The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1882-05-03
LABOR UNIONS AND STRIKES

Inc rise Of industrial Orga ntZAtiOnS
within tie past few years has di-
rec:ed attention to and discussion of the
whole question Of labor combination.
In this country their origin, with few
exceptions, antedates our late civil war.
In 1857 n National Labor Convention
was held al Baltimore, Maryland. The
controlling iCca in the convention was
to effect Il federation OF labor, but moth
ing definite was evolved. The panic Of
1873, which threw large numbers out OF
employment, stimulated the formation
Of these labor organizations. They are
now u power in the country which,
thoughtful and sagacious men have
been compelled to take note of. A late
number Of B,Wtltrcct's, one of the best
recognized auth critics on financial mat
ters In the country, and consistent ad
v,H'ate Of n,oncyetl and corporate inter-
ests, in we'll considered article on labor
and labor combinations has this To saw:
OF late years there has been greater
degree Of liberality shown by court de-
ctsiOns In applying the corporate pril,-
ciples Of 'aw. The old rigid and: heart
Iess renderings are not insisted u),On.
1t is now more generally admitted that
wOrkmcn have right to combine to-
getlIcr and employ legitimate means to
accomplish their ends. The word "le-
ultimate" means and covers q great deal
more to-day than It did score Of wears
ago, 10th here and abroad. Whatever
may he the exact boundaries of leviti-
macy In labor unions and combinations
the fact IL staring Us in the face that
they exit; that they are formidable:
that they are increasing rapidly. and
that through them labor, in it's aqvre-
gate capacity, H. gaining power and in
tiuence And better competence: that
through them w0rkmen do not compete
with and against each other for employ
nlent ~ relentles~ly 40 they did before
unions had their present power.
1t formuIates the opposition to union
ism on the following grounds: First,
that higher compensation is demanded
than would be fixed by the free opera
ton Of the law Of supply and demand rs
applied to individuals; second, that
uniOnisM aims to, and in fact does, de-
privc pr"prietorship Of its full prcroga-
tives." 1t Is mott. cable that the at
te'mpts to crush out unionisnl Nv laws
aimed ut sediti0us and tumlultuous as
sen,blages Of persons in resistance to re-
ducti"i's Of wages have been discon-
ttnued. Thoughtful employers have
been brought face to face with the fact
that strike authorized by u powerful
Is one that they have always
been p"wcrless to resist. Without
employers find that
through competition they gain wider
margin Of profit from the work
Of employees. The employees feel on the
other hand that they are entitled to y
reasonable Share Of these profits.
Through combinations they are in a po-
sition t. make their demands respected.
1t is a favorable sign of the times that r.
putahle journals and public men are
coming around to the position that Labor
unions IRE legitimate means in the
protection Of labor, and that the former
of these organizations as
MODS and disturi1ers Of the public peace !
''av" been. rclsyated to the past. A cam
did and thoughtful consideration of
these questions will undoubtedly be of
advantage both +" capital and Labor, aud !
may lead to an adjustment that may he !
of lasting advantage to each.