Page:King Camp Gillette - The Human Drift (1894).djvu/16

4 No reform movement can meet with success unless that movement takes into consideration the power of capital, and is based on present business methods, and conforms to the same laws. If a reform movement could be devised which conformed to all the laws which govern the commercial world, and yet be independent in its strength to all opposing force, either competitive or political, it would have all the elements of success within its grasp. Though in numeral strength it might be weak, it would have the chances of success of the individual multiplied by the number of supporters of the movement, and in such union of strength and concentration of capital it would be invincible; for gravitation in the commercial world is regulated by the same positive laws that control the material universe, and large capital attracts and must finally absorb small capitals and competitive interests.

The United Company spoken of in the following pages should not be looked upon as an individual enterprise, but as a system whereby the people would gradually assume control of production and distribution by a natural process of absorption. When viewed in this light, and its final consummation considered, as compared with our present chaotic system, it will at once secure the favorable judgment of all those familiar with commercial affairs, and carry conviction of its continuous success and final triumph.

If a movement is started from a single point, those who form part of the movement are those who understand its object and appreciate its advantages; but, if the attempt is made to accomplish by legislation the same end, we have all the conflicting ideas of society to contend against, which, on account of the wealth and power of those interested in the maintenance of the present system, would render the reform impossible.

I would not venture to propose a change in our present system, were it not for the fact that we have arrived at a point where the average intelligent individual can be made to see that the logical conclusion of the present system is the same that it is proposed to reach by the United Company, but the United Company would reach that end in probably one-tenth the time.

Under our present system the wealthy are just as much slaves to circumstances as the poorest beggars. They are under a constant strain of anxiety in guarding their property and keeping their surplus invested in safe securities. Besides this, they are mostly business men who labor night and day from early years to old age. They produce nothing, their only business in life being to so manipulate property that they may absorb the wealth which is produced by the labor of others. What do they get for all this scheming which is at the expense of their fellow-men? After all is said and done, they only get food, clothing, and a shelter, and means whereby to gratify their vanity and greed.

Under a system of equal justice, they would get much more, with less expenditure of labor and no worry or anxiety. Their food would no longer be adulterated and manufactured in filthy places;