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SOCIALISM  IN  ENGLAND.

justifiable  and  commendable  means  of  putting  workmen  more
on  an  equality  with  their  employers  in  the  matter  of  contracts,
and  trade  disputes  are  more  often  referred  to  Boards  of  Conciliation ­
  or  to  arbitration  than  formerly.  The  well-to-do
classes,  including  even  the  “  marauders  ”  and  “  slave-drivers  ”
in  Parliament,  are  beginning  to  look  upon  the  labour  question
with  far  more  sympathy  for  the  labourer  than  either  they  or
their  fathers  used  to  do.  This  is  shown,  amongst  other  ways,
by  the  change  which  is  stealing  over  the  old  Political  Economy,
by  the  growing  interest  taken  in  the  proceedings  of  all  congresses ­
  and  societies  which  occupy  themselves  with  the  discussion ­
  of  social  problems,  by  the  increasing  space  devoted  to
social  subjects  in  contemporary  literature,  and  by  the  greater
attention  given  by  the  Legislature  to  questions  affecting  the
good  of  the  working  classes.  As  I  write,  I  come  across  an
account  in  the  Pall  Mall  Gazette  (September  8th)  by  Mr.
Frederic  Harrison,  of  a  new  industrial  inquiry  set  on  foot  by  an
anonymous  gentleman  of  Edinburgh,  who  has  given  jQiooo
“  to  make  some  provision  for  keeping  before  the  public  mind
this  vital  question,  namely  :—What  are  the  best  means,  consistent ­
  with  equity  and  justice,  for  bringing  about  a  more  equal
division  of  the  accumulated  wealth  of  the  country,  and  a  more
equal  division  of  the  daily  products  of  industry  between  Capital
and  Labour,  so  that  it  may  become  possible  for  all  to  enjoy  a
fair  share  of  material  comfort  and  intellectual  culture,  possible
for  all  to  lead  a  dignified  life,  and  less  difficult  for  all  to  lead
a  good  life."  A  conference  of  a  large  number  of  representative
men  is  to  be  held  next  January  for  the  discussion  of  this
question,  and  meantime  statistics  bearing  upon  it  are  being
carefully  collected.
Many  Social  Reformers  go  one  step  further  with  Socialists.
Not  only  do  they  admit  much  of  the  Socialist  indictment  against
the  present  industrial  system,  but  they  agree  with  the  Socialists
in  thinking  that  the  only  ultimate  solution  of  the  question  will
be  found  in  the  union  of  Capital  and  Labour  in  the  same  hands.
It  is  in  the  method  of  bringing  about  this  solution,  and  in  the
form  of  its  realization,  that  Social  Reformers  definitively  part
company  with  Socialists.  The  latter  say  that  nothing  short  of