St. Paul daily globe., 1886-02-19

tyrannical measures. The controversy be-
tween the Mccormick Company and its en-
ployes was that half dozen men who did
not belong TO the labor union had been en-
pIoyed i'm the company's service Ordinarily
this would appear 20 be a trifiing
matter to quarrel about, and it looks to
have been a small thing on which to base a
strike. But IL must be remembered i'm this
connection that capital having first set the
example labor found it necessary to perfect
an organization in its own defense. The
labor problem as 1t is presented to-day is
organized capital on one side arrayed
against organized labor on the other. 1t is
an unfortunate array of what ought 10 be
mutual interests. but il exists nevertheless.
Now, in order that labor should make its
organization compact and effective there
are certain rules to be observed. one
of which is that every skilled artisan
shall become a member Of the union
Whenever an artisan stands alOof from
his class and refuses to aid in the
organization which has been perfected for
the benefit of the labOring classes he must
expect from them that ostracism which Is
awarded to traitors In all communities.
That is the theory upon which the labor
union demands the expulsion of nOn-union
men from employment where skilled labor
Is required. Looking at it from their stand
point there is just as great principle in
volved in this controversy as there is in Mr..
McCoBMcK's side of it. viewed from the
standpoint he occupies.
Again, while Mr.. MCCORMICK may be
correct in the theory that the individual
owner of property shall have perfect right
to manage and dispose of his property just
as he individually pleases, still as a prac-
teal proposition he will probably live long
enough TO learn that il is not profitable 70
invest capital I'm manufacturing enterprises
unless he is prepared TO make some conces-
sions to those upon whom he is dependent
for the success of his establishment Manu-
featuring institutions are not built for the
purpose of standing idle and allowing the
machinery to rust away. If they are run il
requires skill and labor to run them, and
the rights and feelings and principles OF
those who furnish the skill and labor are
entitled to some respect
If, according TO the plausible arguments of
our contemporaries, the MCCORMICK plan of
avoiding a strike by shutting down in ad-
vance and starving the employees into sub
mission be followed and adopted by capi-
talists throughout the country, it will most
probably result in opening the fOOd-gateS
of anarchy, and will deluge the land with
the fiercest communism that ever swept a
nation. Suppose the Mccormick principle
be established, what is to prevent the coun-
try from being flooded with Chinese
and the pauper labor of Europe. If the
labor organizations are TO have no voice
debating what kind Of labor that is 10 be
employed, what protection will American
labor have against the competition OF
Chinese and European pauper labor? Ther
suppose, as will naturally follow. that in
order 10 reduce wages capital will food
the country with cheap labor, there will
arise conflict the horrors of which We
have no just conception. 1t is always best
TO go slow in these matters. There are
social and political problems connected
with the labor question which must be
worked out by degrees. They will noi
admit of foTcible or compulsory processes.
BY restraining our impatience. and witt
the exercise OF due conservatism. everything
will be properly adjusted in the end.
Whereas, by the exercise OF an arbitrary
and tyrannical power. capital may find
itself wrecked within sight of the port OF
security.