betterment. It also implied an attitude of aloofness from all those
movements which aspire to replace the wage system by cooperation,
whether voluntary or subsidized by government, whether greenbackism,
socialism, or anarchism.

Perhaps the most concise definition of this philosophy is to be found
in Strasser's testimony before the Senate Committee on Education and
Labor in 1883:

"_Q._ You are seeking to improve home matters first?

"_A._ Yes, sir, I look first to the trade I represent; I look first
to cigars, to the interests of men who employ me to represent their
interest.

"_Chairman_: I was only asking you in regard to your ultimate ends.

"_Witness_: We have no ultimate ends. We are going on from day to
day. We are fighting only for immediate objects--objects that can
be realized in a few years.

"By Mr. Call: _Q._ You want something better to eat and to wear,
and better houses to live in?

"_A._ Yes, we want to dress better and to live better, and become
better citizens generally.

"_The Chairman_: I see that you are a little sensitive lest it
should be thought that you are a mere theoriser, I do not look upon
you in that light at all.