The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-04-24
The Strikes.


one of the largest strikes" ever known is |
there at the present time. 1t
is estimated that from 10000 to 100000
persons are engaged in the strike, volun-
tarily placing themselves in condition of
idleness on account Of their refusal to
accept reduction Of wages.
During the earlier history of this coun-
try, the labor of workingmen, and es-
pecially of skilled workmen, rated much
higher here than in England, but since the
period Of imitation produced by the war of
rebellion, wages have been constantly fall
ing in amount until the rate for unskilled
labor in this country is not much it any
better than in England. In fact if we
take into consideration the difference in
the price of manufactures and the staple
articles of ordinary consumption it will be
found there is no material difference in the
wage rate of the two countries. The
causes which have produced this state of
affairs here and there are not so disslmllar
but that in general way.they may be con-
sidered substantially the same. At what
ever periods it happens that trade, for any
cause, is unusually fourishing wages are
always good and tend constantly upward.
But the moment there is check in
the activity of trade and manufactures
wages feel this chill, and if there
is any approach to stagnation or panic
wages 60 down in a corresponding degree.
1t may be noted as almost universally the
case everywhere that whenever there is a
serious falling off in the sale of the pro-
ducts of the country, the prices of goods
rapidly decline. and wages fall. Strikes,
however, do not always grow out Of the
same invariable cause. On the contrary,
they are the result frequently of two very
opposite causes. As it is in the present
instance. in England, the strike is some
times made against a reduction of wages.
This is naturally the case where there is
depression in trade, and when manufac
turers find dull sales for their products,
and it becomes necessary to curtail bust
ness. The opposite case is where business
makes an active demand for labor, and
when probably there is an actual demand
for more men than can be had. In such
case the strike is always for higher
wages; in the case where workmen
are in excess of demand the strike is
against reduction of wages. Either con
dition may occur as the natural result o.
a state of activity, or inactivity, In thai
particular business or employment il
which the strike takes place.
If business is urgent and active,it orders
for products and goods are coming in faster
than can be readily supplied, the demand
for increased pay is commonly acceded tc
for the time because the employers car
better stand the payment of increased
wages then let slip the opportunity of en-
larging and increasing their trade, or turn
ing away good customers in pursuit of sucl
goods as they deal in. But in the oppo
site case when it is the closeness Q
trade, the narrowing margin of profit, an
the prospect of ultimate loss which impel
the employer to reduce wages, the ter
dency to yield to demand of wages col
tiDued without reduction, and at rates whic
we're paid in better times, is much less,
fact is seldom done; the employer prefe
ring to lie by and suspend operation
rather than continue to do business vii
the knowledge of certain loss.
The difficulties of the situation ha'
long since been realized by both sides, ar
the result so far as labor is concerned h
been the establishment of associations al
trades unions for the purpose of giving r
lief to those of their number who ni
chance to be on a strike; otherwise, u
less so sustained and supported the
necessities would speedily compel them
accept wages at almost any proposed I
duction. The principle of the
Unions is the contribution of
the members while at work of
certain weekly or monthly stipend
create q fund for the support
those who are upon a strik
The assistance thus rendered oft
enables the strikers to hold out even
months at time longer than it would
possible to do, if not thus aided and 81
tanned. The Objectionable feature is til
the mass of the members have little vol
and practically no influence in regard
their personal action, but are subject to t
direction aad orders of few leaders.
the latter say to men you most strii
necessity compels them to do it, or loo
not only membership but incur the person
hostility of their associates, who from Il
time forward do everything TO annoy a
ruin the chances Of the refractory pers
by keeping him from being employed
all. Whatever good the Trades Uni
may sometimes afford. and INCIDENTALLY tn
do aid aud assist the laborer to sol
extent, are more than cOunterbalanced
the tyranny of its actual oppression and
compulsory rules of arbitrary submissi(
In short its principles Of action are CO.
pletely subYersive of individual choice a
action on the part of its members. As
further consequence, and probably as
means Of increasing its Nom bership, {
Unions are also hostile to those who q
not Of their number.
Another and perhaps equally ia
consequence of the interference and q
verse action of the Union is the effect
has upon the employers.
For example, many times there NAV