The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-12

81 Aess hctual, suffering upon the families Of
the workmen concerned therein. And
although the damage is not so apparent, it
necessarily follows that what Injuries the
workman results in loss to tie EMPLOYER. for
We hold that their interests are identical.
and not antagonistic, as some would have
us believe. Therefore, we repeat, we depre-
cate strikes, whether on the part of the Jour
neyman for an increase Of wages, or in the
shape Of ''lOek-out" by the EMPLOYER, to
effect q reduction.
There As something in the very sound Of
the word itself that stirs up the worst feel
lngs, and creates spirit of opposition
which is exceedingly hare 10 overcome.
Webster gives as one of the definitions Of
this word, "strike make an attack !"
Antony says of octavius-
"Hs at Phiippi kept
His sword cen like a dancer while struck
The lean and Nrinkled CAssias."
According to these definitions. to ssstrike''
is TO make war; aud who that has ever been
engaged in one will deny that it is a very
bitter species of warfare? While It does
not necessarily follow TINT literal wounds
are given and received, and that lives are
lost, Though both both these things have
happened during ''strikes ~ it is everthe-
exercised on either side to flank or circum-
vent the other.
Now, accepting the fact that it is making
war upon one another, the question arises
Should either party declare war until all
honorable means have been exhausted to
maintain peace? Certainly not. The law
of nations would not hold that government
guiltless that should disturb the peace of
the world by rushing into war without en-
deavoring to settle amicably any difficulty
which may have arisen between it and an
other. Nor should community hold that
party guiltiess that should inaugurate
"strike," without using all honorable means
to obtain redress in a peaceable manner.
War is great evil, even to the victors,
and the same is true of 'sstrIke." This
being admitted, let us endeavor to indicate
preventative of the evil.
We will take the jourDeyman's case fist :
A demand should never be made, either for
an advance or a reduction of the hours of
labor, until three rules shall have been com
Piled with. First, ascertain if the wi ges
paid are inadequate, or the hours of Labor
too many. Second, ascertain as nearly as
possible, if it is within the power Of the EN-
ployer to pay the one or lessen the Other,-
for it il not always to be taken for granted
that this is the case. Third, should these
inquiries lead to the conclusion that it is
necessary or Just to require increase in COM
pensatlon, or decrease in hours of labor,
state the facts In courteous and respectful
manner to the employers, and invite con-
ference with them, so that all who are inter-
ested may hear the arguments pro and con.
If this were done in a prope- spirit, we do
not think any class of emplo ers would re-
fuse to become party to suci conference.
In cases where conferences are held, each
party should be careful not TO be too tena-
cious Of its own particular views, but should
recollect that it is mans nature TO be WELD
ing or obstinate according to the spirit in
which he is approached and should bear in
mind that it is unreasonable to expect (es-
pecially in a country of free institutionsl
that either class can control the other wholly
for its benefit.
Let us add few words to employers
When, in your opinion, it is necessary to
make changes, either il prices or anything
else, do not endeavor to accomplish the.ob-
ject, as has been too often attempted, by
srringing the matter suddenly upon the
lourneyman, with the assurance that if the
reduction is not immediately acceded TO, OF
your views are not complied, their situa-
tons will be instantly filed by parties who
have been procured for such Al emergency
This course will sometimes, win but it will
oftener fail. There is an innate pride in
man, which, when once aroused, will lead
him to endure almost any sacrifice rather
than subr Il to a real or fancied wrong.
Rather appeal to the good sense of the men,
and endeayor to proce that your position is
right.
When such means of averting strikes are
rejected, through pride or obstinacy, the re-
suits often prove injurious to employers, by
leading to the establishment of what are
called cooperative associations, the ulti-
mate results Of which are injurious to the
trade at large; since to- sustain themselves,
they are compelled to throw their goods on
the market at rates lower than those Of their
former employers; who, in turn, mast lower
their selling prices, and consequently be less
able to pay fair wages. On this point we
shall offer some more extended remarks in q
future iseue.
For several years a war was waged by the
employing hatters of New York against the
cooperative bat company-an association
brought into existence by strike. This
contest resulted in a serious injuly to the
trade at large, and led 10 the bankruptcy Of
some of the leading hatters Of that city.
The recent "lock, OUT BY the "National As
ISOLATION or Iron Founders" Immediately in
Gared the jOurneymen stove-moulders in
itiate NOV ments for AGO operative foundry.
The ground has been Purchased, and over
$4,000 have already been subscribed. The
alters Of Yonkers, n. Y, for a similar
cause, have raised about 900 TO start a
hat factory. The morocco dressers Of this
city are taking similar steps, from the same
cause. The printers Of Boston, Detroit and
Richmond are fighting the Associated Press
by publishing newspapers which are the
children of STRIKES" 1t is not foo much
to say that all these difficulties could have
been avoided had the parties shown mutu-
al disposition TO compromise.
We sincerely hope that when any ques-
tions hereafter arise between employers and
employees in our business, they viii set an
example to other trades, BY settling all dis
puted points by reason and argument rather
than by ssstrikes'' or s'lock-n ."-P Print
er'S Circular.
I'VE publish the above because we think
there is deal Of common sense and sonnd
argument in many Of the suggestions, though
we dissent in toto from the position taken
that the establishment Of operative socie-
ties result in serious injury to all classes Of
tha non,munifv Our views I'm this matter