The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-06-22
COMBINATIONS.

There are but few acts indeed Of which
we can form an idea, emanating from the
upstart aristocracy of this country, which
could astonish us, except the exercise of
liberal feelings towards the working classes
and such line of conduct as would exhibit
a due respect for their rights. As it is, pride
and avarice seem TO be the order of the day:
and it would appear that nothing can salts
fy the desires of the votaries of wealth, but
to reduce the laboring man to a state of
complete serviity, to minister to their in
satiate thirst for gold. A new era has ar
rived in the history of our repubic-Let 1t
be recorded in the archives of infamv-that,
in the year one thousand eight hundred
aud thirty-six, in the city of New York, the
great commercial emporium of nation
boasting of its republican institutions and
equal laws, a number of free citizens were
arranged at the bar of Judicial tribunal,
tried, condemned, aud sentenced-and for
what enormous crimel For murderl No
For arson No-For robbery or theft ! No
For what thenl For peaceably assem-
bling, and resolving among themselves,
that they would not sell their labor unless
at certain price Such is the act for which
free citizens have been arrested, tried as
the veriest culprits, and mulcted in heavy
fines Such Is the act which New York
laws, and a New Y ork court, have constru-
ed into crime, and for whcl, heavy penal
ties have been awarded and paid. Hence
forth, let it be remembered, that, if such
decision remain as the law of the land, the
laboring man must toll for those who please
TO employ him, at the rates which they may
think proper to establish; and to demand
an advance, or even to murmur at the In
competency of his wages, is crime COM
mllted By the poor man against the law,
though his dependent family famish for
want of bread. This is decision which
the proud, naughty, and mcrciless aristocrat
has long wished to obtain but never, till
now, has he found a court and jury suffi-
cientIy hardy to render it. Thus far, he
has carried his point, and having commen-
ced the work, he will not stop his career.
ill he shall have reduced the workman of
our country to a state of absolute pauper-
ism, unless checked in his iniquitous course
by the men he thus endeavors to oppress.
They have the power to redress their wrongs
at the ballot box. Let them do it, or pre-
pare themselves to wear the fetters their
would-be masters have forged for them;
and that without murmur.
Combinations Yes combinations ofthe
workingmen to set price on their labor,
is unlawful. What are services of a physi-
cianl Are they not his Iabor1 And are not
others their employers Is not an association
of doctorsa sort of a Trades Unionl Yet such
associations exist in all parts of our country,
and, by means of combinations, affix prices
to their labors-prices of an exorbtant
character too--which those who employ
them must pay. -
Lawyers too, by combination, establish
bar rules; and by determining on the
amount of fees, prescribe rates which their
employers must pay, and by prescribing
also who may, and who may not be admit
ted to practice, claim and exercise the pow
or to limit their number in such a manner
as to sabserve their own personal interests;
and in measure, control the ministration
Of the laws.
Not only these, but every class Of men in
trade, all master mechanics, and, in short,
all persons who have any thing 10 sell, or
Who employ others in their service, would
seem to have the right to enter into comb-
nations-at least most of them do so, and
6x their own prices at pleasure. Employ
ers may and do combine to establish, rates
of wages for those who perform their labor
and this is no conspiracy-uo crime.-But
the poor laborer who knows the conpensa-
ton thus proffcred to be incompetent, must
not consult his fellow laborer, must not
form combination to obtain more, must
not complain; lest he be dragged before a
court on criminal charge, and there con-
dcmned and punished for having dared to
question the immaculate justice, and aLso-
lutte supremacy, of his heariless employer;
while physicians, lawyers, &c. may lawful
~ combine to sponge as much money out
of peoples, pockets as they please.
Remember we are not speaking of trans
actions under the government of a mon
archicnl despot. We speak net of things
that have happened in Russia, where the
peasant is the property Of bis lord, and
lord and peasant the property of the En-
peror, who is accountable only to himself
Move are speaking Of things in gour own
conniry-A country IN which the laws pro-
iess to know no distinction between man aud
man where all are said to be equal. AHd
yet, even IN that country. II would seem