Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-28
CAPITAL AND LABOR.

CAPITAL AND LABOR.
The WOrkingMan's View Of the Ques-
tons at Issue.
MEMORIAL OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF LABOR
IN THIS DISTRICT TO CONGRESS.
The resolution introduced by Mr.. Morgan in the
Senate June 18th, to appoint select committee of
seven Senators to TAKE into consideration the sub
Ject OF labor strikes and inquire into the causes
thereof and what measures can be properly pro-
vided to modify or remove such causes, was, on
the 21St inst, referred to the Senate committee
education and labor; whereupon the Federation of
Labor in this District had a special meeting and
appointed committee to memorabilia the Senate
ON the subject. The committee presented their
memorial last Monday, and 1t is thought by the
Senate committee worthy of Incorporation In or as
an exhibit with its report, which was submit
ted In the Senate to-day.
THE MEMORIAL
is as follows:
Your petitioners, duly appointed to represent
the National Federation OF Labor in the District of
Columbia, respectfully submit somewhat cursory
statement, owing to the limited time allowed for
causes producing the Widespread feeling of dis
content which prevails among their Fellow work
men OF the United States.
We rejoice, In common with all intelligent work.
men, Organized and still combating throughout
the country for the purpose OF ame!iorating their
obtaining that amelioration through lawful means
at the hands of the legislative power OF the nation
They will all feel gratlfea to learn that your hon.
0rable committee have been instructed by the
Senate to consider the subject OF 'labor strkes'-
to inquire into the causes thereof, aid to report
what measures can be properly provided to moo Hfy
or remove such causes of disturbance, ana to pro-
vide against their continuance or recurrence.
-, Thls Is a most important national question. But
there can be no doubt, in tie opinion CT your petit
toners, as to the constitutional power OF Congress
70 AFFORD the remedy required. The organic law
It's to be e a asfee
insure domestic tranquility. provide for the COM
mon defence, promote the general welfare, ard
secure the equal blessings OF liberty" to the people
ana TO their posterity.
The establishment OF justice" is the first grand
object enumerated after The formation OF govern
ment, for which the Constitution was framed by
the builders, our common foretathers. That point
covered. the remaining injunctionS Of the 1Lstru-
ment may be easily enforced.
But your petitioners respectfully submit to your
enlightened Judgment as Senator's, that
THE EXISTING RELATIONS OF CAPITAL AND LABOR
are not adjusted in accordance with the principles
OF equity or fair dealing, and so long as these I'M
fair relations are permitted by the law-makinr
power to exist without some radical modification
all efforts to 'nsure domestic tranquility" will
be futile; order cannot be enforced where Justice
Is Violated, except by a deplOrable system OF
tyranny. which would result in wholesale deStruc-
tion OF life and property, perhaps
70 the me efage Wage Workmen OF the nation. owing
at schools and colleges, spend the days Of their
youth IN acquiring the skill and developing the
muscle necessary to fit them for their several avo-
cations, rendering them valuable citizens and in
disnensable auxiliaries to the general welfare OF
communities. When they attain manhood ana
Dull their apprenticeship, commencing life as
IoIrneymen mechanics, they find capitalists with
out mechanical skill, (as general rule), In full
trade or business, to the mastery OF which the I'M
fortunate workmen had previously devoted their
entire youth With this cherries prospect before
them, the moneyless workmen have no recourse
but to sell their dearly bought skill and labor upon
such terms as the greedy capitalist aforesaid may
see proper to allow them. q rate of wages gener-
ally very Slightly In advance OF the bare cost OF
subsistence. The hope OF acquiring enough money
to enter into competition with their employers by
saving the Scant surplus of their daily wages Is
exceedingly thin, and the mere contemplation of
such an idea is in great degree demoralIzing to
ayoung man of ambitious spirit
HOW TRADES UNIONS ORIGINATE.
The government considers q fair valuation of
capital invested to be three-and-a-half per cent
per In excess of this rate is illegal usury
The journeyman mechanic usually finds the capt.
tai invested in the prosecution OF his own business
yielding to the investors forty eighty or hundred
per cent on the sale OF the products OF his skill
and toll after deducting his scanty wages. When
tue heat and burden of the day IS over and he
returns after nightfall to his humble home and
hears the pialntive cry OF his family for the COM
mon comforts OF life, which his wages cannot
afford, is not some manifestation OF discomfort a
natural consequence OF the failure on the part of
Congress to fulfill the duty enJoined upon it by the
constitution, to wit: the establishment of
justice?" eve submit this inquiry with all due
respect and humility to the honorable committee
on education and labor.)
THE woRKMEN SEE BUT LITTLE SYMPATHY
manifested for their hapless condition by the rich
employer, grown fat on the unrequited toll OF his
laborers, and exclusive in his social re!at;ons-a
great gulf standing between them in the scale OF
society; and he naturally seeks communion and
fellowship with bis fellow-sufYerers They organize
trade union, with very limited knowledge OF
their humble way to right the wrongs Which thew
feel themselves subjected to by means of
A 'ssTRIKE"
for better remuneration for their toll. But can't
tai always resists such demands, and imports from
abroad with the surplus means wrung from
the toll OF the strikers another hungry crowd Of
workmen to take their places, driving their old
workmen out of their homes as despised tramps
In some cases the defeated workmen driven to
frenzy, are provoked to commit violence and
public indignation is aroused on ex parte safe
press deriving support mainly from emnlnyers
Then the strong arm OF the government is invoked
oy capital: TO do what? Do they ask for .the es-
adjustment OF tuSticen-the paramount object or
the slater MOI That is not their petition. TSe "
ask you to sinsure domestic tran0uilityn nv
Or the OF tSe Of the
maintain the capitalist In his honoredp sys
VeW VI UNJUST OPPRESSION. IL Is reported that
law recently passed the legislature OF New York
making IL penal OFFENCE, punishable by fine and
imprisonment. for workingmen to organize or
combine to commit "any" act injurious to trade
or commerce, which implies that O strike for
nigheE wages IS criminal offence, for which the
the natural outcome OF such legislation In a free
governments -
CORPORATIONS AND CAPITALISTS
"Why docs the law-mak1ng power OF the country
skip the first Injunction OF the Constitution and
endeavor to enforce the second7n Is q question
naturally arising. The answer to this is thought
by the mass OF workingmen OF to-day to be found
in the popular belief that The working majority In
charge OF the machinery OF the government has
been corrupted In all its branches BY the more IN
scrupuious comoines.vns OF capitalists controlling
ass col ~SIatlons, SO that this grand social s,lpeT
structure founded sby the people and for the pct-
pie mas Deen from its legitimate purpose
INTO en- eaglne for the oppression OF the poor and
tor I'D 0eneht OF the rich, we are taught by tue
authentic.
Your petitioners are proud to say. however. that
the resolutions OF the Senate referred TO the hon
CRADLE COMMITTEES on education ana labor indicate
Few departure In the conduct OF public Affairs
grand stride In the right direction towarI q Is, Il
solution OF the labor problem