The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-01-04
THE LABOR Reform MOVEMENT
OF LAURENS...lTS PRINCIPLES
AND ITS AIMS.

1t begun in September, 1875.
1t slowly. and steadily removed difficult
ties that seemed insurmountable.
1t boldly confronted evils that stood in
the way of progress like the Alps and
Apprentices. -.
1t attacked:
l. Radical ofice-holders, who were
using the Office withou. regard to~the
public interest.
2. Radicalized modes of traffic in farm
products, especially of seed cotton, which
was spreading demoralization and insub-
ordination among the laboring classes.
8. Negroized modes of contracting and
negroized modes Of executing contracts.
Through the public press, through
public discussion, through perpetual,
private talk it created Il healthy, a most
robust public sentiment agsinst these
widespread evils.
The wisdom of the movement is justi-
fed to the people in the magnificent re-
suits that followed.
The very dullest man in Laureus is
applauding the good already accom-:
plished. - ~. f1,
Labor Reform is still in its infancy.
Labor Reform is Just on its legs, and
has taken its first step, but that step is
the step of giant. j. at ,,'- .,cn.
Labor Reform must take another step
forward. '''-.'', ~ '' t.
The relation with which it deals is that
of employer and employee.
It purposes to dispose of the great
question of capital md labor by trans
ferring it to intelligence and skill.
The problem of capital and labor has
new and remarkable difficulties in the
South.
1t would grapple with and overcome
these startling difficulties. aa.
It would solve the great Southern
question in all its relations-industrial,
political, social aid religious.
1t. would begin at the bottom and
work upward; it would begin at the
centre and work outward.
Its philosophy is inductive and Baconi-
an.
1t would bury the obsolete past.
It would set in motion and control new
agencies and new influences upon new
theatre of action.
1t recognizes the business element as
the most needful, the most important,
the mosp popular, the most powerful
American element.
Especially does it emphasize the bust.
ness element as the dominant Southern
element:
1t says this great annual outlay Of
muscle, and energy, and skill ought to
bring in fuller and richer returns to en-
terprise and labor.
It.says let US work; let US work intel
ligently; let US work pro6tably; let us
encourage labor; let us honor labor; let
US make the least labor accomplish the
most good.
1t would therefore utilize steam. 1t
would utilize scientific inventions. ''F
1t would push ahead in the field OF
new discoveries.
1t would not work always without any
profit.
1t would not work always and be as
poor Christmas as it was in January.
1t would not pay twenty cents per
pound for bacon on time, whcu it could
buy it for ten cents per pound for cash.
1t would not make cotton at l2l cents
per pound and sell it for ten cents per
pound.
1t would have pig in the pen.
It would have lamb in the pasture.
1t would have a colt grazing in the
meadow: 80
1t would have a newspaper on the
table.
It would have a neat school house on
the roadside.
1t would make the very name of Thief
obsolete in the land.
1t would make labor reliable.
1t would make labor productive. j..
It would make labor remunerative.
1t would make labor contented.
It would make labor friendly to capital.
1t cherisbes the great ideas Of progress
aud prosperity.
1t would not haul cotton forty or fifty
miles to Greenville, though Greenville is
the best market in the world.
It would make one "Iron Horse" do
what thousand, two thousands mules
are doing, with great waste Of mule
muscle, and in the midst of great dis
comfort.
Laurens Labor Reform would build
the Laurens and Greenville Railroad.
Laurens Labor Reform would build
this road, and build it quickly.
Laurens Labor Reform hereby engages
to build it to the line within ten months.
Will Greenville build it from the line
to the cityf
We have only mentioned this as an
illustration.
What is the great idea upon which
Labor Reform is resting7
Union.
What is the great American idea OF
the American States?
Union.
What is the great South Carolina,
Humoton idea?