New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-18
THE LECTURE PLATFORM.
MISS DICKINSON ON THE LABOR PROBLEM.


SOME OF THE THINGS WHICH woBKINGMEN MAY
HOPE F0R-THE RELATIONS OF LABOR 10
CAPITAL AND soCIETY-THE LABORER'S DUTY
TO HIMSELF.
1t was more in the spirit of reconciliation
and kindness than an interpreter Of the abstfuse
questions of political economy that Miss Anna f. Dick
nson appeared before the large audience which gathered
In steinway Hail last evening. She came, as she
always comes as the representative of that class
OF labor which ennobes itself rather than en-
vles the good fortune which has come to others
through their own individual exertions. Her manner
was as sehpossessed and her clear, ringing voice as
eloquent Deemng it impossible to AVOID giving
onse she expressed her views earlessy and with the
spirit OF that class of champions
who present themselves all such occasions, and, by
publicly challenging debate generally succeed in de-
stOying the sequence of lecture, met with proper
rebuke from the lecturer without in the least deo-
posing the speaker or nterruptng the train OF argument
Many workingmen ihave asserted she said in the
course Of her remarks. that American is equal TO
two Europeans and II true, IL both began with
equal Advantages experience and hard sense. 1t is
only natural that American taught by the very
fdence which puts the ballot into has hand to believe in
his capabilities for greatness and power should be more
capable than others uninspired by hope and in the
enjoyment Of little civil liberty. To be thoroughly
American is in ways to be in advance Of the age
vet the mechanics Of this country instead of American
izc their systems of labor threaten open warfare
against capital after the OF their less thoughtful
and less energetic brethren in England. Tho class or
work turned out by the mechanics of this country does
not as whole compare favoraby with that Of the old
world The chief reason is found In tho fact
that tho trades far dictate the num-
Der of years TO be served as apprenticeship
that good wormen nowadays rather the growth of
genius than OF experience. Did we, as nation. only
have to compete with ourselves all would be WELL but
there arrayed against labor In this as In all countries
the trade and commercial contest Of the world II is the
quality much more than the price Which hampers the
American mechanic. The reasons that tho most
critical buyers in the world are found in America. In
fact more SO than mechanics when they deal
With their tradesmen.
Are the mechanics themselves trying to supply the
best qualities No As natural consequence the best
buyers go abroad where their tastes be satisfied
Europe now catering to the American trade and ex
erting all her energies 70 satisfy the American
market. In this particular the Continent has for
ever distanced England. One hundred years ago
there were polytechnic schools ON the
Continent; now there are many. AS @ result, while
England in 1852 exceed of the exhibitors at
the Worlds Far, in 1869 England was beaten by an
equal number OF competitors. These results are due
mainly to the workmen themselves individually, and
to the feuds which they have made for
themselves between labor and capital In
Pennsylvania, her natiYe state, the most
ployers manifestng itself Iron costs no more in the
earth than it did years ago. yet 1t costs, when in the
market than twice as much The increase Is que
to the advance in tho laborers wages Iron ia worth
more IN the mine England than in this country yet
the miner there receives on an average II 49, we ne
demands 50 10 per day in Pennsylvania. Is 1t strange
that 40 per cent of the iron brought from abroadi
Mechanics, as a body believe the success OF strikes
proves their supremacy and Independence All work In
marble, printing Hthographing, and engineering is
more economically and much better done abroad Is 1t
reasonable TO force the people OF nation to buy lnd-
ferent workmanship at home rather than 80 abroadf In
this fact there is no for rejoicing the echancs
more cause for shame.
Another result Of the cutting down OF the number Of
employees rendered necessary by the advance in wages
is the building up OF class interest on the part OF
employers. There has always been class interest
between the men, and there always viii be. But from
the nature Of all commercial business such union has
never existed DeJu0v- thA nrnpinrAra Tn commerce,
every man is the architect Of his own success.
Every other mans against him, and he depends
for his success failure upon bis own energy These
were dsagreeabe words to speak, and truth was always
disaereeable some, but the strikes OF last Summer,
known as the "Eghthour Movement" were actuated
nv an unmanly spirit and were based upon the fact that
the mechanic was cogniIant Of tho existence Of con-
tracts which, II he refused 20 work, his employer could
not fulfill
Tbis meant ruin and death to the empoy6, but the
mechanic did not any the more hesitate to srlke La
such spirit Is seen woeful lack Of courage, OF manli-
ness of personal professional honor which Is unwor
thy OF the American mechanic, schooed as he IN the
teachings Of liberty and Justice toward all mankind
The lecturer related instances OF the ruin which
the strike had brought upon two large contracors-one
in Lancaster, PENN and tho other In hew'Horh'
They were in both instances men who had risen
from the workbench; but the mechanics who dehber-
aey plotted their ruin did not choose TO remember this
Many pamphlets have been circulated under the name
OF "FEht.hour" tracts. but they all faii TO furnish
solution Of the imagined difficulties. Legislation VIII
not do away with the grievances. 1t Will not abolish
poverty disease, suffering. 1t is claimed that the
Government should furnish work for every idle man iii
the country This is manfesty wrong idea, as 1t de-
stroys tho Individuality Of mind
The old Empire Of France was ruined by such course
ts people being brought beieve that the Government
ney better how to provide for them than they did for
themselves Again, tho document sets forth that the
enpoyer must be required to increase tho wages Win
his profits This may be well enough, but 1t has twin
proposition, which Is that the wages shall be iowefed
with the decrease Ia profits and II the cooperative P
Is further pursued the be assessed pro rata upon
AT this point person IN the audience rose and after
the lecturer obtained permission 10 state
proposition He then advertised in detail MS capaDl
ties reparer OF watches ana h
manufacture of watches IN which ppon NE own see S
Dent he evidently heafd him 70 the
close and then said, in substance:
have allowed you TO PIT your question in detail
have much to with which 10 Is probable you
raw not be satisfied at present 10 Is who am putting
the questions; It is not who am answering them
[5reat applause ,,,,,
The next pamphlet she resumed. in all probability OPP
poses all grants Of actual settlers These grants
given away to the extent of millions OF acres, by the
legislators who elected by workingmen Yet these
saine mechanics the legislators and ask them 70
think much OF their interests than OF those OF
employer to give the property Of the latter into
The speaker did not believe that the work Of the world
could be done in eight heur or the 100000 working