Show A GRAVE QUESTION HUMAN affairs are rapidly attaining a condition of incomparable perplexity before a great while judging from the shape hape events and conditions are assuming this important question will toe be forced upon mankind Is human wisdom adequate tor for the gigantic task of legislating so as to effectively control human avarice that this ability exists in man aside from direct communication with the the light of the general drift of dwal concerns may well be doubted the hu human m an ingenuity equal to the formulation formula tio n of laws for the he t proper regulation of society is constantly met and overcome by a counter ability to evade their application that this question is a living one is not only suggested by the multitudinous instances of the grasping for pelf and power by one class of people all over the world to the detriment and misery of the others but also by attempts that are being made to meet the subject and grapple with it republic though it be in no country is the unscrupulous pursuit of wealth andeits and its concentration among classes clas ses more conspicuous than in this hence hen ce the increasing agitation of the subject re relating to the prevention or curtailment of t massive fortunes men are thinking chinkin of methods that will cure the Inanc lal wrongs that are growing every day more attore and more glaring glaring but no suggestion has been made ina c thag thac will so RO much as touch tae subject some borne of our readers are aware of the discussion that is going on in this country in reference to the advisability of inserting a clause in the constitution tor for the purpose of limiting fortunes by providing that no person within the boundaries of the united states shall own or possess beyond a stated elated amount although this question has been recently agitated agitate the subject is not new having as we understand der stand it been suggested nearly ton ten years ago by robert rodney paymaster 0 of the united states state S navy that gentleman gentler formulated and gave to the public as a proposed constitutional amendment on february 2 1879 the foil following lowing no citizen or reside resident Xit or investor in ID any of the states territories or district comprising tiie the united states shall be permitted to possess in all kinds of property an aggregate value of more than ten millions ot of doua collais dol lais i a which sum shall be the limit of private property in any individual joint individual guardian trustee or other form or device of private estate ownership and whenever or wherever uch such private ownership or holding hall oliell be found to exceed the limit above named the surplus shall all be condemned as aa a public nuisance gance and a public peril and be accordingly confiscated fisca ted into tae united states treasury from which it shall be from time to time apportioned among all the state treasuries and she states etc shall each and all enforce the amend maent blent by necessary 0 or penal legislation bailin tailing 9 which congress shall so enforce force it the author of this proposed patch upon the constitution appended the following tol lowing in the form of a note under the above compulsion would divide their surplus among their relatives and friends andi and top stop the excessive absorbing the framers of af the constitution would undoubtedly have provided some such common sense restriction had they foreseen tile the evil unlimited greed would not then have indulged in five thousand millions railroad watering for which by corresponding fares and freights we must be taxed till doom it is evident that mr mind has bas on anthis this subject taken up one line of thought aw ail investigation the intended effect of such an amendment hild had his mind been a double lens arrangement he would i have been able to see that the man of 61 mammoth fortune could evade by the very process tie he prescribed for him the operation of such auch an enactment the distribution among relatives and friends this beme being a day of trusts and combines it would be easy for the american croesus to make his relatives and friends bo many receptacles or holders for his benella benel ben elit lu of his surplus ducats dubats thus such an amendment and enactments enactment made in conformity with t could be overridden or evaded by the constant conflict going on between to legislate for ane regula affairs and the ingenuity to vade laws made aud and provided for that purpose in its general affairs the world appears hastening to a the will doubt less demonstrate the futility ol of the efforts of mankind witti without out divine direction to govern themselves out of the coming troubles will arise a new and better will be when after the ordeal of terrible experience men will be ready to be taught of god the true principles of government and seeing their beauty readily conform to their conditions |