The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-07-20
written for The Catholic Bulletin.)

lOOmoQ large III the puDllc eye. COH-
gratulations have been showered
upon the Catholic Party for the mag
nifcent endorsement given it at the
polls on June second. The Combine
of Liberals and Socialists, which has
not appropriately been compared to
the French Bloc" used every means
to defeat the Catholic Government
which has held the reins of power
since the memorable election of 1884.
In the conflict the opposition met its
Waterloo; and it may be safely as
serted that, apart from all other con-
siderations, the Catholic Government
was returned to power as reward
for the splendid administration which
it has given to Belgium for twenty
eight years and in order that it may
continue to lead that country along
the road to progress and prosperity
in every sphere of human activity.
The Governments Record.
That these twenty-eight years of
Catholic rule have been a blessing to
Belgium is evidenced by the follow
ing facts and statistics:
In 1884 when the Catholic Party
came into power the value of the an
nual imports and exports amounted
to 2,76S,000,000 francs; now it is
1894, 100000. This increase is attrib-
utable to the economic development
which has taken place as result
of the building of canals, the opening
of seaports, and the control of the
railroads by the Government. In
proportion to it's population Belgium
occupies the first place in CONNER
cia1 Importance among the nations.
In 1884 the deposits in Savings
Banks amounted to 165,00O,O0O francs.
In 1911 it totalled nearly 1000, 100000
francs. In the Pension Fund, which
did not exist twenty-eight years ago,
there is now deposited close to 200,-
00O, 600 francs. This is sufficient to
show how devoid of foundation was
the argument brought forward by the
Combine against the Government
that it was leading the country into
bankruptcy.
At the fall of the Liberal Govern
ment in 1884 agriculture in Belgium
was in very precarious condition.
Farming and cattle raising did not
produce one-half what they now pro-
duce. Since the Catholic Party came
into power it has done everything
possible to aid agricultural develop
ment. It has spent more than 1907
100000 francs in promoting scientific
and intensive farming so that nova
days the Belgians are second to none
in agricultural pursuits, and there is
truth in the saying of well-known
traveller who described Belgium as
Brussels surrounded by one big gar
den"
Furthermore, the Catholic Party
| has placed the finances of Belgium on
an excellent footing. The annual de-
| felt under the Liberal Government
| has given way to an annual surplus.
This was not brought about by in
creased taxation; on the contrary,
the taxes have been either lowered
or entirely removed on tobacco, sugar,
coffee, salt and several other in
'dustrial products. Only in one in
stance have the taxes been increased
and that is on the manufacture and
sale of alcoholic beverages. This
increased taxation on alcoholic pro-
ducts has had the effect of diminish
ing in notable degree the consump-
ton of these beverages. The pro-
ceeds, however, are not used to en-
rich the state treasury, but are dis
tributed among the twenty-five hum
dred Belgian communes, or cities and
villages, in the proportion of one
franc to every inhabitant. In this
way all the communal treasures have
been benefited.
In Aid of the Working Class.
In social work Belgium is a model
for the whole world. Each year 35,-
100000 francs are spent on social
laws, and this without increasing the
taxes. 100000 Belgians draw one
franc day from the Pension Fund.
| And here it may be added that the
cost of living in Belgium is much
less than in America, and one franc
leo cents) goes as far in Belgium as
a dollar in America. The old age
pension granted to all people OF
sixty-five years or over who are in
need costs the country 18,0O0,00C
francs annually and has been in
operation for the past twelve years
One of the greatest pieces of social
legislation in Belgium is that which
provides facilities for working people
to reach the scenes of their Iabors al
the smallest possible cost This was
achieved by the establishment of very
cheap workingmen's trains to carry
the laborers to the big centers OF
employment, which the Government
runs at an annual loss of 10000, 0OC
francs. Moreover, the Government
has expended more than 100000, O0C
francs in erecting homes for working
people of which more than 10000