced
s.rs 49,. s1as social Condition flows all the
N - crime tsss curse the world ana
d Will widen ANA aeef,en as ions
ssssr- aase a commercial system which
sssaasa, " sne ives - h9srat beings sra
q n.,a, ~ f1er woo labor to the level
"a. .schandise % er e,,,leh, ara s,,a j.,
rnssvs saespenHg markets NJ the worla
skov I"s Ter tie purpose ~ this article
ta e.r... upen TIE other h4nG. cprrcr.
sAs cc,y,'.s. aeoAaeaes pubic morals ns
psr.,. spS use 81 large sa.s~e of as in
sss9 fans in ooatrol5iuS lez.x,s,i,,, ara
M sources ef power thS1 .,sr,,..,,,-s.,s
a. tie 81 penSe az ,hs. px,,,-