The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-10-24
TO CIGAR MAKERS.
, Editor Of the woRkISeSAx's Advocate.

10 the Editor Of the woRKNGSAS's ADVOCATE.
With the expectation that your kind in
yitation to the local Unions, contained III
the ADVOCATE of the 10Th inst, would
have been embraced, | awaited with more
than ordinary interest your last issue. In
that respect We are mistaken. Assuming,
however, that you would accord the same
privilege to a member Of the International
Union, we beg your indulgence to offer a
few ideas Of our own, together with some
suggestions for the consideration Of the
members If or organization touching the
questions involved in the matter OF the
proposed special session OF the Inter
national Union. While We readily admit
our total lack Of ability to present any per
feet plan. If Reorganization, and that our
views and suggestions will be subject to
severe criticism. We sincerely believe that
unless similar line Of policy IS pursued
ii would he better that the matter Of
special session vas At once dismissed, and
the International Union allowed to peace
fully meet its fate without repetition Of
the legislation annually administered to Its
constituents. None will deny that our
present system is failure. The reasons q
such failure are apparent. What was
sound policy ten, or even h-e years ago,
will not avail nov. AS trade organlza-
ton we are behind the age. Instead Of
being the dictator we are the victim.
Non-uniOn labor is the lreGpon welded by
our adversaries to crush us, and our expe-
rience shows that it has been used by
master hand until there seems scarcely
anything left, except our past record, worth
contending for. This is a humiliatlng con-
fession, yet nevertheless true. In our
opinion there remains but one course to be
pursued to enable us to maintain our organ
ization as Union, and to that course we
desire to call your attention. 1t is admit
ted, 50 far as cigar making is concerned,
that the supply Of labor is more than
equal to the demand, and that the sup
ply is likely to be enhanced rather than
diminished. The introduction Of BsOulds
and the employment of unskilled labor, is
undoubtedly the cause of such a state OF
facls. Ii is also well-knOwn that the large
cities. especially New York, are the breed
Ing places Of this surplus labor, from
whence swarms Of cigar makers are ready
at a moments notice to take the places Of
union men when the hand Of the employer
is laid too heavily for endurance That it 1
il essential to our existence that this snr-
plus labor should be trith US rather than
against as will be admitted by the most
orthodox union man. How this is 70 be
done is the great question to be solsed.
We answer, organize them into Unions.
Gut off this supply of surplus labor, and
the interior will take care of itself This
cannot be done by coercion or by the
infection of penalties. This has been
tried, and we know the result. 1t is true,
we have invited them to join our Unions,
and submit to our laws. But there has
been the trouble. Our laws will not work
with them-never did-and, as they exist,
never will Let MS then e stooptO conquer.
We are not Of those who believe that The
mass Of cigar makers are opposed to Union
ism on the contrary, we are informed that
they have associations in the city of New
York alone whose nnmbers exceed the
Unions ten to ont-ssid associations being
formed for mutual protection. Convince
those men that our interests are identical.
Learn their ironlts. Ask them to assist US
in building up Trade Union that shall
tive respect of its mem bers In