The daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 190?-1908, 1907-08-17
OPPRESSION IN FOREIGN LANDS.
Laborers Reduced to Slavery Through
Systems Of Land Holding.

Systems Of Land Holding.
Americans should be thankful fer
the liberty that their form Of govern
ment allows. II is only necessary to
study into conditions as they obtain
in many OF the European countries, to
learn how enslaved 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 II 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 $3.50 a week. In silesa. where
there are large cotton factories, expert
weayers receive from s2.2S to 50 per
week, and women employed at like
work earn less than 81 per week.
Even in Old England. whore labor is
paid the best OF auy 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. II Is said by some that
there is a 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 a men
ace that is too lightly estimated. The
Epreventive remedy 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
! AEf1lforg ,,p,,, ,,,g1Iy,,r 90 l,u,r, ,,,.,,,
ally were contributed to them by the
people in all parts of the United
States. The vast funds built up for
the protection of policyholders had tc
seek profitable investment. The great
captains of finance evolved means for
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
anco companies utilized in carrying
out the plans of the great combina
tions. Thus 1t can be seen how
trusts have been built up and the
money Of the people used for this pur
pose, and too often to oppress the
very classes that contributed the
funds which made IL possible fol
bringing into existence these combina
tions.
II can be understood how essential
1t is that industries OF this kind be es
tablished in the different states, and
how the money contributed by the
people of a state TO a company in
some other state works directly
against the contributors. What hold.
good in the insurance business apple.
equally to other industries. BY keep
ing the earnings of people in the
community where these earnings arS
produced. is to the best interests o.
the people. If it is necessary that they
be sent from the community, as fal
as possible keep the earnings within
the limits of the state, for what assists
state to greatness makes lighter tn,
burden of taxation upon all the people
within 1t and materially helps ever!
community within the state.
The student can plainly understand
how the concentration of business ant
of money car o prevented by a sim
pie rule which involves the patronagr
Of local institutions and the retaininj
in each community as far as possible
all the wealth produced within tha
community. II this principle be close
ly adhered to 1t will be impossible 70
any requirement of such vast powo
as will oppress the American peopl
as the common classes of many of tn
European countries are oppressed.
Need Good Bank.
a npnd 4, ,