The Evening critic., 1882-03-22
Grades Unions Defended A Mcchan-
les RcpIy TO Judge Wyiic.

10 tie kditor oy he EreeiBg critic,
Judge wylic has seen fit to use his high 20.
sltlon TO charge the responsibility OF idleness
and its consequences ON the workingmen who
have chosen To organize for the purpose Of
making 1t possible 70 live deccntly by skilled
labor, that is now, and has for ages, been en-.
gagged IN feeding, clothing and shcltorlug tho
human race whilo the carrlon crows OF So
ctoty pcl, tie seed sown by honest toll, robs
the harvest OF the producer and fattcns on tho
putrid carcass Of social evil whom there IS no
chance 10 steal the fruits OF labor. We who
hHve toiled yesr after year to build tho wealth
Of this nation have enjoyed but q small share
OF the wealth VIC have created. AS we look
back along the pathway Of life and number
the weary hours OF toll and pain that mark
results, we are startled % sec
the sun past the meridian OF life ana in
place Of the hard-carnod dollars that must
stand bot3oe6a Old Age and CHARITY, we hnd last
winters bills for the necessities Of life staring
us In the face with no prospect of paying
these Just claims while satisfying present
needs, until the frosts of early autumn re-
minds us the struggle of the past winter Is 10
be repeated in the future VIII any fair.
minded Arbitrator say Justice requires cer-
tain number OF mechanics, who have spent
years TO acquire their skill, shall lay down
their tools and seek employment In some
other occupation. In order TO mako room for
an Indefinite number OF apprentices TO n trade
that Is already Overcrowded by surplus of
iourneymen and labor-saving machinery
Tie whole trouble In regard 10 the apprentice
question lies In non.enforced or defective laws.
There is no protection for the employer aud
none foT the apprentice. few years since'it
was possible for n poor girl 10 support herself
deccntly by papcrfoldlng and book-stitchlng.
But capital has replaced flesh and blood,
that demands food, clothing and shelter. by N
frame of iron and sinews of steel that VIII do
the work Of dozens with but little cost. How
long ago has II been since woman, by sewing
ten hours, could make vest or pair of pants
for which she received 1925 while AZ pres
ont the clothing establishments get the same
work done for SO per dozen? There is mer-
chant known 10 the writer who has n delicate
young woman as book-keeper on n salary of
s per week, who has consumptive parent
10 support and must mako a decent appear
ance in the store OF this civilized hyena that
would rob n corpse Of decent shroud on
business principles.
hope FOR the sake of the Judiciary, whom
we are bound 10 respect, that 1t is not true
that one of their number is
stockholder and the treasurer (John
Mi, 6) of the Machine Brick Co. "a patent
machine that liberates manual skill. lessen.
ing the cost OF manufactured yet we find this
company standingson the Threshold of build
ing enterprises, demanding nearly per cent.
advance on materials the mechanic must have
to add another value to in order to earn his
daily wages. am at loss to understand why
Judge Wylie should consider thieves who
have no respect for the rights of property, as
nt candidates for apprenticeship TO an honest
trade, when their native talents clearly point
TO law as a proper study. Arrogant egOtism
has no use for the common herd but TO propa-
gate their specieS--tO furnish the slaves to do
the drudgery for their ofrsprlngs-and who
get petulant when their subjects refuse 20
petition them TO lessen the yoke that gals and
blsters. Pray, would not dare to insult the
Great Architect of this Universe by praying
for an increase Of wages, unless held u mem
| bership in an organization that had enough
| OF the spirit of my rebel grand sir who
| took nine and thirty lashes on his
| bare back, in a British prison hulk, be-
| fore he would swear allegiance to King George
| III. The bayonet charge at Omaha has pierced
| more breasts than the poor machinistis, who,
| goaded 10 desperation sought to beat back.
| with bare hands, n Hessian soldiery. / do not
counsel strife. ! am for arbitration and peace.
Lock at Ireland To-day the British lion is
qualilDg with baf1ied hate before the peaceful
Indignation OF people driven like sheep be-
fore the wolves of monopoly. 1t only requires
blow to bring forth the latent heat Of iron.
! So does injustice open up n way of salvation
for the oppressed. The first bold step toward
Capitalization Will bring the iron to q white
| heat and centralized capital face to face with
! its fate. In the meanwhile, tho work of.or-
ganization goes on steadily and quietly, and
when law stamps II into secrecy, a crook OF the
finger, a twist OF the hand, is all that Is re-
quired TO proclaim External vigilance is the
| price OF liberty. Are we In earnest Ask the
| babe tugging at Its mothers breast IL IL is in
| earnest. Watch 1t grown to manhood defending
her from desolation, and, II not hardened by the
daily sight of crime, IL 1lial reverence has not
| grown palsied, you can understand why the
oppressed toiler loves the principles of "ciyil
| and religious liberty" and looks hopefully to
the next change OF masters for better things
Trades unions not only champions the rights
of the mechanic, but also that of the female
tOiler struggling for an honest living-who is
justly entitled to the same pay as male labor
We are willing to submit our principles To q
jury of our peers and TO eliminate any proven
Injustice but do not propose to lei every fool
| in this community sit In judgment on our case
when his own selnshness will have to defend
itself. Public sentiment Will always defend
| the rights of man, regardless OF any great
medicine man that seeks TO frighten children
by the rattle of his gourd seed.