The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
labour—the production of the things we need? They are suffering from the delusion that it doesn't matter what kind of work they do, or whether they merely do nothing, so long as they get money for doing it. Under the present extraordinary system that's the only object they have in view—to get money. Their ideas are so topsy-turvey that they regard with contempt those who are engaged in useful work! With the exception of criminals and the poorer sort of loafers, the working classes are considered to be the lowest and least worthy in the community. Those who manage to get money for doing unproductive work are considered more worthy of respect on that account. Those who do nothing themselves but get money out of the labour of others are regarded as being more worthy still! But the ones who are esteemed most of all and honoured above all the rest are those who obtain money for doing absolutely nothing!'
'But I can't see as that proves that money is the cause of poverty,' said Easton.
'Look here,' said Owen; 'the people in division four produce everything, don't they?'
'Yes, we knows all about that,' interrupted Harlow; 'but they get's paid for it, don't they? They gets their wages.'
'Yes, and what does their wages consist of?' said Owen.
'Why, money of course,' replied Harlow, impatiently.
'And what do they do with their money when they get it? Do they eat it, or drink it, or wear it?'
At this apparently absurd question several of those who had hitherto been attentive listeners laughed derisively; it was really very difficult to listen patiently to such nonsense.
'Of course they don't,' answered Harlow, scornfully, 'they buy the things they want with it.'
'Do you think that most of them manage to save a part of their wages—put it away, in the bank.'
'Well, I can speak for meself,' replied Harlow, amid laughter; 'it takes me all my bloody time to pay my rent and other expenses and to keep my little lot in shoe leather; and it's dam little I spend on beer, p'raps a tanner or a bob a week at the most.'
'A single man can save money if he likes,' said Slyme.
'I'm not speaking of single men,' replied Owen, 'I'm referring to those who live natural lives.'
'What about all the money what's in the Post Office
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