New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-05-15
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
A WORKINGMANS VIEW OF LABOR kEfohM'
To the Editor OF The TrfbuHe' >.

SIR: I do not propose to discuss the merits
either OF the Labor Unions, representing
| ments OF industry, Of the LABOR hcioin iai'', 10
cause do not believe that either the LABOR OF 'ho
Labor Reform Party Of to-day are hu'oo"uns ,no pi
cplea that are necessary for true reform OF the aoor
o., o,osscs NV purpose Is call the attention OF tho
vortnrmen individually 10 their depressed condition,
and II possible state why 1t Is So and the remedy Tor
a. Lot u.s. in the first place bring before our minds some
tho speeches and conversations OF these Labor Reform
in, ,,oteal asprants and their followers among the
laboring classes The politician Of the Reform persua-
sion gets on the stump and says "Down with the mo-
nopoles rich growing richer and the are
growing poorer the people taxed to death to support
oflcoholders, monopOlists and bloated bondhoders,
and uses such other passionate expressions he can
command And to take his word for It, would think
that the panacea for all the adverses Of the working
classes was in elevatng them to Office. Suppose now
that we admit that there Is truth in what such
agtators" say does II necessarily follow that the Cap
itaist the Manufacturer, and the Monopost are the
only enemies of the abong classes and the CHIEF cause
OF the limited circumstances OF the massesf think not
And my conclusion is arrived at by my connection with
the laboring classes and the knowledge have gained
from experience Among the men that are within the
ranks OF the aborng classes who ndorse the oneded
assertions OF these political aspirans.
and indulge In the most frequent and loud talk upon
this subject will be found those who never paid cent OF
direct their ves and the absence of whose bank
account or any other tangible evidence Of industry or
economy on their part be traced to their excessive
indulgence-to intemperance and It's hndred VICES
Therefore believe warranted In asserting that
the workngmen class put more obstacles In thelr
own path and treat themselves than the capitalist
and manufacturer do do; consequently hey are
their worst enemies It Is not uncommon to see men In
their declining years still working at the trade that they
commenced life withwhOse position Is still subordi-
nate one and whose pccuniary resources are as limited
as when they 81 years old. have made 1t point
whenever convenient opportunity presented ltsgu 70
engage In conversation with TINS class Oh men WIN
view TO CLEAN such of their history as VIII throw gt Oh
the causes Of their present r & anI n Se u
various, hut the most common one Is incompetence;
Some. although not excessively Incorporate, are
not economical Some who had been industrious and
economical had worked hard and saved their money
ing home, invested in business without having the
requisite knowledge of business to insure success con,
were invariably bust" have yet to find one OF this
class who put the whole blame upon the capitalist ana
manufacturer Among other causes Is prevalent ten
dency with iOurneymen 70 tramp from place TO place,
and never settle down anywhere Az the end OF 70 yes
OF toll they have nothing tangible to help themselves
with in their declining years suicide sometime pun an
end TO Their careGr so ne mir ' hoSrd and few Old
What is the remedy for this state of afars Will the
Labor Unions and the Labor Reform party enect crol
The success of oliceseekers vii not remedy ~ Low
taxes will not remedy it. Neither Will the crushing Oh
monoplies remedy T. The only remedy Is %o reG had
habit that depresses his circumstances must exert hora
courage enough 10 stop the indulgence OF that haDlt
and the reason they do not habit or
habits absorb part of their earnings Perhaps the
dugences may trng, but If they should Keep an
accurate account Of the money thus spent Tor one ya
would have difficulty IN determining the reason why
they do not get along in the world iSeg men r"n
The very moment that they find themselves entirely de,
pendent upon their own eNertons support tey should
adopt manly principles, resolve TO be temperate honest,
Industrious and economical They should am at some
efforts ana success VIII surely reward them. When
man leads an aimess me- ana les things go as Iiey
WILL without any forcthoueh ana learning niue Dye A
pereuce It Is not very strange that he grows poorer;
Will, who aims and strives AT something, VINO mas
aspirations aud ambitions, and who profits by expert
This is free country. ANY man Is at liberty to hon
cstv satisfy his ambition whether IL be fortune OF fame;
and IL my opinion that Of the greatest reasons why
account OF the seadlast, ambitious life of the few and
the amess lie Of the many There are OF course other
acquire wealth and fame. There my DE eases %nepe
lens IS per cent OF wokngncn mi ght acquire homes
of their own. seem 10 be more troubled about
the money That is in other mems pockets than they are
about thcr own finances. They seem to be indignant
because their employer can I'VE IN arTe am n t me-
| man as he is TO-DAY, Perhaps If they had seen him
,Sy wSGd not feel 80 Indignant why Should they
ahue him his success in lief The circumstances OF
brought about the change! 1t is altogether probable
that II is owing 20 the din rent course OF NE pursued ny
each. Tie successful acted upon economical plncl-
pes, ana saved the proceeds OF ms carry to, selueu
qgTn cary n T ~ o e amon rI he Is now We'll pro-
ydci The unsuccessful ones undoubtedly pursued
| a d,1,rcut COURSE They could not be induced TO
| settlc down in their early life, the town that
they happened 70 live in not being suitable Tor sncn
pu,uO-e; 50 they moved to other place with the
same result and for 20 years. and they have not
settled YET, and probably never VIII. me more man
travels II this way the he is tempted by vices, and
te lees Liable he resist, and so II has almost become
uroycriaI that habitual tramp Is hard nut" III
is desirable for the working classes to live In larger
honsrs and in luxury they must save the proceeds
OF their labor forming tee habit in early manhOOd for
ii they spend their money that which viii make them
neither happier better, the money that thus slips
through their fingers will finally find lodging In the
vault, already wealthy person, 10 he used 10
make the dir s greater between the capitalist
| and tho workngHan
| Lei y),Ig men rs well old especially think OF this,
ana remember that There is tide Ia the affairs OF men
which, taken at lie flood, leads fortune" G. L. d.
| IoC nd Ma lis