The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-03-30

man is in doubt as to his right to
retain the millions. He is convinced,
by the laws Of justice and the teach
ings Of Christ, that it is not his TO
use as he pleases, an article IN the
New York Times says:
This man is William F.
brother of Alexander Smith Cochran
OF New York, famous as q yachtsman.
He is a grandson of Alexander Smith,
who started the great carpet factories
at Yonkers, now among the largest
in the United States and employing
thousands. It was his grandfather
Who founded the fortune now troub-
ling him. But the grandfather found
ed it on a system which n grand
son is inclined to oppose.
William F. Cochran Of Baltimore is
asking-in all seriousness and with
intent Of carrying out his convictions
When formed-himself n all who
have thought about such questions
whether he should retain the money,
whether it is immoral to keep 1t,
whether it is unrighteouS for n man
to remain rich.
Mr.. Cochran is q Socialist, a Chris
tan Socialist, besides being q cham
| pion of the cause Of labor and a
leader in temperance movements. be-
| cause in his view temperance is the
first step on the road to freedom for
the w~orkingman. He is the ma who
by the force Of his enthusiasm. COM
mitted the Maryland Diocesan Con-
| ventiOn to the Protestant Episcopal
Curch to the cause Of national prohi-
bition.
But what is he to do with his
money? When he is convinced that
the system under which his fortune
was made was and is i%nQuitous, that
the inheritance laws Of today are I'M
fair, that wealth obtained through an
| inin1itOy1c cvCfon should NOT he kent
what is ne to do?
This problem was considered last
Sunday in a Baltimore church. Mr..
Cochran had delivered an address or
the Passing of the Idle Rich" He
admitted that the die rich were not
passing with any degree of speed. An
open discussion followed, but no solu-
ton was reached.
Mr.. Cochran was subsequently seen
In his office, n k to give his
view Of what disposition Of his wealth
should be made by a young mar who
did not want to keep it. Said Mr..
COchran:
1.-THE least a man can do, when the
system under which he has profited at
the expense Of other peoples labor is
called in question, is to make a firm
resolve to use that wealth, OF so much
Of it as he can refrain from ~expending
for his own personal uses, upon the
~ N0"4 IA 00kOAAA0 A4NA IVA
opinion which sanction the system.
1T must be apparent to some Of the
young men of the country who have
come into the possession Of large for
tunes without 80 much as lifting a
finger to produce the wealth with
which they are presented Ia a code
OF ethics and morals which sanctions
such practices must be faulty and
will lead to the d~isintegration Of any
society of civilization that t~olerates it.
Under these circumstances, if they
have any sense Of patriotism-to say
cal standards-they will be willing 70
surrender their prerogative and priv
1leges and vote against their own in
%terests, if need be. in helping to
: change such standards and customs.
"Whatever might have been Christ
motive in demanding hat the rich
young ruler who came seeking advice
: make distribution to the poor, IAN
> not but believe, should the same ad-
vice be sought today from the same
source. a similar answer might be
given. I belyieve that if you found
yourself. through inheritance a mil
hOnaire, no greater service to society
could be rendered than helping tc
make the rise Of future millionaires
\ i'm possible.
Authors who have strengthened
me N my conviction are Walter
:, itauscisnpusn, author Of 'Christainiz-
- ing the Social Order particularly his
chapter on the tragedy Of Dives; and
- Prof. Albion Small. recent president
y OF the American Sociological Society
y, IL his book, Between Eras.' Profes.
sor small riddles the present system
T with his p-ercirg arguments, holdins
up TO rl:icuie tee many absurd as.
~ sumptlons upon which cur industrial
HE is built / believe that an arm,
of students Of society vii, agree viii
\ III" IN saying that we are TO-DAY liv,
CE1y." 0
:. Il: the church discussion last Sun
ga: atterlpts were made by variou.
"a Speakers TO settle the prohIerns Of n,
world il various was One man SAT-
- tIat all troubles would be hSnishaf
=, II TIC iaboTing men you'd ONLY or
sani2c az tEt point OF production an,
atthe ballot box. N-. Cochran agree,