Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-11-17
LABOR AND CAPITAL.
The Relative Claims Of the AntagOnlz-
ing Classes-Is there no
RecoHeiling their Diff
ferences!
What the LabOriBg Men Of Memphis
Are. and What they have
hone in Times OF
Exigeney.

EDITORS APPEAL-Having seen in
YOUR paper, on several recent occasions,
notices Of 'strikes,n and the actions,
resolutions, etc, of the representatives
OF capital, causing said "strikes," i
have been waiting anXiously to hear
from YOU on the subject, feeling sure
that in YOU, we, the mechanics and Ia
bOrers, had a defender and champion
that would do us justice by yentilating
the smart practice and imposition that
the representatives of capital are about
to impose upon labor, by taking advan-
1age OF the present condition of affairs
with the wOrkiDg-men, caused by the
suspension of operations OF some Of the
manufacturing and mining eompa-
nies of the northern and eastern
states, thereby throwing many Operat-
ives out of employment, and surplus of
labor on the market, giving them (the
employers an opportunity TO force upon
Us a reduction Of ten or twenty per cent.
of our wages. But, much to my sur
prise, notice in your Sunday issue of
The ninth instant leader, if not taking
strong sides with the combinations and
rings against labor, utterly fail to see
where you say anything in our behalf
that will be of any benefit to US. You
elaborately show up the rights and pow
er of capital, but tersely state the privi-
ieges of labor. Are we arriving at
point in the progress of the republic that
smacks strongly of European oppres-
siOn2 Is capital aud its autOcratic rep
reseutatiees, from this time hencefOr-
ward, to control and rule labor
as it may suit their purpose, regard
less Of justice and fair compensation?
Is -apTTAr. To ENTIRELY IGNORE THE
RIGHTS OF THE LABORER,
and force him to work for just such
wages as its representatives may dictate,
ana prevent him the labOrer) from
forming any combination for mutual
protection, while the representatives Of
capital meet in convention, and pass
boldly strong resolutions, protecting
capital, and expressing fully their deter
minatiOn to fix the rates Of wages that
labOrers shall work for, regardless OF fair
compensation, OF a sufficiency to keep
the laborer from the pitiless sting OF
want, and they, in strong language,
while in convention, deprecate any ac-
ton that labor may take to prevent this
oppression, stating that labor shall take
what they offer, and starve by inches,
OF refuse their offer, and starve
outright; and, if we combine
to prevent any of our fellow
laborers from doing US and themselves
the Injustice to submit to being Oppress-
ed, wTonged and tyrannized over any
more than we now are, we are threaten
cd with the vengeance Of the cOmbina-
ton Of the representatives Of the capital
ring. The laborer is to be under a ban,
il he resists their edicts; he is to be like
an enlisted sold'c-. or more like q peni-
HI al NFrlFnf d
lished by a full descriptive roll, to be
sent TO all the employers and superin-
teDdents of stock companies, and by
their edicts prevent him from obtaining
work to support himself and family,
forcing starvation upon him and those
who may be dependent on him. When
laws are made TO crush the weak, anC
lend the strong assistance, the duty o
those who are oppressed is firm anC
strong resistance. What has caused thi'
EXTRAORDINARY STEP
that capital has taken? Has il beeI
imposed upon by labor? If so, let j
state its grievance. Tell us plainly how
we have sinned, and we will cheerfully
make any and every amend that lay:
in our power. We are certainly not be
coming their rivals in wealth and opu
most economy with our now small pay
to make both ends meet each week an'
month. and il any accident or sickness
occurs. we are sure to get in debt. VIII
does capital fret and foam, and use s.
much strategy to reduce our small pit
tance Of pay lower than il Is now? Isl
not .heaping up riches fast enough
or does il feel that We, who al
making their wealth and position 70
them, are not worthy of the humbl
shelter and coarse living that we ar
now permitted to enjoy. What Is ID
cause? Have they reduced our expense
ten or twenty per cent? III they nave
there is some excuse for their effort I
reduce our wages correspondingly. Boot
and shoes, house rent, doctors bills
medicines, and taxes are just as hlg
now as ever. Have their expenses in
creased? If 80, how? Raw material
fully as low now a. il has been for years
and labor is cheaper now than a fe'
years back. Is there too much manUfaC
tured stock on hand for the demand
II so, lessen the amount of their Pre-
ducts by working on short time, but pa
us for the number of hours we work {
the present rate per day. Do NJ
be so unjust as to try an
get ten hours work from us f
eight hours pay. That is not jus
They will not give US one dollar
worth of goods or railroad transportatio
for seventy-five cents-no, mot II Il
court knows herself" In regard to
OUR SOUTHERN RAILROADS,
they are doing as well now as for yea
past, this being their busy season, al
Of course their expenses must In cres
at this time, but such expent pays the
well, and makes no reasonable eSeu