Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-12-13
TIE MAN WHO TOLLS ;
By THE BLUFF TALLER.

1
Politics, or the art of getting into Office,
is thing of so chsngeable nature as to
! be forever an enemy to the progress Of
trade unions-a bsne instead of bless
ing, Under no circumstances should it
be admitted into the councils of men Or
ganized for the sole purpose of conduct
ing affairs pertaining to their craft.
Nothing but confusion would fellow in
its wake; and confusion is monster of
so many evil ways that it ultimately de-
stroys every circle wherein it enters
Who is insane enough to suppose that
| politics and religion can be mixed with
out injury like whisky and water ?-and
who is doubly insane to suppose that
| politics and business can go hand-in-
hand in playful manner like sstyrs and
sylvan boys? The fact of the matter is,
| the element of trade union must be
kept pure; if other elements are allowed
to mix with II, its beauty and harmony
will be impaired and its origi nal objects
obscured. Few indeed seem to under
stand the powerfulinhuence of trade
union, and fewer still seem to compre-
hend the strictness of its rules and Laws.
No society is more exactihg ip its forms
and no combination so completely en-
forces it's will, as far as it relates to it's
members. He who takes its obligation is
bound as with band of iron and he
who violates its laws may be doomed to
a life of the utmost wretchedness. II he
becomes an outlaw of the craft, he has
no friend within its sphere; he is Stunned
as a pestileuce and despised as q coward 4
no refuge is open for him in any town
where branch of the union exists; no
hope for him CLEANS in any spot where
the fraternity has power; ard he might
travel over nearly all the States without
the slightest chance of days work until
he repents for his folly and is again
received into the fold of good fellowship.
This even-hsnded Justice, necessary to
preserve unity and promote fair play,
inhiets punishment heavier in its
weight than the accommodation of a
church or the denunciation of social
circle: for man may placs himself in
opposition to the tenets of sacred
establishment, or break through the rules
of social society, and yet be left an
opportunity TO make good living in the
world; but when he rises 10 opposition
to the principles and practices of a trade
union he opens door for his own expul- |
sion, and may lose all opportunities of |
earning living at his peculiar call
ing-driven away, perhaps, unhonored, |
unpitied and unwept for by those |
who knew him best and would have |
helped him in poverty had be remained
faithful to his premise. The man who |
tolls and thinks will see at a glance the
absurdity Of introducing such loose ele-
ment as politics into such tight-bound
body as trade union. Itis as dangerous
as sitting on the top of Vesuvius or set
ting fire to hay-stack. Still it must
net be for moment imagined that q
trade union is dangerous thing in it
self, or that no coed results from it. To
view it 10 q narrow light is to close ones
eve to its scope and splendor. 1t is ben
efcial to those who have work done and
those who work; it strengthens the en-
ploye and it protects the employer; it ap-
holds the right Of the toiler to lay price
upon his own toll, and the right of the
capitalist to invest his own capital; it
regulates the relations between toler and
toiler, and directs equal justice toward
capitalist and capitalist. Is is strong
in its unity and remarkably fair in
its dealings, neither giving or taking
more than the laws or usages OF the craft
allow. Thus fair balance is preserved,
and that uncouth tyrant called monopoly
kept down. A trade union is SIS useful
to tradesman es merchants exchange
is to a merchant, or gossiping club to
ger, or debating society to pol
iticisu, or a bench-and-bsr brotherhood
to lawyer, or whisky association to
or caucus to a place.
hunter, or loyal league to q Radical;
besides, it is useful to ell parties in a
in equalizing the prices of
those articles which pass through the
toiler's hands. Tiuto cannot very well
undersell Soto in the wholesale or retail
boot trade while Stabin and Stabawl
for both houses at the same
rate of wages; nor can Winiup sell
coat any dearer than Tryon while
and Crookto cut and stitch for
their establishments st the same prices.
More than this: q city often hourishes
On the reputation Of is skilled toilers;
and wherever q trade union is fairly ,
conducted il encourages its members TO
become as perfect 10 their art as their
alents, circumstances and surroundings !
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