The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1886-01-28
LAROR AGIrArLnn

The labor interests Of the United
States are just now very much disturbed
and the matter should receive early ana
close attention BY ali Legislative bodies
now In session. Governor Martin, IN his
message printed yesterday in the NEWS,
shows what has been done by means Of
arbitration. This il curative but not pre-
ventive. Ittakes the disease at Its eli.
max, and alleviatea the pain, but does
not eradicate the disease. To be effect
i've the cause must be eradica,ed from
the body polite.
Volumes have been written by polill-
cal economists, detailing sound prinei-
plies OF social harmony, bat We have yet
10 read . conservative statement OF the
relations Of capital and labor by q labor
er-one closely unidentified by &C
tuai experience with the CON-
planning class. The newspapers
assunlng TO represent the work.
ing classes are often one-aided and in
cendlary. They print long Iists Of ''boy-
COTS. and fritter away valuable space
IN recounting special cases Of hardshIps.
The same is true largely Of the delibera.
tive councils OF the Workingmen. The
time Is wasted in purely routine matters,
rim contests over the honors of the as
sembly. A few badly worded, super.
fetal resolutions are passed, and the
convention adjourns. Nothing has been
effected.
To find cure, We must first diagnose
the disease. Let Us give one and per.
naps the most fruitful source OF trouble,
viz: The corporation, which has often
been said. and with much truth, has no
soul, because no individual responsible
ity attaches. The best example just now
is coal company.
A few men, with Q little sur
plus, deslrous OF investment.
and an opportunity 70 work
. coal vein. The ordinary equipment of
Kansas shaft Is made at q cost of about
81 800. A charter IL filed with an au-
thorized capital stock Of 81, 600 In such
. case. The stock IL divided no among
the owners, its face calling for the
amount named. Only ten per cent. Il
paid In. BY manipulstions considered
entirely honorable, the nina is made Il
earn enough to pay good interest or
the capital stock-nOt upon the original
Investment Tbs 10 the flush time will
the company, and the stock is passed
into the hands of large number o
purchasers at its par value, or ct
premium. according to the earning
quality of the original investment. Thl
mine advances, hard time and acct.
dents occur by which the mine fails q
pay but q merely nominal interest upoI
It's capital stock. To tide over, the di
rectors issue scrip dividends, payable il
coal at ths mine. Some of this is ah
sorbed, some Is not. and dissatisfactIol
ensues. The usual remedy Is an imme
date resort 10 cutting down expenses
If the superintendent won't do this
there dozen waiting to take his plsc
who will. During all this time the Ii
bOrer has been Induced to settle with hi
family in the neighborhood, and perhap
prompted to purchase some Of the sui
face for site for his cottage. He Is ha
over the road and has but few NOR
payments to make. He has adjuste
his household economy 70 live and me.
his payments. The order is issued to re
duce expenses, and q cut In prices {
mining results. A dozen excuses Al
made, all perhaps true on their fAcC
The books show justification. The mlI
will lose money if kept open at presel
prices. The miner readjusts his hous
hold matters to meet the emergency
His children are removed from scho
because he cannot dress them lii
, those OF his neighbors, or turnll
. them the required books. Anoth
cut comes as logically as effe
follows cause. The miner strik
the air for a time, and then strikes
earnest.
3 We have given a typical case. 1t
f the rule with corporations IN the UnltI
Q States to-day. We might proceed Il
4 definitely, but stop. Now, what Is u
= remedy? We answer, legislation.
= legislation TO prevent undue infiatio
r Let laws passed to control corpor
: tions be based upon the theory OF actu
4 values. To do this VIC must have of
) GERS Of the government and members
the legislature in sympathy and 10 hs
mOny with the masses of the peOpI
4 and not in league with the willy few. 7
: obtain this, we must vote for them. ]
4 these interests, vital to Il
D well-beiDg OF the Republi
Z we must refrain from worshippiu
3 the god party. Or, If party organic
] ton is necessary, let the people ca
: their votes and give their Influence {
that party which Will the nearest repr
D sent their interests.
We must not overlook the necessity (
close economy on the part of the lahore
he should husband his resources-saN
all he can. When work is plenty, i
/ him invest little here and there to say
constant tax upon his income. Tt
first duty man owes 10 TO himself. H
| second, to the state.