National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-05-13
JUDGE wYLIE AND TRADEs-uNIoNs.

To he Editor Of THE REPUBLICAN:
John II. b. jenkins, in your issue Of the 10th,
proves himself to be entirely ignorant of tho OBJ
lects and aims of trades unions. You have not
the room, nor have / the time to enter into n
heightened discussion Of this subject, but will
very briefly endeayor to set hIm right, and at the
same time prescribe mild sedative for the ire of
the honorable Judge Wyle
In the first place. what are trades unions for7
Answer. To secure the highest attalnable wages
thereby elevating morally, physically, spiritually
and financially the mechanic and his dependents
to prevent the degradation of the trade followed
by united endeavor to dignity IL by a progress
siVe system which looks us much TO the attain
ment of the highest skill as TO the attainment Of
the highest wages. The tfades-union means to
elevate, sustain, excel, aud acquire prominence
and importance in the world OF business by maxi
ing the products Oft labor Of such excellence as
to cause demand and necessity for them. This
could not be wore 1t TO have one journeyman 10
was probably the case Tor the rule y upon which
the Judge predicates his ire That, In the process
OF civilization the mechanics have reversed
the order of things, and now have three jour
ncymen to one apprentice, Is simply n
recognition of the fact that tho 'lnborer Is worthy
Of his hire" and that he also wishes 10 make hts
calling worthy cf his efforts to excel and respect
able and honorable, which 1t could not be were
the "Jedges" three apprentices. to ne-journey.
would no doubt play Billy Hell were smooth.
faced imp of the law to attempt TO practice in his
court without his credentials Can he, then, blame
mechanic for adopting the same means of pro-
lection against the innovation Of inc competency us
governs his pioiession2 The law has its union
its regular fee for everything within It's calling
aud in that respect is not in anywise dssimiar to
the combination of mechanics for self protection
But to answer still further: Without these unions
our trades would to-day be at least so per cent
behind those of Europe in the production of
skilled labor for what Stephenson or what Horace
H9 on g' heTe SS would I'D ike to be
thirder - or runaway apprentice? Or what ma
tur ed intellect or skill would like TO measure it.
self with u be0Tdless boy who sets himself up as
journeyman, but who Is willing TO sell his SER
vices Mt hali-rates2 Would such state of things
be conducive To- the progress Of nrt2 Would 1t
a fair chance To support his family, to bring him
down TO The level OF unskilled boy.labor as re-
cards Wages ynG, TSr yoGg must on
pay just as little as possible, and he would not
hesitate to higgle even with you, and would as
soon employ u shyster as literally educated
lawyer If he thought he could save n few a dimes
thereby. Therefore you are wise, my
dss5 Judggs in making .D, condition bdSe
fee of go even If the brief consists of not
more than MS many lines. The retainer paid, and
the dignity of your silk fingered profession there
by maintained. il matters not TO you how high the
order of intellect acquired ability 1t is for the
employer " nnd that out, but the hirer has TO pay
Just the same for poor us for good law. The only
difference between us, Jcdge" Is that you never
take less than $40, aud very often the poor client
has, to plank down 5000 before the Ben Buffers
mechanic is moro human-he never goes under
his price, butho certainly does not practice extor
ton by going above it.
10 become good machinist 1t takes five years.
To become good printer such as will fit jour
neyman for all the various branches OF the craft,
takes seven; but the unions limit the term to four
years. Now, the writer contends, il takes longer
to mike good printer than II good lawyer. This
can be proven But what printer ever had the in
humanity 10 charge 5000 for printing n brief,
even from Rufus Cnoate's handwriting, which, ii
is ,prover6ial fact among Boston printers, he
couldn't read himself?
Second-Trades. unions are instituted for self
protection.
Third-For moral and intellectual ad vancement
FouTthITo prevent glut in the market OF
Finh-To prevent Generalization and degrada-
ton.
sixth--To elevate and ennoble art by demaud-
ing such wages rs will be an incentive TO excel.
Seyenth-To do honor TO American freedom by
keeping down an aspiring moneyed Oligarchy
and preventing the institution of u plebeian peas
AS for John IL. b. Jenkins, he is too vulgar for
consideration, so aim this at the Judge over his
shoulders
My prescription for the Judge is to work on the
railroad for two shillings day" for WHILE or in
one of our New England factories fourteen hours n
day at $3.50 per week, and will guarantee he will
come out as brilliant an expounder ofthe rights
pfenliceship, US he is eminent in the legal pro,es
sion. Why don't you initiate Judge Cartier, and
be good as well as wise?
If" II. u. j." will come on again, and won't
indulge In such expressions a, "Leery," 1 will
give him u lesson and prescription. But 1t is my
impression he would do better West.
CuA No,