New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-08-06
Iabor Observation-Disclosures.

The attention Of the Workers for Wages
in our City is now very generally drawn to
the great problem Of the Recompense of
Labor, with the thousand incidental and
related questions. Men who never gave a
dollar nor an hour to the cause of Labor
Reform can talk on it as vehemently and
volubly, if not as proftably, as any, and we
suspect secure rather more vociferous ap-
plause. Before an excited and sympathis-
ing crowd, we believe man might make
a pretty acceptable speech out Of a few
popular sentences, such as aristocrats,'
'rag barons,' grinding the face of the
poor sweat and blood Of the working
man. &c. &c. without having developed q
single fruitful or practical idea. Many of
the blood and thunder speeches made at
the Tailors', Shoemakers' and other Jour
neymen's meetings in our City would seem
only calculated to drive away sober, dis
Greet workers in disgust, and excite the
deadliest hostility of the more fortunate
classes. Some Of the measures resOrted to
on the pretext OF striking for the Rights Of
the Masses are clearly and signally calcu.
lated to sink the Needy into deeper and still
deeper destitution. In this category we in
clude all attempts to intimidate or by vio-
lence prevent men from working where and
as they see fit. Strikes or Combinations
not to work for less than specified rate
may sometimes be necessary, but they are
the last dire resort, and three times in four
create more evil than they cure. A scale of
prices 80 established is stone rolled up a
mountain ; the first jar sends it headlong
down again. If all the Trades in New-York
could fix their own prices to-day, leaving
our systems of Labor, Wages and Trade
essentially as now a very few months
would serve to sap and subvert the whole.
There is no rational hope Of permanently
improved condition Of the Laboring Class
except through the exercise of unusual fore
cast, frugality, diligence and mutual coaf-
dence on their own part Tor that of great
portion Of their number) resulting in their
elevation out Of the thraldom of the Wages
System. So long as that system shall exist
it must produce essentially the results now
30 loudly, and we think so justly, repre-.
hended. Unless the Laborers can combine
to work for themselves, their combinations
not to work for employers, save on their
own terms, will exert no enduring inhu.
ence.
We give in this paper a synopsis of
discussion at Carpenters Meeting in Phil
adelphia, wherein the general subject of La
Dor Reform was somewhat considered. Mr..
Campbell, the reporter, so evidently and
decidedly leans to the Radical side, that we
do not think he has fully presented the
strong points of Mr.. RusselPs argument, 50
We will make no comments on that, though
we cannot Of course concur in his view of
the subject. But Mr.. Power, the Radical
debater, is reported with due understanding
and appreciation, and we shall offer some
criticisms on his positions. lie lays his
foundation as follows:
"Rssolred, l. That the Laboring Man 10 entitled
to the full product Of bis own labor"
Very right that; but suppose the labor
ing man insists on being set to work and
paid weekly by an employer, while the pro-
ceeds Of his own labor may not be realized
for months, can he reasonably expect that
The employer is to supply capital, oversight
and management, take all the risks of
glutted market, depreciation Of tho product,
6res, storms, etc. for nothingf Does not
Mr.. Power see that bis proposition suggests
an Industrial System in which Hiring and