The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-08-01


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snly hops for ~ failure lIss IN she advent
Of that time when labor, iatsliigeht and dis
enshrallsd, shall occupy lie true pssltion,
and with justice IS its guide, control the
destiny and iegislation Of onr countsy.
A. SENSIBLE RECON- MENDATTOE.
fThs Recommendation contained In the ad-
diess OF VIM. II. Sylvis, before the Iron
Mo1lder's International Union, that the res
olution "depriying members who may be
acting 10 the capacity Of foremen Or en-
ployers Of the right to serve In any eonven-
ton or session Of the !. n. 7. u" be repeal
ed, is just what we should have, expected
from his enlightened Judgment. We believe
that the union or organisation making snch
Discrimination, by taking it, Is II were, for
granted, that the foreman can have no in
terest in common with the iourneym :
shows q lamentable lack Of Judgment and
common sense. IT., adoption Of such
policy, instead Of proving benefit, is a.
most certain to produce contrary effect.
SO lopg a. the foreman II placed on an
equality with the mcn. be feels their rights
to be his rights, and their interests to be
his interests, and in nine cases ont Of ten
his sympathy and association will make him
the guardian Of their rights in a hundred in
stances where they themselves can have no
influence, and Of which they have no know
ledge. But the moment the line Of de-
narration is drawn, and he feels that he
is looked upon with suspicion, as an enemy
or an alien, he is practically forced into
associations with the employer, to whom,
had q more enlightened policy been pur-
sued, he would have remained a stranger.
This argument may seem to be a fetched
one, but were we required to do so, We
could cite score Of instances TO prove the
truth Of our assertion. II the fact that in
telligeuce and superior workmauship--the
qualifications for which foreman is gene
rally selected-places man in antagonism
to his fellow -craftsman-and that is the vir-
tual acknowledgement OF the legislation re-
ferred to-the sooner our trades unions are
swept out Of existence the better.
Again, let US look for moment, at the
fruits of such action in the case Of strike.
How many difficulties have occurred in
which the influence Of the foreman has de-
cided the contest in favor of the employer.
"Ab," says . carper, "that is the best argu-
ment you could use in favor Of our position"
Not at all, friend, it was your action which pro.
dueed the results. If You had pursued just,
not to say liberal policy, no such misfortune
would have occurred and the reason is OBJ
vious. The foreman is generally acquainted
with the capacity and qualifications Of every
mechanic in the establishment the amount
II work on hand; when promised, &c, &c.
Nov & the workman derives the advantages
Of such knowledge, together with the infla-
ence a foreman's opinions will exert, the
battle is more than half won; but if, on the
contrary, the employer derives the benefit,
the result is easily foreseen. Moreover,
when a strike becomes the last resort, a
foreman, excluded under such circumstances,
seldom or ever feels under any obligation to
espouse the cause of the men, to his oun
disadvantage, and consequently his presence
in the shop, generally affords some plaus-
bility to the first craven, who is willing to
sell his manhood for a mess OF pottage. And
every man acquainted With the history OF
strikes knows that the grea point to be
gained is, TO prevent any men FROM going to
work until an amicable arrangement Is ef-
fected.
We might continue this subject to almost
any length, but we forbear. We trust we
have said enough to convince all organiza-
tIon that so long as they continue the suici-
dial policy referred to, they can never accom-
plish the objects for which they profess, al
least, to contend.