The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-07-02
THE OBLIGATIONS OF WEALTH.

accumulated wealth and corporate
power are occupying the close attrn-
ton of many of our leading men today.
and 1t Is well that they should. for the
more the dangers and Obligations of
wealth are discussed and the better
they are understood the more easy il
Will be TO apply the necessary remedies
70 the evils growing cut of accumulated
wealth. Wealth, in itself is not an evil.
no more than Is physical or intellectual
power. But wealth, when used to crush
out competition, to ruin feilowman,
TO decrease labor even though it results
IN :, derresst, in the prices OF The neCcs-
sarIes OF life, is curse. The whole
tendency of the present time is towards
the ABSORPTION 10y the few, by corporate
power, of all the industries, all the rail
ways and other public convenience, and
all the mineral and timber wealth ofthe
country. Indeed, SO rapid has been the
growth of corporate power within the
past :ew years, and so great is evils,
that II would seem almost impossible TO
increase them. Time was when small
men, small stores. and small factories
could exist, but now the combines and
trusts have by the Introduction Of labor
saving machiHerv and other methods
reduced profits 10 such an extent that
It IS Impossible for the small dealer or
manufacturer To succeed. Thus are
small and local enterprises crushed and
individual effort paralvzed. Thus are
men deprived of labor 1t is idle to say
that neCessaries are cheap. What does
1t avail 4 man if bread is only
cent 4 loaf if he has not the cent
WhercwIth to buy il. \ nation is pros
porous and happy just to the degree
that Its people are cmployed and pro
tected IN the exercise ofthcir individual
rights. Injustice and idleuess are the
fruitful parents of misery, discomfort
and crime.
But corporate wealth rs well as indi-
Nidual capitalists 90 not ston al crush
ing out tine small men" 1t refuses
10 bear It's just share OF the burdens OF
taxation as well. Speaking of the Dan
gers and obligations of Wealth" Ex-
President Harrison SAYS, IN part:
" The great hulk Of our people are
lovers OF Justice. They DO not believe
That poverty j. virtue or property a
crime Ih"y believe in an e1uality uf
opportunity and not of dollars. Eut
there must toe no handIcappiuc OF the
dull brother and 10 chiCanery or fraud
CT Sinking. If Our plan OF taxation IN
Guides notes and bonds and Sto,ksth,.y
must he listed. The plea of business
privacy has been driven To hard. II
Tor mere statistical purposes we NAV
ask the head OF the family whether
there are any idiots i'll his household
ami enforce an answer hv court process.
we may surely for revenue purposes re-
Puire detailed list OF his securities.
Tue men who have wealth must no,
hide II from the tax -atherer AMI Haunt
IL on the street. such Things breed a
great discomfort. All other men are
hnrt- They bear diSprOportiunatcE bur
ien. strong soldier Will carry the
huapsark q crippled Comrade. hut lie
VIII not permit Il robust shirk to add 81
much Is MS tin cup 10 his burden
Equality Is the golden thread that
runs All through the fabric Of our civil
ms Ituuoh>-the dominating note in the
swelling symphony of liberty. The fl
VnrIilsms and class distinctions which
Characielized the governments and adj.
mlulStrI'ons 81 Europe were DESTROYED.
Witn the eStdbiis hment Of government
under the American constr. ution 4,
The polls, before the courts. in all AZ
stmhIie> 81 the people. in ali legislation
There Was 10 tie, not Il class perra,r
but 4 universal rcera-e.'
He then goes on 70 show that the con.
diton Of things is the opposite ut Ina,
was intended, citing cases where ricf
men, bankers, and others deliberately
conceal their wealth and defraud tn,
government. Thus do robust shirks'
add great deal more than the weight
OF their tin cups 10 the burdens OF the
honest taxpayers. Thus has equality
OF burdens been demonstrated myth
Hence, saws Professor Seli-mau. 9TH,
unrest of the present day; hence tn,
dissatisfaction in the rural districts
hence the continual efforts made 10 en-.
iorte tie :,;-.Itlol .. personality ~ (: :