Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-12-22
one WAY TO PREVENT STRIKES.


Some years ago there appeared in the
GaIdJy, a powerful novel by thegreat Eng
lish writer, Charles Reade, entitled "Put
Yourself In His Place. It was based
upon facts that tTanspired in Hills
borough, one of the great manufacturing
boroughs of England, and dealt with the
conflicts of the Trades Unions and Mas
ters 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 capt.
tai and labor then existing in that wealthy
manufacturing nation. The facts as so
graphically portrayed in that work made
q 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, 10y local influences
and legislation. 1t is to-day the great
problem, demanding the attention of leg
isIators as it effects in its qualifications
every interest of society. The cOmbina-
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 serious char
acter. The excuses of the Communists in
Paris, induced, to a 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 therefrom, al
ways affecting the laboring classes, which,
after all that is said, are the basis of all
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. It 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-
tion 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 formidable
struggle maturing.
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's needless to in
quire 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 embod-
iedin thetitle of Charles Reade's nOvel. Put
yourself IN his place." we say to the en-
ployer, and ask yourself what is your duty
and policy in dealing with your employee.
Surround yourself with wife and child
rem dependent upon you for support; meas
ure the constant anxiety of the father
whose death or temporary disability brings
want to those believes, and standing in his
place, acting upon his influences, and with
his lights and understanding, temper char
jtv with your Judgment and mercy with
your dealing.
put yousc!f Ia his place. we say to the
laboring man, and before you ask your as
sociates to combine with you in eXacting
terms from your employer, see clearly that
he is lcrO1&g in his demands, and that if
gou were in lis 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 do harm. The clash
between the two classes always brings
more or less of suffering, as well when
Swinging from Misunderstanding as from
a positive wrong on either side. Forbear-
ance should characterize the conduct OF
both employers and employees, and arbi-
tration 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-
ceed to extremes they ought to study the
philosophy of Reade's character, DR.. AM