The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-08-12
s.rwADEs UNuONs."


is so with the question of the propriety of
Grades unions. We must confess that
we have not been very favorably impressed
with their workings in some places, while
in others they and the members thereof
have conducted themselves rs becomes
! peaceful law-abiding citizens We appre-
bend that the whole question of right or
wrong, of the propriety or the reverse of
their establishment rests upon that which
they do or propose to do in their united or
''union capacity. That is to say, upon
the real or avowed object of the associa-
| ton. Everyone, we presume, will concede
the right to individuals following the same
| trade, profession or business, of forming
! themselves into associations for mutual
| protection. There are many such associa-
| tons in the country, which are classed
under the head of Grades unions" whose
only object is TO assist one another in cases
of sickness, in obtaining employment, etc.
To this class of associations no reasonable
| person can object The only possible OBJ
|
serves to build up and foster class or caste
| distinctions; but, perhaps, the answer is al
| forciblc as the objection, that there is
naturally a more friendly feeling between
those Of the same calling than between
| those OF different pursuits, and that they
better than others can ascertain the wants
of their fellows, minister to them, or obtain
that class Of employment for which they
are the better fitted. We presume, too,
that no one will object to the right of half
Il dozen or more persons to band themselves
together and agree that they work only for
a stipulated sum. They are supposed to
know what their own services are worth,
and 10 one can compel them to work unless
they wish to. But when they 90 a step
further and assume to say that no other
person shall work except at the price fixed
by them, then they are in the wrong and
cannot receive the support of any well
meaning person. This has never been at
tempted in Vermont, and we trust and be-
licvc that 1t will never be, although we
have repeatedly heard of its being attempt
ed elsewhere
But these trades unions have rights
which other persons are bound to respect.
whether they agree with their real or
ayOwed object or not. Among those
rights is that of peaccably soliciting other
persons, following their trade or calling,
to become members of their organization.
We believe that any 'strike" organized
and set on foot by these unions to be
both wrong and illegal, as we conceive it
would be, also, to endeayor to persuade
other persons, not members of the associa-
ton, to Join in such ''strke" We know
that this is a mootcd question in some ror-
tons of the country, but we believe that
| this will soon he recognized us common
law as it is now statute law in Vermont.
But whether it shall be statute or common
| law, it can only be enforced by the proper
law officers of the country, acting through
the regular and recognized forms of the
law Individuals have no right to inter
ferc in the matter. When they interfere
illegally and improperly, mon society
men are fully as bad as "society men
as the members or non-membcrs of
''unions' are called among themselves.
We have called attention to this matter.
not because we have seen occasion to
change our oft expressed opinions in re-
ference to 'strikes" or trades unions,
hnppICp tn Il
And we might remark that investigation,
would, probably, show that these associa-
tons were not guilty of onc-half of the sins
laid at their doors.
The shocking murder by mother of her
three children, because her husband was
engaged in 'strlke" and she was fearful
that the family would come to want al
though one Of the most terrible tragedies
that the country ever Witnessed was not
without its beneficial effects 1t put ter
mination to the then existing "Coopers'
union strike, and opened the eyes of
large number of honest and well meaning
men to the great dangers to be apprehend-
ed from ''strikes, aside from legal penal
ties. The terrible murder committed in
Brooklyn, Saturday, shows that there is in
the larger cities as great bitterness of
feeling and intenseness OF hatred on the
part of the ''non-socety men as on the
part of the members of Grades unions" In
this case, it would seem that there was
great blame and lawlessness on both sides,
although it commenced in a peaceful at
tempt to obtain new members TO certain
Union, yet it was an ''union man" that
was killed, and the murder, so far as the
assassin was concerned, was utterly I'M
provoked and without justification or eX-
cusc. These terrible feuds will, unless the
better men OF the "unions"-a and these
unions contain many man among their
members that would honor almost any DO
position quickly see the danger and put a
stop TO them, imperil the safety of many a
community. Trades Unions" will con
tiuuo to exist aud increase in numbers, and
| it, therefore, behooves the leaders to see
| that Il proper direction is given to their cf
| forts. We know that many of them dis
courage "slrikes,' refusal to work with
''non-society men, these feuds and other
things of doubtful or dangerous tendency.
and we trust the day is not far distant
when it will be true of all them.
Politics and Politicians.
The Washington papers of Sunday last