They
form an important link in a series of private and public documents
that are slowly opening out a prospect of new economic methods, methods
conceived in the generous spirit of scientific work, that may yet arrest
the drift of our western civilization towards financial and commercial
squalor and the social collapse that must ensue inevitably on that.
In view of the composition of the Committee, the Majority Report is in
itself an amazing triumph of Sir Richmond's views; it is astonishing
that he was able to drive his opponents so far and then leave them there
securely advanced while he carried on the adherents he had altogether
won, including, of course, the labour representatives, to the further
altitudes of the Minority Report.
After the Summer recess the Majority Report was discussed and adopted.
Sir Richmond had shown signs of flagging energy in June, but he had
come back in September in a state of exceptional vigour; for a time
he completely dominated the Committee by the passionate force of his
convictions and the illuminating scorn he brought to bear on the various
subterfuges and weakening amendments by which the meaner interests
sought to save themselves in whole or in part from the common duty of
sacrifice. But toward the end he fell ill.
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