The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-07-28
THE LABOR PROBLEM.

Underneath the whole labor movement
there is an underlined something which, how
ever often it's special objects may be de-
feated, germinates new life and fresh ele-
ments of strength. To superficial minds
the labor question is summed up IN the
two words, "high wages; )" to others it ap-
pears like some horrid apparition and
forms n most destructive part of our sys-
tenn OF politics; to others again the terms
"work:ng-peoDle" and "laboring classes
haze q vulgar sound and arc always as-
sociatcd with "strikcs,' riots, and other
,iis.,raccful scenes. while the great mass Of
those who constitute the body of labor re-
formers have but faint idea of the vital
causes leading to and embraced within
their organizations.
What is it that is wrong i'll society to-
day that shoa..l cause disafcction to be.
come 50 general among all those who labor
for daily support Are not our working
pcorle-artsaIs, mechanics, clerks and
lalorccs-bctter paid, in the aggregate,
thar ever before ? Have t!lcy not superior
accommodations in their homes, and are
theyr not more able to educate their chill
dren in all the essential branches, than the
game class of society in other countriesP
Very true but still more is required.
Having gained this much;seand being edu.
Gated up to the idea that these things are
indispensable requisites to mans welfare.
the recipients have begun to ask questions
of their teachers into the ways and where
fores of other things, that they may obtain
more, not in the spirit Of greed, but from
q desire TO secure their rights. As nat
ural consequence, We tnd that our worE-
ing-pcople are growing in intelligence,
and though every measure adopted by
them has not always proved the wisest and
best for the redress OF the wrongs, either
real or inns ginarJ, that have been imposed
upon them, still the fact that intelligent
organization has been affected among them
indicates that they mean to preserve until
they accomplish their purpose.
At present tie purpose sought is not
very clear In one section Of the country it
is a standard scale Of wages for labor per-
formed, in another, it is to obtain the nec-
essaries Of life at the minimum of cost; IN
another, to control labor under; certain
rules and restrictions; and in other sec
tions various measures are sought after as
beariny upon their general well being
but underneath TIE whole there is gener-
al principal at work, ana it has been at
work for years, which will in time develope
into powerful agency for good or evil, as
the leaders show themselves to he bad or
good men.
This principle is in e forward state oe de-
velopncnt at the present time. Not|ith-
standing the severe, cold Winter and the
very hard times, Spring comes and busi-
ness will again he brisk; and the labor
movement will be more active thai ever
before. The panic Of last year, topping
over, as it did, some Of the strongest bank
ing institutions Of the country, closing up
numerous branches Of industry, and ruin
ing financially, thousands OF men, has weak
enei the confidence Of the laboring ele-
ment in the management of these concerns
1t has done more. 1t has taught them
lesson that will not soon be forgotten in
the history of events proceeding the panic
Capitsl Sought to dcprcss labor to its ut
most limit, to bolster up fictitious appear
aaces, and to float the chief spectators
over n season of anticipated trouble. The
extravaganza existirg in society before
oLc panic was the glittering bait which
led the country on to final disaster. All
classes become infected with the desire to
be rich, or ut least to be considered not
DOOR The wealthy were pandcring to de-
pr;.yed tascs, and the laboring classes
sought TO get nor. time in order to i'm
nrove themselves. The Eight-hour law
was demanded Of our Legislators and OBJ
tanned; increased compensation was also
sought, while counter-moyements were
made by capital. Tie panic put tempor-
nry cessation to hostilities by placing
both classes upon a level-that IS, out Of
employment-and during the gradual re-
turn to business activity, plans ere Deins
laid for the future which, in the event Of
their being carried out, will have marked
effect upon political affairs The Labor
movement is yet in its infancy; but the
men engaged in it are somewhat above the
class whom James Parton mentioned to his
recent address, entitled,, "Who are the
Vulgar ?" in which he said,' that three
centuries ago the vulgar people compre-
hendcd the whole Of the toiing masses, in
contradistinction. to the favored few who
ruled them.