64 THE UTOPIAN COMMUNIST
standards of existing society, Weitling expected it to vanish in
his new order. He denounced existing penal methods, the Ameri
can and British systems of judicial procedure, and the "Pennsyl
vania system" of dealing with prisoners. He advocated the choice
of judges by a panel form of election. In a properly ordered so
ciety he believed there would be no theft—indeed, its persistence
would be the best evidence that perfection in the social structure
had not yet been attained—and he insisted that, though offenders
might have to be quarantined, hospitalized, and in extremely rare
cases banished, they must never be punished.
Weitling was convinced that equality of labor and equal enjoy
ment of goods could not of themselves guarantee permanent hap
piness and indeed might lead to unbearable monotony; and he was
further certain that in the new society the subdivision of labor
would be so great and the hours of work so few that many would
find it possible and desirable to work at several jobs to escape bore
dom. He therefore sought a device which would avoid the blight
ing effects of the existing monetary system and at the same time
give the spirit of man an opportunity for self-expression and indi
vidual pleasure. Though the state might furnish recreation, educa
tion, and public festivals, he realized that there still would be many
who would be unhappy "if they cannot follow their own will and
desires." One might decide not to work on a certain day; another
would not be satisfied with the common furniture or dress goods;
and perhaps another would desire a gold watch, or food or drink
not available on the common menu. Weitling was keenly aware
of the necessity for preserving individual initiative, and he knew
that new desires would appear continually, as men reached a
higher state of evolution. As the workday became ever shorter,
the gratification of individual desires would become more impera
tive. Such considerations clearly posed the question, How could
the principle of equality be combined with the desire for personal
freedom and individual satisfaction? Perhaps when "love and con
cord" ruled the world that problem would resolve itself, but in
the meantime, it needed a scientific solution.
barré
(Barré)
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