Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1857-12-15

pen to be in the majority" we meant jus
what we said. We did not say or suppes,
tlfnt personal violence would be resortet
to. That is seldom necessary, in a vel
lorganised Labor Association. Nor die
we advise these men to go to work, in op
position to the will of the majority. w,
are an advocate for Labor associations, and
we have profound contempt for mem.
ber who refuses to abide by the decision
of the majority in regard to the Bill Of
Prices. We would rather suffer personal
violence than to be exposed to the taunts
and jeers Of our fellow -craftsmen-to be
called Rat; because that implies that
we have acted dishonorably. And that is
precisely what we meant by these men not
being permitted to go to work--they could
not do so without violating the rules of
the Association, and becoming what prin-
ters term Rats. p,r ..... .
2. Now we know that in all Labor As
sociations there are few restless spirits,
who are much more active than wise, and
it frequently happens that their unwise
counsels prevail with the majority. What
then? 1t is the duty of all members to
obey the will of the majority, until that
decision can be reversed in the regular
way; but it is also the duty as we'll as the
interest of members TO consider carefully
and we'll before acting upon the recon-
mendations OF these men. and when they
discover an error. try to convince their
comrades Of it, and reverse it at the next
meeting.
3. We hold the novel doctrine that the
interests of labor and capital are identical.
In other words that the laborer who con-
suits his employers interest, consults his
own. We think, also, that the laborer
should share with the capitalist in the
profits of the business. Let us explain.
Suppose times are prosperous, and our en-
ployer is realizing large profits, we hold it
to be his duty to pay liberal wages. But
suppose panic ensues, and our employer
finds that by continuing to employ his la
borers at the same wages, it would bring
loss and perhaps ruin to himself. is it not
for the best interests of all concerned that
we should suffer a temporary reduction of
our wages, rather than by perssting in our
demand, injure both ourself and employer?
Let us make practical application of
this rule. Here are 700 men who received
$2.25 per hundred bushels of coal. The
times were prosperous, and coal in demand.
Marketing, and every thing else was high.
Their contract ended at time when a
general panic prevailed throughout the
Prices of every thing decreased.
The coal market was fully supplied. Al
this time they were offered contracts at
reduced prices. They refused. After
time, they agreed to accept. But times
had grown worse, and a further reduction
was demanded. This last offer of $1.75
they rejected. They have now been idle
three months-one quarter of year. If
they succeed in getting all that the most
ultra among them demand, they will still
be losers by the strike at the end of the
year; whereas, had they accepted the first
d even the second proposition promptly,
At the present prices Of provisions they
would have saved more money than they
did last year, at the prices then paid. 1t
requires no great mathematical skill to
demonstrate that. Consequently, it is
evident that they have acted unwlsely--
And having acted unwsely, we would re-
'ea' the suggestion of last week, that they
meet together again, and review their ac-
ion calmly, and see if it is not for their
best interest to come to terms with their
Employers. We want them to make the
'ery best bargain they can-get the best
wages their employers can afford to give;
'ut go to work at some price. We urge
his for their own interests--not ours. 1t
will not injure us much if they never dig
no.her busbel; for out of the whole 700,
We do not believe there is one who ever
aid us dollar for the paper, or any kind
f printing. If there is, we do not now
emember it.
We know that by playing the dema-
ogue lttle-by inhaming the passions
these men-administering mock sym
athy' DC, we might make considerable
olitical capital out of this strike; but we
hould be doing them, their employers,
nd community serious injury; and we !
refer to suffer injury ourself, rather than
} injnre others for the sake of beneGting
urself.
P.s. Since the above was in type, we t
ave been informed that arrangements ]
ave been made, and the Miners have /
gain commenced work. Glad to hear it,
I'd hope that what we have written above :