In his speech "a second declaration of independence," labor leader ira steward argued that the most pressing problem facing the nation was select one: a. westward expansion b. railroad and transportation costs c. the growing gap between the rich and poor d. the rise of bonanza farming

Ira Steward believed the growing gap between the rich and poor was best addressed by giving good tools to hardworking people, by helping those who would help themselves. He was against any form of charity which he thought "promoted vice rather than rewarding virtue," that is, that work should be properly compensated (he was a union organizer) and those who did not work should be given as little as possible to avoid creating dependence on government assistance. He thought survival of the fittest was proper in an advanced society.