Note 961 — Chapter II · : STATE SOCIALISM

The imperial message of November 17, 1881, announcing the celebrated series of Insurance Acts admits the necessity for a more marked policy of State intervention: “To lay hold of the ways and means whereby the working classes may best be helped is by no means an easy task, but it is one of the highest which a moral and Christian community can set its heart upon.” Bismarck, in his speech of May 9, 1884, said: “I unhesitatingly recognise the rights of labour, and so long as I occupy this place I shall uphold them. In so doing I base my plea, not upon socialism, but upon the Prussian Landrecht.” Section 2 of Art. XIX of the second part of the Prussian Landrecht (February 5, 1794) reads as follows: “To such as have neither the means nor the opportunity of earning their own livelihood or that of their family, work shall be given, adapted to their strength and capacity.” Despite its general tone, it did not contemplate giving relief.