The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-09

ship OF the rails. We have too much
governmental interference. and yet he ad-
vocates more" II this isn't as fine speci-
men Of tanglefoot logic as one could
meet in a days diligent reading oom-
mend me to the volume containing Its
superior.
Here Is the situa tion. The government
at present interferes In the business of
intra-mural transportation TO the extent
that IL forbids every one from engaging
In that business in the city Of Provf-
denoe except the Rhode Island company.
The proposition advanced is that the
government maintain the railroad exact
" as 1t maintains that portion OF the
highway which Is paved with stone or
wood or macadam instead OF iron and
withdraw the prohibition which It has es-
tablished In favor OF the Rhode Island
company. In other words. the PROPOSE
tion Is simply that the government cease
interfering with the business Of intra-
mural transportation. Maintaining rail-
road il not legitimate feature OF the
transportation business any more than
maintaining a macadam road Is a Iegiti-
mate feature Of the livery business.
Maintenance Of the highways is prop
er function OF government; carrying pas
sengers for hire Is not. Your correspond
ent will probably take exception 10 the
statement. All socialists do. They hold.
as nearly as I can comprehend their
meaning. that government or society act
ing through government Is competent to
do whatever a majority OF the members
OF society shall decree. II this view is
correct then we shall have done with all
our theories of natural rights. We shall
be obliged TO relegate the Declaration OF
Independence to the scrap heap and sub
nit our lives. our liberties and the fruits
OF our labor TO a government OF unlim-
tied and irresponsible power.
But this writer doesn't believe the peo-
pie OF these United States are yet ready
to abandon the principles upon wnlch
their government was founded, and upon
which IL has been conducted 80 success
fully for 127 years.
Your correspondent quoting again says;
I'VE have grown TO be a rich and pow
OF people" Has he stopped TO think OF
how our wealth was created and how II
has been divided? Yes, he has often
thought that the present distribution OF
wealth is very inequitable. But he has
never been able to see that an equal
division OF the wealth created would pro-
duce equity. As stated by distinguish,
services Is a gross ofrense against the die
tates of equity and justice" Indeed, this
writer once heard a definition OF So
cialist; which ran something ike THIS;
yearnings for an equal division OF other
folks earnings"
Now what the writer would like to have
brought about Is condition In which
every one shall be secured in the enjoy
ment OF all that he produces And when
everyone shall be secured in the enjoy
ment OF all. that he produces no one will
be able to enjoy more than he produces.
In such a condition an inequitable dis
OF wealth will be impossible.
But such condition can only come through
freedom. The liberty OF every man TO
produce and TO exchange or entoy as he
the fruit OF his industry must
be limited only by the equal right OF
every other man. Thus were relegato
protective tariffs and laws taxing per-
sonal property 10 the limbo TO which our
friends have consigned Ros-
scsu's theories and Will usher in the time
when the lines quoted by your corre-
spondent at the close OF his very interest
Ing communication will have become to-
tally inapt. j. w.
Providence. March 4. 1909.