The record-union., 1899-05-26

machines do the greater part OF the
work that was performed by hands
generation ago Great manufactures
now turn out everything we wear,
much that we eat and all the impie-
ments that we use. What hope can the
American boy have of ever reaching
the top of the industrial ladder? And
that ladder has been shooting upward,
like the extension ladders used by fire
men, since the beginning of this era
Of combinations, syndicates and trusts.
But the boy must earn a living, and
he is obliged to take the best situation
that offers, beginning his life work
without the incentive that comes from
the hope of future independence. AL
though he may earn good living he
plods along with but little encourage
ment, the chances favoring life-bat-
tie with his nose always in close prox-
unity to the grindstone.
This difference between present and
past conditions results from the con-
centration of industries in the hands of
large capitalists. which has now culinl-
mated in mighty trusts, reaching clear
up to the billion dollar limit. These
great monopolies are the dragon in the
roadway that confronts the American
boy as he starts out on life's journey. 1t
is more formidable than the animal
that ST. George tackled. And yet there
is hope that, if the people will get to-
gether and act determinedly they may
realize the promise of Psalms xcl-i3,
The dragon shalt thou trample under
FOOT
SCHOOL TAX.
Los Angeles Express: The Alabama
Legislature is seriously considering
measure which proposes that the school
tax revenue derived from the property
of white men be devoted to the educa-
ton of white children, and that from the
property of colored men to colored chill
dren. AS the average colored citizen of
Alabama has scarcely even seen a deed
to a piece of real estate, the ingenious
devilishness Of the proposed enactment
can be easily understood.
AN INDUSTRIAL INVASION.
Los Angeles Times: Not only is the
United States coming to the front and
winning victories with the sword in
the Orient, but in Europe this country
is making itself felt in no less striking
manner, through the useful arts Of
peace, across the Atlantic. The manu-
facturers Of Great Britain and other
European countries are greatly worked
up over the astonishing inroads which
our manufacturers have been making
in the markets of the world. That our
manufacturers of rails and machinery
Should be able to compete with old
established English firms in their own
territory, is something that the British
ers can as yet scarcely realize, yet it is
a fact that even English railroads have
been ordering locomotives from this
country, while numerous orders have
been received from the colonies and
from India. The Daily News of Lon
don in a recent article on American
enterprise, admits that American manu-
facturers have made wonderful ad-
vances, while the English have al
recently secured from the Russian
Government an order for an immense
dredging machine, to be operated on the
Volga. The machine was so successful
that orders for similar ones have been
received from the Australian and In
dian Governments, while committees
are coming to inspect it from South
Africa, China, Japan and several Euro
pean countries.
be able to compete with countries
where the scale of wages is far lower
than here is a striking tribute to the
intelligence and ingenuity of the Amer
lean mechanic.