ave been
tried, affecting the whole range of inequalities in wages and perquisites.
In many instances, wages have been fixed by law, and that for long periods
of time, but without relieving in any respect the actual force of
competition among wage-earners themselves. Indeed, the tendency of very
explicit enactments is to weaken the individual ability of wage-earners by
destroying ambition. Wages fixed by law are necessarily as low as the
average would be in a free competition; otherwise production is hindered
and capital is diminished. With this low average any worker of more than
average ability gains nothing by exerting his ability, but does gain ease
by neglect. Thus enforced uniformity reduces the energy of the producing
forces and practically closes the doors of advancement from wage-earning
to profit-making.

A similar effect is found in efforts to regulate the hours of labor by
law, except where the law simply defines the meaning of a day's work or
emphasizes the importance of public health and vitality rather than
equality in distribution. Humanity has done much in reducing hours of
toil, and may yet do more; but it will be for humanity's welfare in larger
considerations than are measured by money. The eight-hour question, so
constantly agitated in certain callings, concerns the entire people just
so far,--and no farther,--as the general health and energy of the community
depend upon it. Farming communities stand aloof from its application; and
yet there is no question that the farmer's home might be even better than
it is for developing physical and mental vigor, if hours of toil were more
carefully restricted to meet the conditions of healthful growth and
activity.

Other conditions, affecting the employment of children and women, are
proper subjects of restriction by law; for these also involve the
consideration of general welfare in the elevation of the physical, mental
and moral characteristics of the race. Upon the same plane must be put all
legal restrictions upon methods and machinery, reducing the dangers from
accident and promoting the comfort of employes. All restrictions serve
their purpose only so long as they are appreciated as having their reason
for existence in general welfare. The rights of an employer, under
contract with his employe, like the rights of a parent in control of his
child, are subject to the law of good will; and the world will yet find a
way to make its restrictions felt wherev