Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-04-04

LABOR AND CAPITAL-The reader will find
below a woll-considered article from the Gin
cinnati Gazette upon this theme, over which
demagogues no less than philanthropists and
political economists have puzzled their brains
for centuries past We transfer it to the Stars
columns as being rcpleto with just public spirit :
All the speculatons of political economists
have failed TO introduce or to preserve constant
harmony i'm the relations of capital and labor In
truth, II is no easy matter, in practice to balance
the scales of justice very exactly between the en-
ployer and the employed, or at least so that the
equilibrium will appear perfect to both parties
The conditions are constantly VARYING and wages
have to be occasionally readjusted, in the same
way as prices go up or down, in accordance with
the subtle, yet inevitable laws Of trade Forcible
interference with these natural laws or resistance
to them, in the one as in the other can result
In no substantial good. All tampering Of this
sort, and all outside attempts either by legislation
or special organization, to fix the wages Of labor
we hence regard as worse than futile Combina-
ions of capitalists Of laborers to force these re-
latlons out OF their natural course while they show
indeed, something wrong on the one side or the
other-some actual violation of the natural law
are not the best means to remedy the evil In
deed, we believe they will invariably be found to
afford, In the long run, no real antdote at all
1--WE do not doubt that there is commonly some
thing wrong on the part Of many Of EMPLOYERS Of
particular class OF workmen, when the latter
combine in general strike If the last instance
of this sort in our city Were fully examined into
as to its causes and circumstance we sbould nm
doubtedly find that it was not simply an act of
wanton discomfort, but that il was provoked bv
real evils. We may allude to one prevalent
practice among employers-not by any means
universal-which operates as hardship and an
injustice to the laborer. We refer to trade paY-
menfS. The cash standard should obviously he
adopted, in regulating the rates of COMPENSATION
for work. When thus fixed. let the payment be
made accordingly, that the laborer may use his
earnings to the best advantage, and according to
his own discretion. By the trade Arrangement
suspicion at least will be constantly excited in his
mind, that somehow there is profit derived by
the employer, on this traffic, which really comes
out OF the stipulated wages. The convenience Of
this method to the employer is obvious enough !;
but its Inconvenience and annoyance to the EN-.
Ployee is still more manifest. 1t is Just cause of
complaint, the removal of which would leave one
less ground Of discomfort between such parties
with the socialistic problem OF a general or
ganization OF labor we do not now intermeddle
III Is involved with the question of such an entire
remodeling OF society," as no ono now living is very
| likely ever to see. Partial guild; orpaniz,tions
and strikes, it is certain are an evil and mischief
In society. Ultimately, they benefit neither the
participants nor any one else. unless as every such
storm indirectly produces benefcient results The
relations between the two parties in this case
should always be of a cordial character Where
the right spirit prevails both sides there is no
danger OF any great in justice being done. Where
such a mutual confidence is NOT found violent
remedies Will be resOrted TO in vain By creating
antagOnistic sentiments and reciprocal distrust a
permanent injury is inflicted upon the less power
1ul party. for Which temporary increase of wages
will be found no adequate compensation
"Strikers should remember, too that the power
they usurP-both contrary to law and to natural
rght-over others of their guild who do not yolun-
tarly join them, is Of precisely the same nature as
that which is SO justly condemned when exercised
by despOts, who have nevertheless a show or ira
dHtord! authority. Those who would redress.
wrongs Of their own. should be careful to rcsnect
the laws and theindividual rights oftheir fellows"