New-York tribune., 1873-07-29
4 LESSON FROM THE CEISPINS.

Perhaps the often-repeated warning which
has been given in these columns to working
men may be enforced by the lesson of the
disastrous experiences of the Massachusetts
Crspins. THE TRIBUNE, few days ago, faith
fully detailed the progress and declenson of
that industrial association; and the unhappy
facts which attended its grievOus fall were de-
rived from its own members assembled in
solemn convention. We will not say that the
history of this association is like that of all
kindred societies, nor is such as the history of
all is likely to be. But there is so much in it
that is common to all, it is worth while for
the members Of trades-uniOns to stop and con-
slider the circumstances.
The Crispin associations, like many others,
were formed for social and mental improve
ment. Before they took on the name and
style by which they were more lately known,
these organizations were merely clubs of men
| who had in common, beside the usual feelings
and aims of wOrkingmen, the interest of
craftsmen engaged in different branches Of
the same calling. Naturally it was not long
before the societies made common cause
against what they considered TO be the in
Justice and oppression of the "bOsses." This
is exactly true of all trades-unions. Next, in
place of the inexpensive pleasures of social
determination, came the often angry discus
sion of the ways and means by which cOmbi-
nation could compel certain desired cOnces-
sions. The organization was made more COM
pact and thorough; correspondence was opened
between the branch societies; officers were
appointed to remain constantly on duty, like
faithful sentinels. Soon, strikes were ordered
in certain cases with tho military precision of
a formidable power. The association had be-
come disciplined force. One or two strikes
caused intense irritation on both sides; masters
and men distrusted and hated each other. An
almost general suspension of labor was
inevitable; and it came Everybody recollects
the unequal contest into which the Crispins
plunged. They struck against Capital without
any preparation for defense. Capital could
remain idle; Labor could not. Then there
was the vain struggle in which the poor strikers
thought to revenge themselves on Capital by
Withdrawing their slender earnings from Capt.
tabs savings banks; they found that these
savings institutions were so interlaced with the
companies which held insurances on their own
little property that all must come down to-
gether. That system Of retaliation would not
work.
All this cost money. Before the strikes be-
gan the expenses of the united brotherhood of
sboemakers were considerable. Workmen who
became vigilant and active officers must leave
the bench; they must be paid. They could
not appear as special committeeman and depu-
tations in common garb; they must he paid
literally; and they were. So far, the history
of the Crispins is like that of every other trade
union. But, according to the Crisplns, trouble
began in their own camps. The leaders "put
"on airs;" the rank and file murmured at the
easy life which their non-working officers led.
The officers, for their part, grumbed at the
supineness of their followers Qor such they
soon became). If poor fellow did not
pay his dues-and the payment of dues
was a test of faithfulness-he was
cut off from work and the privileges of
Crspin. Possibly something like this has
been seen in other tradesuniOns Then there
were dissensions among the trade sub-divis-
ions. Bottomers, treers, stitchers, crimpers,
and cutters were utterly at loggerheads. In
some cases, their vocations Tapped over or in
terfered with each other; and in Others the
dangerous question of "society funds kept
them in constant turmoil. The tale has been
told. The association went to pieces; and.
when general reduction of prices came, the
members were found working at the new rates
lust as if there never had been behind them
a powerful and arrogant organization, demand
ing of and debating to the "bosses."
To us who heartily sympathize with Labor
in its efforts to secure harmony with Capital
all this is very melancholy. Time, money,
mental force and good temper have been
needlessly and unproftably expended. In how
many similar organizations is this not pos
sible9 How many other combinations are
making the same mistakesf The Crispins
made sudden, unprecedented, and therefore
unjust demands. Instead of good-tempered
and fair negotiations, which might have led
up TO better understanding between en-
ployers and employed and more liberal
wages they came down suddenly on an
unprepared market; they demanded every
thing at once. They began by putting
all attempts at reconciliation out OF their
reach They had no preparation on their own
side. Confident of compelling concessions to
their demands, they had no reserved force in
the rear. IL the Lynn strikers had been ready
with a cooperative association of their own,
the lame and impotent conclusion of their ar
gument would possibly have been avoided.
But they burned their bridges when they went
out to war. If the .thoughtful worNngman
cannot see in the sharp demands, disdain of
co6neratye labor, Wasteful organization, and