The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-05

great mcQlclne tnlS IHoHtH- II Ltu'S
makes people we'll.
ISOLATED Press telegram of April 21st in
formed us that the conservative papers
of Germany were freely expressing their
indignation because a majority OF the
Emperor Williams guests, on recent
excursion of the Kron Prinz Wilhelm,
were untitled business men. They were
princes of gold" and not princes of the
blood, and the Cologne Volks Zeitung
said that eff those who have written AN
industrial state, world trade on their
banners, shall get the upper hand, then
Germany will face the mightiest internal
transformation which modern history
records
Italy is in a ferment of socialism. The
student riots in Russia mean socialism,
and in Australia the movement is per-
haps more advanced than it is in any
other quarter. In New Zealand we are
told, in a recent Interview by a Mr..
Caldwell, president of the falkland, New
Zealand Board of Trade, that socialism
is being thoroughly tested by govern
ment which. he says, is a success; and
this gentleman goes on to declare that
his opinion formed after two months OF
travel among us, sgthat labor organi-
cations will bring sthe United States to
socialism at no very, distant date.
Is there reallyGaaything in conditions
here upon which this, New Zealand OBJ
server could have based his prophecy
Let US see.
Paternalism is the halfway house on
1: 10 lem
and here the trend of public opinion to-
wards paternalism is unmistakable, in
municipal, State, and Federal legisla-
ton. We see it all over the Union in
the extension of municipal functions
Many of our towns and cities own their
lighting system; some are operating
street railways, and more than 90 per
cent. own their waterworks number
of cities give public baths, while Boston,
Syracuse and Chicago have wayfarer'
inns. But the general and marvellous in
crease of municipal expenditures tells
broadly the most unmistakable story
The city budget of Philadelphia. in the
year 500 was S6S,000. In 900 it was far
over $50, 900 900. The per capita eXpendi-
ture in Philadelphia was, in 1900, 81
cents; in 1900 it was over s27. You will
see the same thing, no doubt. in the
municipal history of cities in your own
State, and so | have no need to multiply
examples. A portion of the increase OF
expenditures is due. no doubt, here and
there, to extravaganza and corruption
but in great part it is only the necessary
result of the extension of municipal
functions in the direction of paternalism.
You will find the same increase of eX-
penditures in our State governments.
Much of it, especially in the South, is
for common school education and every
such expenditure is to be heartily ap
plauded. Nevertheless, however, laudable
in any particular inshtance the eX
perdture, the tendency to paternalism is
there all the same, and it is that tenden-
cy l am noting.
Turn then to the budget of our Federal
Government Very little, indeed I am
happy to believe. no appreciate part OF
it's outlay is traceable to corruption, and
yet the expenditures grew from ssh, 900
00C in 1860 to SAT- 900 900 in 1900 the per
capita expenditure from $1.90 in 1860 to
S. so in 1900. This comes largely from
pensions, an increased army and a mod
ern navy but these by no means account
for the difference. Much of the increase
results from an extension of the tune
tions of the government. Without going
into details, I may say that through the
Coast Survey, the Geological Survey,
the photographic Survey. and the Ma
tional Observatory cur Government is
spending more money on abstract and
applied science than is thus expended by
all the other governments OF the world
combined. Bear in mind. I am not con-
demning any particular item, but only
citing, when / note, during the last TWEEN
ty years, the establishment Of the Agri-
cultural Department, the Bureau of La
Dor, the pending establishment of De-
partment for Labor and other things, the
Inter State Commerce Commission, Ag-
ricultural Experiment Stations, extern
sion of the Weather Bureau. the increas-
ed expenditures for public buildings, ard
for rivers and harbors, eight hour leg
islation for labor, legislation for butter
makers etc. Very recently the House
of Representatives at Washington, al
though it is clear that the expense will
be much greater, voted, labor organiza-
lions petitioning for it, to compel the Sec
rotary of the navy to build at least
three vessels in navy yards, instead of by
contract. Votes like this would not be
surprising if the only meaning was that
the navy yard representatives were, as
gRaosm4sIO