The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1907-08-01
OPPRESSION IN FOREIGN LANDS.
Laborers Reduced to Slavery Thraush
Systems Of Land Holding.

Americans should oe thankful for
the liberty that their form of govern
ment allows. 1t is only necessary to
study into conditions as they obtain
in many of the European countries, to
learn how enslayed are the common
classes of the people of those coun-
tries. The holding of vast estates by
the nobility has reduced the peasant
classes to a condition of serfdom.
In these countries it is also notice
able that the artisans, and the work
ers in the mills, receive wages that
are barely sufficient to buy them food
and clothing. In many of the CONT
mental countries of Europe the farm
laborer receives as compensation from
81 to $1.50 a week. In Silesa, where
there are large cotton factories, expert
weavers receive from $2& to SO per
week, and women employed at like
work earn less than 50 per week.
Even in Old England, where labor is
paid the best of any European coun-
try, in the cotton factories the scale
for labor runs from $4.S6 to 5000 a
week. Where wages are so low it is
impossible for the people to save
money, and it is necessary that they
live upon the plainest and cheapest
food in order to make ends meet
In comparison with these countries
how grand are the opportunities for
the laborer in the United States! In
America there are homes for all who
would build them. In no part of the
earth is there such reward for indi-
vidual effort. 1t is said by some that
there is tendency even in this free
country toward oligarchy. That the
| tendency towards the concentration of
financial power and business in the
densely populated districts is men,
ace that is too lightly estimated. The
| preventive remGdy for this evil lies in
| the hands of the masses. There is
great need of the people in general
studying more deeply into economic
subjects. The simple principles upon
which business rests appear to be lit.
tie understood by the average citizens.
The remedy for the prevention Of the
building up of one section of the
| United States at the cost of another
section is readily at hand, and each
and every citizen can do his part in
administering this remedy.
For many years great insurance
companies have maintained their
headquarters in large eastern cities
Millions upon millions of dollars annu
ally were contributed to them by the
people in all parts of the United
States. The vast funds built up fol
the protection of policyholders had tc
seek profitable investment. The great
captains of finance evolved means fol
the employment of this capital. A
dozen small industries independently
conducted would be combined into one
company, capitalized far up in the
millions and the money contributed
to the funds maintained by the insur
ance companies utilized in carrying
out the plans of the great combina
tions. Thus it can be seen hoV
trusts have been built up and thu
money of the people used for this pur
pose, and too often to oppress th'
very classes that contributed tht
funds which made it possible TO
bringing into existence these combina
tions.
1t can be understood how essentia
it is that industries of this kind be es
tablished in the different states, ant
how the money contributed by tn
people of state to a company il
some other state works directl
against the contributors. What hold
good in the insurance business apple
equally to other industries. By keeI
ing the earnings of a people in tn
community where these earnings ar
produced, is to the best interests @
the people. If it is necessary that the
: be sent from the community, as ia
as possible keep the earnings With
the limits of the state, for what assist
} a state to greatness makes lighter tn
} burden Of taxation upon all the peopl
within it and materially helps ever
t community within the state
} The student can plainly understan
how the concentration of business an
of money can be prevented by sin
pie rule which involves the patronag
of local institutions and the retainin
: in each community as far as possibl
: all the wealth produced within thu
2 community. If this principle be clos
! ly adhered to it will be impossible fl
3 any requirement of such vast powe
2 as will oppress the American peopl
as the common classes of many of tt
5 European countries are oppressed.
Need a Good Bank.