Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 9.djvu/200

 1 86 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

suffer, who are poorly paid, imposed upon, preyed upon by sweaters, misled by agitators, and easily stirred up to disorder, are generally lacking in physical strength, intelligence, or skill.

Never has there been a more profound sympathy among the best and most intelligent citizens of all classes for the hardships and sufferings of the poor, and never before was so much being done to improve the condition of the employed class, as at the present time.

During the last ten or twelve years more than sixteen hundred laws bearing upon labor and industrial questions have been enacted in the forty-eight states and territories. Most of these have been constructive and along the line of progress, in solving industrial problems, in affirming individual liberty, and in pro- tecting class from class and individuals from individuals. Some, secured through demagogic influences, may be said to be retro- gressive tending to undermine individual liberty, and destroy equality of rights by giving special privileges, rights, or exemp- tions to one class over another.

Of late, especially in the far West, there has grown up an exaggerated belief in the power of legislation to do all kind of things to change the laws of nature and of human nature, to place the incompetent, the intemperate, the idle, and the improv- ident on the same plane as the able, the temperate, the indus- trious, and the thrifty, in the competition of life. Neither laws, charters, nor ordinances, however wisely devised, can insure industrial harmony and prosperity unless founded upon principles of justice and sustained by a sound, enlightened public sentiment.

It is recognized that present social and industrial conditions are susceptible of vast improvement. It cannot be claimed that all employers treat their employees fairly or justly. Great mer- chants and manufacturers are too often dominated by cruel commercialism, and entirely wrapped up in money, selfishness, and egotism. Not a few of the rich make a foolish display, and a wasteful, frivolous, corrupting use of their wealth. The inor- dinate greed of great corporations furnishes a basis for many of the current socialistic arguments. The sins of a relatively few endanger the welfare of all, and are largely responsible for the