The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-30


on the memorable Gath Of september last happily
street or much deeper than the pockets Of The an
tagonistic bullsn and bears' OF the great moneyed
mart. Threatening 10 become irruption the
mischief which II might have occasioned 10 all
classes OF business TO the largest commercial enter
Drises, TO branch OF trade and to every grade
VI labor, did not reach the abonng classes at 81.
Like the recent earthquake IN New England, II was
local in It's character ana local IN It's extent From
Ibe iumultuous sea Of financial agitation not rip
Die disturbed the laboring interests Of the commu
nhy. 1t IL well that 1t was so. IL is wen that the
great basis upon which our commercial and national
prosperity rests, the stability Of labor and undis-
tnrbed CONDITION OF the aooring classes was not in
sne slightest degree shaken. The pleasing result is
that, looking upon the condition OF Inc labor
sng classes OF this city. instead OF stagnation
and paralysis, as would have been the had the
disaster OF failures in trade become general and In
stead OF the working interests becoming covered
with clouds and sifted with ashes as If some angry
yesuvius had exploded its contents over II and
poured hot lava tide over our workshops ana
various mechanical empoyments, there IL, ON the
contrary, about the same degree Of activity in all
classes of mechanical industry as has EXISTED all
al0ps. This is the season
when winter comes 10 rule the varied year,
vapors, and clouds and storms,
and when labor is apt TO be dull and the wants OF
me laDorng classes invariably increase as the cold
weather increases, and yet there has not been fall
season for many years looking, on the whole, more
cheerful holding out more Frightening prospects 10
the laboring classes.
There are at present no important strikes among
any class Of workmen. On every side new build
ings are going up, ana productions for the fall and
winter trade are in universal demand. There is
unwonted activity OF preparation Of holiday gifts,
and nowhere 40 misery and want preternaturally
obtrude themselves upon the attention and neither
- the eye shocked by encouuteriug palid faces,
pincbed cheeks, ustreess eyes and the outsrecDed,
sszacated hands OF the unemployed poor; and
neither is the painfully saued by feeble voices
IN startling and despairng tones begging bread. 1t
~ 10 be hoped that 1t may remain thus curing the
esming winter months; that antagonlsm may not
arise between capital and labor; that willing labor
ess win find plenty Of work. and that IN the pay they
receive that scriptural principle 'the laborer IS
worthy OF his hire" which should always
be the great governing principle OF
pboyment, may be wisely ana humanely de-
m0nsIraled. What is here written is IN general
terms. In some branches Of industry business is
dull, but this dulness, which Will be shown when
she distinctive branches OF trade is referred to- is
normal and usual at this season, tue result OF
planned We have been at some pains to ascertain
the present condition OF the different laboring
classes in city, the relation OF demand for labor
10 the supply the wages paid, the protective asso-
citations existing among them, the general views
regarding strikes ana IN fact everything Of interest
appertainlng 10 tn great army OF labor in the
metropolitan army embracing Iwo.tbrds OF the
hole popuaton-an army whose weapons OF
warfar in the battle Of life the sinews Of strong
arms and strong hearts, and coarse, hard and en-
Drowned hands, ana the victory they 10
achleye wardlng on want and priyatioBs ami co.
talnIng bread and shelter for themselves and wives
sno the greater army NJ little ones depending upon
SheIr labor Tor support.
LABOR ORGANIZATIONS.
There are al present 123 labor Organizations this
city Ii Is unnecessary 10 name them All. They emf
brace nearly every grade Of employ Most, OF
course have in their plans oil organlza-
lion the feature OF beneyoence-that Is, fund FOR
the sick and those otherwise disabled from work and
so bury deceased msmbers and to taSe OF their
WIDOWS and orphans, as well as TO insure uniform
lily OF prices for their labor Generally there TWO
fnDds-one strictly benevolent fund, to meet the |
expenses OF che burial OF deceased members aud care
Of the SICK and disabled, and the other fund TO |
meet tue contingency OF strikes and suspension OF
labor. Although originated only few years ago |
the utility and importance OF these trades unions
heir associated protective and benevolent features
are becoming every day more apparent. The effect
thus lar has been 10 educate the elements composing
them TO more efficient and just concep-
lion OF the rights OF labor to themselves |
as well as 10 their employers. Another |
effect is that the employers begin 10 see |
where their true interests lay and are in conse-
gnence beginning arrogate less TO themselves the
exclusive right TO control the wealth producing
classes. Altogether, the present condition these
altogether all that could be desired The lists OF
members vary according TO the number Of workmen
employed In the distinctive branches Of labor but
nearly all have a fund corresponding TO their rela-
tive numerical strength and necessity. Again, a
more universal and stronger brotherhood OF labor IL
beginning 10 snow ITSELF They find taal It IL not
only by industry that they thrive, but that In
there Is strength The result Is that tue different
trades are becoming more disposed TO help one
another; IN fact, begin 70 regard this as one OF
their first and fundamental duties. IL is this brother
hood OF feeling ana concert oil acton that Is
making these organizations power in the land.
II is pleasant 10 know that tnus lar they have
been under good guidance, and that the elements
composing them, though OF such marked heero-
Geneous character, have been inclined their
power only 70 enfoTce the justice indisputaoy their
que. 1T 10 be ardently hoped that 1t Will continue
10; that nothing OF political or sectarian character
will ever enter into their organizations, and that
they VIII never allow the spirit OF mobocracy TO Oh
rain control IN their councils. The decorum, dig.
EIty ana uprgntness OF ann aud endeay0r charac-
terizlng the last National Labor Congress m THIS
Albany and the National Labor Union Convention AZ
Philadelphia give pleasant prophecy thar such viii
be tneir course and history in the future.
STRIKES AND THE EIGHT HOUR LAW.
We shall write general paragraph on the subject
OF strikes although IA writing oil the present con.
more specific as regards the particular trades
which, during the past year, have been on stnse.
One thing however, is clearly established fact,
and II may be preuicated Of ali the LABOR organiza-
tons In this city, and that IS that they are opposed
strikes except as 6eTnter resort 20 enforce their
rights. THIS proves that strikes expensive and
that they are risky, and unless there IL positive aud
undenable basis FOR strike they are universally
deprecated OF course, strikes inevitable al
uInes but past experience has shown that 1t Is best
NOT 20 enter on one aud take the certainty oil distress
that must follow TO families from their means of
support beng cut or and possibility OF failure IN the
emo without drst full assurance that wnaI they
claim IL just aud right and providing adequate
means 10 meet any coming emergency II II graitfy-
tng to be able 10 record that az the present ume
there IL no strike among our workngmen, and CON
seQQontly OF the distress resulting from hun
dreds walking about IN idleness or engaged ia tDat
hardest or all work, seeking work with but
faint hope OF hndIup Il that prevailed 10
such an extent last winter The present
Indications t1at we shall be spared IN TINS
respect abe repetition or last winters scenes. The
enforcement OF the eight hour nystem OF labor,
which alter the passage OF the act OF Congress
naming ina hours OF labor from ten to eight Gay
ia an tue yNrioos branches Of government employ
hi Ieu a II IL