The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-06-02

The ORGANIZATION OF TRApEsMES's AssocIA-
TIoSs.-The movement which has been going on
among the tradesmen of various branches, in this
city, Tor The last three four months, is Of con-
siderable importance 10 themselves, and, if proper
ly directed, its continuance cannot bui lead 20 IA
vorable results. But, from present Appearances, a
root Of evil-an apple Of discordis likely to BE- cast
into their midst in the shape Of socialism, as it is
called, though the phenomena which distinguish
il would seem to bespeak for it any other name than
that
The trades meetings were hrst called because the
operatives were convinced that the wages they were
receiving for their labor were not an adequate re-
Enumeration for services rendered. They therefore
met together; and after consulting with each other,
formed themselves into societies, and adopted such
rules as the exigency of the case seemed 10 de-
mand. For the most part, the declarations, or pre-
ambles, TO the constitutions adopted by the
ce,ies, were couched-in terms Of the greatest
spect towards their employers the sensible crafts
men well knowing, and acknowledging, that their
own welfare was concomitant with that of the mas
ter iradesmen. They therefore did not demand an
extravaganza advance of wages, resolve upon
any unreasonable coercive measures TO gain their
desired ends. The societies were, for the most
part, protective and beneficial associations, or, in
other words, mutual insurance companies, the con
diions Of membership being, after certain required
qualifications, the payment Of certain res )eciable
subscription, on entering the dame Of the subscrib-
er, and the further payment OF small perioi
ically. The me mher, having thus performed his
part Of the contract, the compiny, or society,
agreed TO insure to him sufficient to save him
from want in case he should lack employment in
consequence Of demanding the standard WAGES.
Thus things were progressing very smooth y,
when some Of the Foureriic orators iatrudcd upon
their platforms, and began to exercise their bale
FIJI influence. In some Of the societies, these mis-
chief making, work-haiing philosophers, succeed
ed IN making the honest aftzsns believe that; they
had been horribly wronged, and were hike TO be
more horribly outraged in the fdture. The r.
formers If society were smooih-icngued ma
rogues, who had learned TO decla.m gbly against
the abuses Of society-who had carefully c0an-d
some subtle, sophistcal, Arguments; and who, per-
haps, with a narrow-inadsdne Iecli,sr % men Of
n mi-topc education. really believed that the
working men were wTonged by ihrir employers.
because they made profit ON their labor. That
"a li,ile learning is dangerous thing" was the
opinion cf many Of the mechanics who thrasl the
rclomors from their midst. Their good sense
taught them that the doctrines advanced by the
Fourcd,cs were false, o';hou gh their speakers
were not able to COPE with them In their sophisf-
cal arguments. The course, therefore. pursued by
ono uttociation--the hricklsyers anl plas'ercrs,
was to deny to the orator OF the reform school a
place upon their pls tfom, where he attempted to
spesk.
The plan proposed by the rer,rmcrs l., ihai inn
mense shops. and huge magazines f5r the sale Of
wares, be established, and that Ihe wof,mcn have
an interest in these concerns, and draw their rcinu-
ncranon from the treasury OF The ~siitoiion, la
stead Of working for single employers, az ~ pre-
sent. II seems a needless task 10 e1p'ni argu-
ment for the purpose Of showing the hlz'fd Of
this proposed plan. II would DESTROY a. good
effects individual ENTERPRISE. competition ia irle
and emulation in the mcohanic aus. aud would,
in short, prevent the improvements which mark,
day hy day. the progress Of thcsc arts. Bat there
is nothing to fear. Our mechanics possess too
much good sense to be c,jolcd ia any such tom
footn--they know their own Interest too wen
They wan, to improve their condition; hut they
know better than to make fools of themselves in
accomplishing this object