The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-02-02
OyerIegiSIatiOn,

The remarks of ex-Judge Henry T..
Howland at the recent Manufacturers
association banquet in New York We're
briefly alluded to in The Tribune at
the time but a less cursory reference
to them seems warranted. Responding
to the toast, "The Industries of a Ma
ton Affected by Its Laws" he stepped
somewhat aside from the beaten APP
proaches to his theme and treated his
hearers, and indirectly the public at
large TO some timely doses of caustic
common sense.
OF the mischievOus meddling of over
Jealous legislators with affairs not
properly under their jurisdiction we in
this age see much. Having, as Judge
Howland observes, solved all the prob
lens of government these busy men OF
state ARE now with increasing pro-
clivity turning their attention to our
private affairs, and antitrust bills,
anti-theatre- bills, shorter-hours-
for drug-clerks bills BARRIERS and black
smith's-license bills, anti-glucose, anti
oleomargarine, sleeping-car- berth bills
and factory-inspection bills threaten us
on every side. One of the evils which
it is commonly attempted to abolish is
the acquisition of wealth, and the
odium, or at least, the presumption, of
moral guilt is now attached to those
who are prudent, thrifty or astute
enough to get ahead of their fellows.
But are we sure that they who are so
alarmed about the getting of wealth
are any better than they who get it,
or, if it be a felony to get wealth, that
they would not be willing to compound
any number Of such felonies for con-
sideration-to be named by themselves? :?
Most of the penalties for the getting
of money are measures intended not
so much to prevent the acquiring of
wealth as to give other people a share
in il. The Jabberwocky octopus is not
slain with 'vorpal sword but placed
in a cage and sheared annually for the
benefit Of the community. In short, no
one of US objects TO luxury If he can
have some too"
Apart from the legal catalogue of
spoliation the judge thinks there are
other and perhaps even more serious
, manifestations of this desire to meddle
in our private affairs and make us
happy, against our wills, by legislation.
He says: ITO compound drugs for
eight and one-quarter hours a day, to
be shaved by an unlicensed barber, to
permit mill operatives to work longer
| than state senators think they should
| properly wish to, to ride in a carriage
drawn by a horse shod by an unex-
| amined blacksmith-an these offenses
are to be added TO the list Of original
sins, which of themselves have already
proved sufficient to VeX humanity, and
| the recollection of the crime of '73'
will be lost in the multitude of other
| economic crimes which we shall be
| liable to commit. School board sins,
| factory act sins, violation of license
sins will become common, and inspect
| ors with note books and official badges
will swarm about our private walks,
acquaint us periodically with our par
ious state of sin and bring home TO us
the delights Of the insolence Of office. 4"
That 10 which the judge most siren
uously objects in this inordinate null
| tiplication Of good, bad and Indifferent
laws is that the public may after
awhile lose the power TO discriminate