Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-12-27
3 ONE WAY 10 PREVENT STRIKES.

81
Some years ago there appeared in the
GdIdTy, powerful novel by the great Eng
lish writer, Charles Reade, entitled "Put
Yourself In His Place." 1t was based
upon facts that transpired in Hills
borough, one of the great manufacturing
boroughs of England, and dealt with the
conflicts of the Trades Unions and Mas
tiers. Like many authors Mr.. Reade chose
that plan for placing before the English
people the great conflict between the en-
ployers and employees, between the capi-
tai and labor then existing in that wealthy
manufacturing nation. The facts as 80
graphically portrayed in that work made
a powerful impression upon the public
mind of England and at once provoked
legislation on the part of Parliament. The
conflict between capital and labor as there
portrayed exists to-day all over the world,
modified, of course, by local influences
and legislation. 1t is to-day the great
problem, demanding the attention of leg
islators as ii effects in its qualifications
every interest of society. The combine
tions of immense corporations and capital
on the one hand and the rapidly extend
ing Associations or Trades Unions of la
boring men on the other, only serve to in
tensify and complicate the difficulties to
be adjusted.
Without celebrating upon the causes and
nature of these troubles or discussing the
merits of the respective sides, we see
enough in the results already developed to
awaken apprehensions of q serious char
acter. The excuses of the Communists in
Paris, induced, to great extent, by civil
commotion, were indirectly the out-growth
of the conflict under consideration. The
corruptions of Government and the gener-
al decentralization flowing therefron al
ways affecting the laboring classes, which
oil l,ot ic hn haS 10 nf al
government and prosperity, multiplied the
causes for and exaggerated the evils of the
Commune, but the demonstration, robbed
of these eXtravagances, was one of labor
against capital. This conflict is trans
planted to our soil. 1t was but few
mornings ago that our dispatches an
nounced the demonstration of the Inter
nationals in New York, and of the fra
ternizing with them of several leading la
Dor associations. In the great mining dis
tricts of Pennsylvania, last summer, the
contest between the wealthy corporations
of the owners and shippers and the miners
assumed most alarming proportions and a
most serious character. In the larger
branches of manufacturing, the Organiza-
ton of the operatives on one part and the
combination of manufacturers on the 9th
er part is rapidly extending and perfecting
and the preparations for a for mid able
struggle maturing. "-..r-
These are the parties and the prepare
tons for the contest. How to reconcile the
interests and prevent the clash, is the prob
lem. Demands on the part of employers,
and strikes on the part of employees are
no uncommon events. IT is needless to in
uuire into the merits or to measure the
blame Each side has its own story and
from its standpoint its own merits. The
whole philosophy of the subject is EN- bod
led in the title of Charles Reade'snovel. Put
yourself in his place." we say to the en-
blower, and ask yourself what is your duty
and policy in dealing with your employee.
Surround yourself with wife and child
rem dependent uponyou forsupport; meas
ure the constant anxiety of the father
whose death or temporary disability brings
want to those he loves, and standing in his
place, acting upon his influences, and with
his lights and understanding, temper char
ity with your judgment and mercy with
your dealing. b.
'tP,a yourself in his placer we say to the
laboring man, and before you ask your as
sociates to combine with you in eXactiug
terms from your employer, see clearly that
he is 2CrOng in his demands, and that if
you We're in his place you would not do as
he does. The associations of working men
or combinations of employers to regulate
the terms of labor, if not temperately
managed, are likely TO charm. The clash
between the two classes always brings
more or less of suffering, as well when
springing from Misunderstanding as from
positive wrong on either side. Forbear-
ance should characterize the conduct of
both employers and employees, and arbi-
traton be always tried before resOrting to
strikes or a summary. discharge, of opera
tives. This spirit was set forth in the In
ternational Typographical Union, which
held its last annual session in Baltimore,
in June, and met with the unqualified en-
dorsement of that body, which
speaks volumes for its forethought
and intelligence. The employer and
employee have both interests TO
guard and defend, and before either pro-
coed to extremes they ought to study the
philosophy of Reade's character, DIR. Am
boyne, whose judgment was never rendr
ed in such cases until he had put himse
in the place of each party, considered the
subject from each standpoint, and then
with an impartial mind, judged calmly
and mercifully. His philosophy is worth
whole statute book of legislation, and
when applied in the proper spirit will,
nine times out of ten, solve the knotty
problem of "strikes" and relieve both
capital and labor of anxiety and misery.