The Evening critic., 1882-04-24
Trades UniOns-ArbitratiO iOns-CO.op.
eratiYe Associations.


In every city, town and village wnere trades
unions have been instituted, they have met
with strong opposition, have been denounced as
dangerous TO the interest Of law and order, and
strong efforts have been made through the
press by judges (such as Judge Wylie), legls-
lators, factory kings and others, TO indoctri-
nate into the minds Of the worklngman the
idea that trades unions are inimical to their
welfare and prosperity. Combinations of
railroad companies 10 keep up the tariff on
freight and travel; combinations of coal specu-
lators TO keep up the prices Of coal; comblna-
tions OF dealers in grain and -four to keep up
the prices OF bread combinations of mer-
chants, lawyers, doctors, bankers, builders,
and others, for their protection and pecuniary
benefit are claimed TO be legitimate and in
keeping with the law. Neither learned judges,
grave Senators, railroad corporations nor the
press, have word OF complaint against these
combinations; to do 80 would neither be
popular nor profitable.
When mechanics, artisans and laborers are
forced by the tyrunny OF capital to work for
wages inadequate for their support, they arc
admonished TO be patient and forbearing; to
feel thankful that they are no worse on
Labor, IL Is asserted, is dependent upon
capital for employment, and capital seeks or
continues investments only when 1t can real
ize n benefit. When these benefits cease to be
realized from active engagements, and when
1t retires the avenues TO employment and the
rewards OF labor are closed. Labor must rec
ognize this fact and be submissive to the
power Of capital. This doctrine OF the depend
ence Of labor upon capital is losing caste,
since labor has begun TO demonstrate Its
power through system of combinations
IlstQ upon tne same DflnCiDlG OF DfOIectlDn
as adopted by the capitalists
Whenever worllingmen complain that they do
not receive living compensation for services
rendered, the Stereotyped declaration of
labor's dependence upon capital Is made the
theme OF discussion, and pauperlzed labor IS
told IL must make no complaints, but yield to
the inevitable course of events over which It
is said TO have no control. The doctrine of tho
submission OF labor TO capital cannot be sus-
tanned. Labor Is no more dependent on capl-
tai than capitPl is on labor. II there is any de-
pendcnce on one side or the other 1t is on that
Of capital If 1t be true that labor is reduced
10 this utter state of dependence, and must
submit to every grade of seryitude ana moral
degradation, the time has come to demand a
more liberal recognition OF the Just demands
of labor. There must be no more "lockouts," I"
no cutting down OF wages to pauper prices.
Wages must be demanded that Will enable a
man to provide for his family and lay by some
FOR old age. There must be no turning of the
factory operatives family out into the cold
and desolating his little homestead because he
sympathizes with his unemployed fellow
workmen who are striking against a cruel re
duction OF their wages. To the workingmen
OF the country We say, If ever You expect tC
compel capitalists to place proper value
upon your labor you must organize into trades
unions and labor organizations for your pro
lection.
Such men as Judge wylie and others say
trades unions are injurious to the welfare and
prosperity OF mechanics and workmen In gen
eral. This is not true. If Judge wylie, who
seems to believe he knows all about labor
combinations, Will take the trouble TO read
DR.. Edward Young's Report on Labor in Eu
rOpc ana America, he VIII IND out that he IL
as ignorant as Norwegian bear upon The
subject Of labor and trades unions. In Eng
land, unions have accomplished great good
Us Stanley Jones, in his work on the condi
tions OF the working-cl of England, says
aTrade unionism In England IS an estab
Ished iaet, and power which, although
best TO openly admit The unprejudiced oh
server must allow that In England trades
unions have raised workingmen morally anC
intellectually, and have taught them a highe
sense OF their responsibilities. They have In
creased the prices Of wages and shortened tn
TO knowledge Of their common interest an
common duty, and I'm every sense has raise
the character of English workmen."
Judge Rupert mot Wylie) Kettle, In his wor
on strikes, rays respecting trades unions
"They have promoted free thought and fire.
action among the hard-working classes (tha
is what they are doing in America) and, more
over, have taught them TO respect the lal
and rely upon moral means for obtai min
what they believe 10 be right. We have no'
no bloOdshed, DO riotlng scarcely an angrl
word In the bitterest and most protracte
strikes. Although we owe this snlutary chang
partly 10 the improved education and tn
higher moral tone among the laboring clasi
We owe IL much more 10 the direct and imm,
diate influence Of trades unions"
The BTtfiSh Ondrfefiy A6Uie4p says SIT al
pears pretty clear that trades unionism, by Il
influence, has, and by degrees, altered for th
better the condition ana circumstances
British woikmen. Prior 10 1924 all concerto
proceedings on the part OF workmen for I'll
purpose OF raising the rates OF wages WEI
punlhlable DOu az common law under III
combination acts which were I'm force bot
in England and Scotland. The leaders Of th
trades unions in England have now, indee
great power. OF Halliday, Brent, McDonal'
and especially Joseph Arch, II may bo said
the words OF the Gaul, Livius, TO Cesar, 'Ther
are some whose influence with the people
very great, who although private mon, has
more power than the magistrates then
The organization of trades unions in TIL
country has become a matter OF necessity, an
II the workmen understood what Is their Ii
terest, they VIII establish unions In ever
city, town and village. Through the uHuenC
OF unions, boards OF arbitration and cooper;
tive associations important changes IN a
condition OF the working classes OF this cou
try can be brought about The present 81
TEN OF controlling labor can be revolutloni1'
by proper concert of action.
In 1868 what was known as the R0chda
PioneaIs commenced the enterprise which Ii
since become 30 celebrated. II originated
the attempt OF some wcaYers 10 obtain an d
vance in wages; failing IN this, they resOly
20 try whether they could not make the wag
they were Rettirg procure larger share
the necessaries and comforts OF lie. btaru
a store on their own account they comlnenc
with beeearly stock Oh salt butter ana
meal, in store al a rental OF ten pounds !
annun. Fourteen years later they were dol
a cash business 10 the amount OF t7d,OOo y
pnnum. 10 their original store they ma
added several other departments VI tras
and have library Of 10000 volumes.
France and England courts u arbitration hs
been organized. During the year 1870, $50
disputes about wages have been heard,
which no lese than 10000 were satisfactorily
settled. The above statement denonstral
what workmen can accomplish II they 70
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