There is one law capable of application to all the phases of life-the law of Evolution. Applying it to social life, using the term social in a limited sense, we find we had first the individual, then the family, then the tribe, then the State, then the nation-all these links being historic facts. Now we are witnessing the alliance of nations, and may we not ultimately expect the universal nation? So, commercially we had first the individual, then the copartnership, then the corporation, and now the trust-all these links again historic facts-and, logically, next comes the State, then the nation, and ultimately the universal nation. This may seem a dream, but it is borne out by what has gone before. Looked at thus, I am unable to join in the indiscriminate denunciation of trusts, which are only a step in evolution; and the more oppressive they become, the more they crush out competition and the small dealer, the more they segregate what we term wealth-aggrandizing the few and impoverishing the many-the more rapidly they will hasten the ultimate outcome. But how, legally and peaceably, i. e., within the limits of recognized law, can the accumulation and perpetuation of colossal fortunes be prevented?

In 1879 there was a great "howl" from one end of the United States to the other over the proposed adoption by California of a new State constitution, born as a result of the "Sand Lots" agitation. California adopted it and has not been ruined. One of its main provisions-the exclusion of the Chinese has been now for many years the law of the United States. Its other principal feature was a system of progressive taxation. This, it was said, would drive capital out of the State; but it has not, and its general principle is now everywhere recognized. This was that corporations ought to bear the largest share of the burden of taxation, receiving as they do great privileges and franchises. In great cities like New York the corporations could easily bear the entire brunt of taxation and yet earn fair dividends on an honest capitalization. The Broadway street-railroad, Jacob Sharp testified, cost less than $20,000 a mile, and was immediately bonded for $200,000 a mile.

One of the anomalies of taxation is the objection to an income tax, the fairest conceivable tax, while a personal tax, which is in every way unsatisfactory and most difficult to collect, is not objected to. European countries more wise than we find no difficulty in imposing and collecting an income tax, and it is a certainty of the future in the United States. Again, on principle it does not seem unfair that capital should pay a heavier tax than labor, not proportionate-because that it does pay-but a higher rate. It has more to lose and requires more protection, and it would seem just to divide taxation-as the fire insurance companies divide their risks-into ordinary and hazardous, and to place capital under the latter and charge it a higher premium rate. But this, in view of what I am about to write, is a minor consideration.

It will probably startle the majority of readers to be told that there is no constitutional right to dispose of one's property after death—that is, to make a will. Prior to the time of Henry VIII., wills were unknown. Property was disposed of by fictitious legal devices known as "uses" and "trusts," which modern legislation has practically wiped out, and such remnants as remain the Legislature may destroy at pleasure. So the power to make a will is purely statutory-and unless all the formalities, differing in the various States, are observed a will is not valid-and to-morrow if it saw fit the Legislature could decree that no man or woman should have the power to make a will. This is a startling legal possibility. When there is no will the State claims the right to say how property shall be distributed, and every State has its "statute of distributions."

Now, see how the State-here and even to a greater extent in Europe has partially put a curb on the will-making power. Laws of the character referred to have passed and do pass without argument or creating any particular comment. Take the State of New York for illustration. It began not so many years ago by imposing a small tax on collateral inheritances, which it has constantly increased, and to-day taxes direct inheritances as well. And on top of this State tax the United

States has added similar taxes for itself. This species of taxation has been declared constitutional. If the State can lawfully take one per cent. in this way, why cannot it take fifty or whatever it may please? The principle is not affected by the rate of taxation so long as it is uniformly applied.

Here, then, without bullets and entirely within law, are ways within which, whenever the people get ready, they can stop the accumulation and perpetuation of colossal fortunes and the impoverishment of the many for the aggrandizement of the few. The ballot-box is their cannon.

Chicago, Ill.

WALDORF H. PHILLIPS.

THE PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION.

HAT America should have grown out of all proportion

THA

to the idea of it held in the minds of the Spanish, shortly after the memorable visit of Columbus to these shores, is not to be wondered at in the least. The Old World had taken on forms of life that could have had no other natural ending than complete mental lethargy, and final utter degeneration. Religion, so called, had cast its mask over the face of science, and the souls of men had been warped into the shriveled forms of the materialism of the religious combinations of the day. Life as it is lived now, in complete individual freedom of thought and action, was not known; consequently, no one but that restless spirit of genius, Columbus, cared what was on the other side of what then seemed an endless tract of ocean.

The whole world bows before a true genius, and seems only to wallow and wait for his coming. When the Christ came the world was wallowing. When Columbus came the world was wallowing-in its pretended love for the Christ. Then came Washington, in a more favorable time, and we have today America as a result of the intellectual and spiritual striving of free men and free women-the latter of the greater importance to the progress of the world; for where woman is not free man is not. Latin America has yet to learn that she must free her women before she will rise upon a level with these United States of humanity.

When the Pan-American gates are thrown open on the first day of May, 1901, a scene of unparalleled beauty and interest will charm the eye and delight the fancy of the visitor. Many millions of dollars will have been expended in the production of this Exposition of American progress— a worthy representation of the wonderful era of development we live in and an earnest of what is to come.

Ten years of modern progress outweigh centuries of the past. So fast are we moving on that a generation is hardly alive and grown before its customs and feelings are changed for the newer and higher thought and life. Truly, all things are being made new; and we see more clearly and with greater ease than we are aware of at times.

Great Expositions are mile-stones in the progress of the world. On these occasions we turn our thoughts on the vista of the past and take account of what man is doing with the tremendous energy called life.

The scope of the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, N. Y., is so broad that it includes all departments of human effort. One great object is to bring into close relationship the commercial and social sides of the governments of the western hemisphere that the well-being of all may be promoted and America stand as enlightened and progressive. The grounds of the exhibition are considered the most accessible of any site that could have been selected. The electric street-railway connections are such that nearly all lines will take one direct to the grounds. It will consume only twenty minutes from the main railway station of the city, on the trolley cars, while the railroads will have lines running directly to the Exposition. The reason that Buffalo was selected for the PanAmerican was because it is within twelve hours of forty millions of people, thus giving an easy opportunity for a very large number to realize our American progress.

The Exposition, in its arrangement of courts, contemplates a much greater area than any similar enterprise undertaken in this country. The electrical and fountain effects have been designed with reference to this large area. The National Government has dealt liberally with the Exposition, having made an appropriation of $500,000 for buildings and exhibits. Progress and improvement in educational methods and systems have been so marked within a few years as to call for special attention from the Exposition management. The new methods of work will be made clear, and practical results exhibited under conditions favorable to all interested in educa