THE SOCIAL PROBLEM.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 115, 18 May 1906, Page 4

THE SOCIAL PROBLEM.

WILL SOCIALISM DEVELOP

ABILITY?

"It is highly probable (remarks the i-'Neiv York Nation") that we are in for Socialistic movements in this conntry of greater range and vitality than any we have as yet known. The ideas are certainly in the air, are infecting the most unlikely persons, and will doubtless run their course. But socialism, after all, will find that it has to face the same old problems that have perplexed the framers and operators of government from the cave-man down. These relate chiefly to fundamental hi'msin qualities—ability and character. How can we best draw out ability? How can we keep our public servants honest? Any man who can surely and satisfactorily answer these two'questions may bo said to have solved both the social problem and the government problem. But he will have to begin, if he is honest, by admitting that industrialism and the rewards of wealth have been wonderful developers of able men. Has socialism miy such spur in ability? If it lias not, it has no philosophical .justification, and will not long be tolerated by men who believe in human progress by individual variation and distinction. And the socialistic regime would bo no hotter than the present, governmentally. unless better men were produced to administer it. There will be no happythought regeneration over-night of that hoary old sinner, the world. ]t is a vast complex of life, in the coil of which AA re are all caught; and it is well for none of us to imagine that he has in his keeping the secret of universal happiness."