Page:The Scientific Monthly vol. 3.djvu/382

 376 THE SCIENTIFIC MONTHLY

go to Australia, where opportunity develops their latent powers, and in a generation they are the leading citizens of the land, while the off- spring of our rich men, if they succeed in maintaining their inherited fortune at all, are notably lacking in productive powers through a sur- feit of opportunity, or a lack of something which only the feeUng of a little of the pinch of necessity can supply. Thus, while service incomes may approach somewhere near a distribution in proportion to the wealth that the service actually produces, such a distribution is far from just^ because the deduction from service of the income that goes to property is a deduction from productive ability itself. K property were more equally distributed, becau^se of that production would also be more equally distributed.

The picture we have drawn is a depressing one. It is the more depressing when we remember that the question of wealth is the most important question in men's lives. An elect few who are neither rich nor poor have solved the problem of wealth, but not so with most.

The fear of poverty makes us admire great wealth; and bo habits of greed are formed, and we behold the pitiable spectacle of men who have already more than they can by any possibility use, toiling, striving, grasping to add to their store up to the very verge of the grave.ii^

But the picture is not so depressing when we compare society as it is with what it may be.

Did you ever see a pail of swill given to a pen of hungry hogst That is human society as it is.

Did you ever see a company of well-bred men and women sitting down to a good dinner, without scrambling, or jostling, or gluttony, each knowing that his own appetite will be satisfied, deferring to and helping the others! That is human society as it might be.ii

"Henry George, "Social Problems," Chap. Vm.

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