The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-02-15
SAN FRANCISCO. Jan. 80, 1873.
To the Editor u the WOREINGAAS's ADVOCATE.
STRIKES DON'T PAY.

SAN Francisco. Jan. 80, 1873.
To the Editor u the woEESsAAss ADVOCATE
STRIKES DON'T PAY.
Allow me to contradict those significant
words, STRIKES do pay. Bnt short
time since ] saw an exhibit from an
English paper showing the increase In the
price of labor in England during the past
90 years, wherein it was shown that in
every instance the advance in wages was
the result Of strikes and the same rule
holds good in our own country.
The doctrine Is a pernicious one to ema-
nate from labor organization. The press
will circulate it far and wide, and when
the workingmen realize that 1t originates
from high authority in labor organizations.
they viii stand aghast, paralyzei, and dis
heartened There is no more hope for
them but to submit, like the criminal.
when he finds he is covered by the weapons
Of the officers in pursuit, who throws up
his arms and cries for mercy.
There are traitors in the labor camp as
well as in all others. These are hard words
to use, but they are not intended for any
but those that they ut, and such men are
always ready 70 seize upon apparent results
70 weaken the cause they only profess to
spouse and strengthen that Of the enemy
That in union there Is strength is too
plain tp require demonstration. What
does 1t avail, then, If that. strength lies
dormant far better thing for Union
reports n t1 inquire riy dont strikes pay
and the answer T. su simple that every one
knows II. 1t Is because there Is not unan-
unity among the workingmen. And why
IS there not unanimlty among the work
men Z Because they arr too selfish. III the
best wurkmen will combine in a Star
Chamber mon. and leave their less skill
ful brethren out IN the cold, they may
expect that these men will take the first
opportunity IL warn then selves. Trades
unions need not protect the bosses, they
are quite able 70 take care ~ themselves .
but as long a. they exclude any class az
workmen from becoming members. IN
skiltul though they may be, they Will never
make
"sTRIKES Fay
have already. ia letter u THE AD-
vocATE, pointed out how the hrcklayers
Of San Francisco have alone been able a.
maintain the eight-hour rule, while All
those acting under the advice III som, uf
our labor leaders have miserably failed.
and all except the bricklayers are now
working ren hours This the bricklayers
accomplished I'm permitting every man
who claimed "a lie a bricklayer 10 Join he
/ BrlcklaYrrs Union; even when Govern
ment contractors hAd crnsp.ryd tn crush
their organization and defeat their efforts
to maintain the eight-hour rule
! 1t may be well to notice that the brick
/ layers, as a body. took no political action.
A certain distinguished labor leader here
failed to harness them 10 ms car. ana drive
| them IN the Democratic ranks when he
y IS So inclined, or when he Topped 70 turn
them IN the opposite direction
Speaking of Government contractors
reminds me of the new mint, built Of sand
stone professedly, but really Of IRON ore,
that now, or lately, being sawed INTO slabs
for flooring, and Of which the mint build
my is faced. some Of the strata may be
safely estimated To ASSAY 10 II not 20 per
cent. IRON. Ii may do very well for floors,
but Tor facing presents dlngy, Oxldized
appearance. There was probably as much
corruption anu stealing IN the building OF
thus mint, proportionably, = IN the build
ING Of the Pacific railroad This miserable
stone was brought from Brush Columbia.
while the Government owns, on Angel
Island, III the Bay Of san 10, quarry Of
beautiful and very durable blue sandstone,
IL which the California bank - built, and
the new City Hail III tins city IS being con
structed, and notwithstanding several of
our city papers have called the attention
uf the authorities At W Arlington TO this
stone. no notice has been taken Of it, or
any censurs visited upon MIR. Stebblns
And he is the man who, while superintend
ing the construction Of the mint, endeav-
orod to break up the eight hour rule among
the brickayers, and compelled the stone
masons to work ten hours, IN violation Of
the Law Of Congress and the proclamation
Of the President.
There has been quite an excitement here
lately over lecture Of Colonel Barnes, uf
the California militia, while IN command
Of the forces ~ the state, engaged ia the
Amader war. You will recollect this Vas
an underhand game 81 lay Governor Haight
on the shelf, but ostenslbly for the purpose