The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1884-05-03
ssA' Explains

70 THE CHRONICLE I think your criti-
cism of the crude propositions presented
last week on the labor question are rather
severe and, under the circumstances, un-
kind. While l was fully convinced that
they would appear absurd to most people
divested as they We're, of all arguments in
their favor, | do say that things equally
absurd have heretofore claimed the atten-
ton Of legislators and been approved by
an intelligent constituency, when they
were absurdities to benefit the favored
class. If it is absurd to regulate the wages
Of the laborer by law for his protection,
is it not absurd to regulate the prices
charged by railroad or a public dray for
the protection of the people who patron
ize them If it is absurd to tax work
ingman for coming into a place to run
native out of it, is it not absurd to make
it misdemeanor to induce laborers to
leave the State? (See Acts 1899. If it
is absurd to encourage and protect labor
organizations by law, is it not absurd to
foster similar combinations Of capitalists
and professional men? There are many
absurdities, both legal and social, which
are never looked upon as such SO long as
they please the fancy Of those who con-
troll public sentiment.
But please allow me few words in ex
planation and | have done with the mat
ter altogether The article as first writ
ten, part of which was printed in The
CHRONICLE was submitted to gentleman
of education who is candid and sincere
friend of the writer, and complimented
by him; an article embracing the same
ideas was published and highly commend
ed editorially by leading labor journal
in Chicago, and copied from by some 9TH
er labor papers Of the North. Hence the
writer was induced to consider the
thoughts worthy a place in your paper,
without the ridicule or the severe criticism
which they received at your hands.
It is true that the writer has never had
| the advantages Of any education whatever
except what little is self-taught, but by
| the kindness of friends and aid of indus
| try he has been enabled to accumulate a
| few good and highly -prized books which
he has studiously read and endeavored to
profit by, but even the time for study has
been very limited and consequently his
mind is Of course, more circumscribed in
powers than those who have had a broad
er field of vision and a larger culture.
However, if the labOrs of these years have
all been in vain, as the editor would infer,
| Mr.. BrOughton's proposed reading room
| would hardly remedy the matter.
! People working for selfish ends don't
generally antagonize ''the powers that
be" or plead the cause of the weak as
against that Of the strong to accomplish
| their purpose.
1t has been said that no man is so fool
ish but he may give another good counsel
sometimes; and no man is 50 wise but he
may err if he will take no others cOunse
but his own. And while I, as fool, have
taught the mechanics the necessity for Mr.
Broughton's reading room, I have learned
lesson from your editorial which I hope
may be of use to me in the future: tt
endeavor to take care of a." and hope
and expect that B will do the same; tt
think for myself and let the rest of man
kind do as seems best to them, and whilt
it is not in my nature to be led never at
tempt to be leader in any movement
but adapt myself to circumstances as
find them and under no circumstance
write another line for a newspaper a
home or abroad. A.