The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-08-22

EX-STATE SENATOR G. II. REEVE has an ex-
cellent article in a late issue of the Plymouth
Democrat, in which he discusses the tele-
graphers' strike, and refers to the arguments
used by Telegraph Companies as worthy of
demagogues and oppreSsors." The point
made by Mr.. Reeve is that men having money
deem il wise to combine to promote their in
terests, while it is all wrong for other men
representing skill to form Brotherhoods to
guard their rights and welfare. Mr.. Reeve
says
Now here are thousands OF operators their skill
and knowledge is their capital and they invest it
in working for the Company. Their interests are
identical, and they form company TO make that
capital most available for themselves They can
not act slngly and effectively any more than the
slocbtolders OF the Company can. They call
their Company Brotherhood. The Tele-
graph Company calls itself q corpora
ton. The Brotherhood works by its officers
Executive or Special Committees to speak for
the whole body. The corporation speaks by its
officers. its Directors Executive or Special Com
mittees. The Brotherhood as employees Of the
corporation have important alters of business to
transact with that corporation. vitality affecting
both Associations The corporation says: I'VE
Committees. That is our mode of dealing; but we
will net allow you to deal with us through your
4 Ulcers and Committees; you have no right to
combine for your own interests and have Com
mittees and officers. We claim that right, but we
will not allow you to have il"
The rights and privileges which the repre-
sentatives claim for themselves they deny to
the representatives of skill, and herein lies
the worst feature OF the disagreements be-
tween employer and employe. Mr.. Reeve
says:
Has II come to this, that man with money may
combine with other men with money and act
thI ough appointees but man with skill in labor
and with knowledge may not combine with others
havinglike skill and knowledge, and act through
appointees in business matters, mutually affecting
not only both, but all the business relations the
world? What does the Telegraph Company say
when they take this position. but this: ave have
the money, you have none. You make our
money profitable to us; but you must understand
that will not allow you any privileges we exer-
else, and you are helpless you must let us die
late the price for your skill and knowledge and
use it when and as we like. Otherwise we will
make your skin and knowledge useless to you"
Combinations of capitalists 10 force skill to
accept their edicts are everywhere recognized
as an outrage and combinations of labor if
they demand more than their fair share OF
the wealth they create are also in the wrong.
But so far labor has been modest in its ex.
actions. 1t has been content to live Day
wages has built no colossal fortunes, nor
erected on the highways OF progress it has
hewed out pslatial residences. 1t COM
bines against oppression, and fights famine.
Jay Gould and men of his ilk, who are now
seeking to reduce telegraph operators to the
level of serfs, are entitled to no sympathy
from the great body or American citizens.
They belong to the patent rat-trap aristoc-
rscy, and are the enemies of society.