Seventeen Talks on the Banking Question: Between Uncle Sam and Mr. Farmer, Mr. Banker, Mr. Lawyer, Mr. Laboringman, Mr. Merchant, Mr. ManufacturerFowler, Charles N. (Charles Newell)
History
Seventeen Talks on the Banking Question: Between Uncle Sam and Mr. Farmer, Mr. Banker, Mr. Lawyer, Mr. Laboringman, Mr. Merchant, Mr. Manufacturer
Fowler, Charles N. (Charles Newell)
Banks and banking -- United States; Currency question -- United States
MR. FARMER: Yes, I have caught on. There may be a very great
difference between wealth and property, although we are in the
habit of using these two words without any reference to the special
meaning that really attaches to them. In our conversation we use them
indiscriminately, and I don't know as that makes any difference; but
for our purposes, that is, for the purposes of these discussions,
I think it is very important that we should know the difference;
because something may arise that will compel a recognition of the real
difference between these two words.
MR. BANKER: I was just going to remark that the very difference between
these two words suggests one of the other words we have agreed to
consider tonight, and that is the word "capital"; for capital is a form
of wealth, although all wealth is not capital.
Wealth, as we have seen, consists:
(1) Of material things, such as houses, land, etc.;
(2) Of productive power, called labor, etc.;
(3) Of rights, such as checks, notes, bonds, etc.
The owner of these things may use some of them for his convenience. He
may so use some of them as to produce a profit. Now, when anything is
traded with, or so used as to produce a profit, or as we often say
used productively, it is called capital.
Stephens defines capital thus: "Capital, the source whence any profit
or revenue flows."
So Senior says: "Economists are agreed that _whatever_ gives a profit
is properly called _capital_."
Again M.D. Fontenay says: "Wherever there is a _revenue_, you perceive
_capital_."
MacLeod says: "Capital is an economic quantity used for the purpose of
profit." I would suggest that we say _Capital is anything used for the
purpose of profit_.
MacLeod uses this language also: "If a person has a sum of money, he
may expend it on his household requirements; or in gratifying his
personal taste by buying books, or statues, or pictures, etc. Money
spent in this way is not _capital_.
"But if he buys goods of any sort for the purpose of selling them again
with a _profit_: Then the money so employed is '_capital_,' and the
goods so purchased are also _capital_, because they are intended to be
sold with a '_profit_.'
"So money let out at interest is _capital_.
"In a similar way any material thing may be used as capital. If a
landlord lets out his land for the purpose of profit, it is capital.
"All modern economists class personal skill, ability, energy and
character, as wealth, because persons can make a profit by their use.
Hence they may be used as capital, as well as material objects.
"If a man digs in his garden for his own amusement such labor is not
capital; or if he sings or acts or gives gratuitous lectures on any
subject to his friends, such labor is not capital.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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