The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-12-17
caRDINAL TURNED AGITAToR.

CARDINAL lOhNED All Ia oAe'
Cincinnati, Dec. 13.-At the Vine
Street Congregational church today,
the pastor, Herbert S. Bigelow, dis
cussed the recent utterances OF Cardi-
nal Gibbons on the labor problem. Mi.
Bigelow said in part:
The victims of monopoly have found
a new champion. A cardinal has
turned agitator. In cathedral, 1t is
declared that economic conditions are
radically wrong. The silence OF the
church is broken. From high place
of authority comes the plea that JUS
tice be done to the overworked and un-
derpaid labor of America.
This is the burden OF remarkable
sermon delivered by Carolina! Glib
bons last unday in the city OF Baltl-
more.
STARVING WAGES.
After a careful investigation, the
cardinal had discovered that there are
people in Baltimore who toll ten or
twelve hours day for six or eight
dollars week. This pittancc must
suffice for rent, food, clothing, and
other family expenses. This, the car
dinal calls starving wages"
1t does credit for his head and heart
that he has, not apology, but con-
domination for the present-day condi-
tons under which some become sud-
denly rich, while 'the toiler, with The
utmost thrift and economy can
scarcely keep the wolf from the
door. -
JUSTICE NOT CHARITY.
1t is most gratifying to know that
the cardinal does not commend char
ity. but urges that economic condi-
lions be changed so as 10 enable men
to earn by industry and honesty q,
comfortable livelihood
But how shall these conditions be
changed? This is the most moment
GUS question of the age. How does the
cardinal answer it?
n the first place, he says, "Agitate
the question" agitation will bring the
facts to light and teach one-half the
world how the other half lives by
agitation. the air is stirred, the sky
is cleared. healthy discussion is pro-
yoked.
ALMOST A CATHOLIC.
Most worthy cardinal, thou almost
persuadest me to be Catholic! II
ANYTHING could counterfeit the infiu-
ence of my early training, it would
be to see the church hold that high
ground which the cardinal has taken
and throw the weight of her mighty
influence on the side of this most
Christian business of improving So
ciai conditions.
I rejoice that am able to quote the
authority of one SO widely respected,
in favor of the divine right Of agita-
ton and healthy discussion OF REM
edies for social ills.
SOCIALISM OR SINGLE TAX.
But what are the remedies to which
a healthy discussion must lead us?
When one sees how the poison OF
MONOPOLY has entered into our social
organism, both interfering with our
productive activity and inequitably
distributing the wealth that is pro-
duced. he will understand that there
are but two propositions that offer
any hope of solution. One is the
scheme of the socialists and the other
is the program outlined by Henry
George.
do not know what the cardinals
views are, concerning these two
phases of economic thought. 1t should
be enough for the faithful of his
church to know that healthy discus
sion" has received his blessing and
there can be no healthy discussion
that excludes any fact or theory In
the universe.
IL is impossible now to enter into a
discussion of social problems Let q
simple declaration OF social faith
suffice.
| believe that the dream of the so.
cialist IL in keeping with the best
that Christianity teaches and that II
IA possible OF realization.
| believe that the program outlined
by Henry George Is practicable and
natural method Of approach to the so
ciallsts promised land where each
man shall live by the sweat of his
brow and none by the blood OF an
other.
THE FIRST STEP.
The iirst thing that ] would have