The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-24

interfere with commerce." With such n
statute the wonder Is that any pressure
whatever can be excrtcd by operatives
leagues, and perhaps nothing marks more
striliingly the wide interval which still
separates English from American legisla-
ton In this direction, than the ambiguous
definition above quoted.
1t would seem that the shop-kceping de-
vice, by which mine owners in Mexico are
accustomed to keep their employees con-
stautly in debt and thus transform them
into species of poems, is sometimes prac-
tscd In Great Britain. Thus we observe
that standing committee of the Convention
was directed to secure the strict enforce
mcnt of the act abolishing the Truck Shop
or stall at which groceries, meats, and
liquors are sold to operatives on credit in
certain factories. We need not point out
that men who cannot be blinded to the con-
sequences Of such a seductive institution,
furnish signal proof of their ability to dis
tinguish their true interests. Another point
referred To the same committee was the
state of the law regarding " Pickcting "a
word which covers all those pacific ma
nTuvrcs tending to prevent non-unionist
operatives from working in factories pro-
scribcd by the leaders Of strikes. II APP
pears that an eminent Judge lately declared
on the bench that Picketing," in itself, was
irreproachablc that IL, of coursc, IL unattcnd-
cd by violence or intimidation; and it was
further stated that the Home Secretary had
already taken measures to the end that the
existing statutes ON the subject might fall
into desuctudc.
One Of the most curious incidents OF this
Congress, aud one which illustrates the eau
tious spirit Of the British workman, was the
profound silence and apathy with which the
meeting listened to an advocate of radical
social change. One DR.. TRAVIS, dis
ciple Of FOURIER, proposed the founda-
tion of II phdinstrH or cooperative
farm and factory, where all the ncces-
saries Of life should be produced and
shared in common by the associates.
This project. which would have provoked
the most earnest discussion in an assembly
Of German or French artisans, was passed
over with entire unconcern at Newcastle.
On the other hand. the raising of a practical
question, by the motion of one of the dele
gates levclcdagainstt the system Of job work,
was the signal for veritablc storm. Piece
work IL, Of course, preferred by -kiful and
Intelligent worlmcn. whose number in Eng
land * competed at about twenty-five per
cent Of the whole body Of opera tl,es. Tho
others naturally pronounce in favor of day
labor, yet il hy no means follows that most
OF these are solely aotuatcd by motives of
jealousy. In the debate which took place in
the Congress. the opponents Of job work
were able to bring forward considerations
which, If not decisive. were at least plausible
Thus they claimed that the specially expert
operative by forcing his own work upon the
market dcprccates the price Of labor in
general, and they even maintained that the
system OF piece work by attaching n pre-
MUM Ia rapidity of production must tend
in the end to lower the standard Of work.
manship aud turn out less substantial pro-
ducts. 1t is worth noting that the chiefs Of
the trades Unions were found, for the most
part, on the side Of the majority, and we may
mention that since 1872 the Amalgamatcd
Engineers, one Of tho strongest or
CARNATIONS in Great Britain, have set
their faces against the introduction of job
work into foundres where it had not
entered a. we'll rs against its further extern
sion in those where it had gained foot
Ing. At Newcastle. however, the parti-,ns Of
day labor encountered vehement opposition
from many influential delegates. Every
workman had the right, it was affirmed. to
draw from his own energy and dextcrity all
the profit possible, and there was no equity
In forcing an experienced and Woodworking
man to content himself with the same gains
rs his un-killcd and lazy comrade. 1t was
shown. moreover, that the system Of piece
work enabled the manufacturer to ascertain
the precise cost price Of production. With
out dwelling further on this discussion, we
may say that the fundamental antagonist
If interests hero forcshadowcd seems
fraught with danger TO the labor movement.
But for the moment direct collision was
avoided, the Congress declining to pronounce
upon the question.
Many other interesting features might be
noted in this meeting II the English trades
unions. We cannot overlook one impressive
fact brought out in the report, namely,
that the cooperative societies for con-
sumption have, since their foundation,
saved the working classes Of Great
/ Britain almost one hundred millions
Of dollars. We may add that tho
project ola workingwoman's league which
was mootcd, was allowed to drop, on the
ground that the present state of trade or
/ gnnilafion would not admit Of such wide cx-
uau@iOu.