CHAPTER XVI. 



GENERAL EFFECTS OF THE MECHANICAL CHANGES OF 

 THE PAST FIFTY YEARS, AND OF INDUSTRIAL RE- 

 DISTRIBUTION IN THE FUTURE. 



rpHE real effect which the general use of machinery 

 -L in all industries has wrought upon the social 

 condition of our people, is not to be satisfactorily 

 measured or appreciated in the changes which occur 

 from year to year, but, far better, from decade to 

 decade ; and, better still, from half century to half 

 century. 



That during the past fifty years there has been, in 

 the invention, improvement, and use of machinery, 

 an enormous increase in man's power to provide for 

 his necessities and comforts ; and that, at the same 

 time, there has been an alarming development of ex- 

 treme want and pauperism can not be successfully 

 denied. 



Fifty years ago the bonanza farm was unknown. 

 Then there were no huge tracts of our best lands 

 cultivated without a family rooftree upon its whole 

 extent without woman or child, or other indication 

 of a home ; where for a portion of the year were to be 

 found laborers only, under the eye of an overseer, him- 

 self a hireling, with cattle and machinery ; and where, 



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