Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-03-27
LABOR TROUBLES.
By j. L. Champ, Principal of Par
kers burg w. Va, Colored Schools.

There seems to be general ten
dency on the part of wage-workers
throughout the country, to strike
for an increase of wages and also to
demand that fewer hours constitute
a days work.
Is this the better method, and will
it lead to the desired results
Again, are the tendencies of such
conflicts, such as will add strength
to our institutions? are questions
which naturally suggest themselves,
but which time alone can answer.
One thing is certain, it won't do
| for Us to dismiss these troubles with
the thought that no cause for them
exists; that will not obviate the
difficulty, nor lessen the evil influ-
ences which they exert upon every
avenue of business. We have ac-
customed ourselves to look upon
these labor agitations as the out
growth of Nihilistic or socialistic
teachings, imported to these shores
from the over-populated monarchies
ofthe old world ,-hence exotic plants
which will cease to flourish as soon
as their votaries become fully Amer
icanlzed. 1t is to be hoped that this
manner of dismissing subject which,
it seems to us, is fraught with such
momentuous consequences, will not
continue until it has crippled, if not
destroyed the whole social order.
These agitations are not exotic. they
are the effects of cause which ex-
lists and which is daily growing on
our own shores the product of the
unnatural and forced relation which
capital and labor assume toward
each other-a relation Of antago-
nism. We take it that labor and
capital are mutually dependent, one
upon the other, and that any rela-
ton existing between them other
than one of reciprocity, is abnormal
and in its cause, lies the solution of
this problem. But this relation of
mutuality receives but little, if any
more recognition in this than in the
countries of the Old World With
an equal density of populations
doubtless the same conditions would
obtain, and from this it is clear
that differences in political institu-
tons exerts but little influence which
tends to better the condition of the
laboring classes. 1t is said that ex-
tremes meet, and one system of OPP
| preston will be met, sooner or later,
by an opposing system. Wrong may
so insinuate itself upon the public
conscience until it is classed among
the just and prop er institutions of
the country. We have an example
of this in the stock gambling which
is carried on daily and which re-
ceives more attention from the pub
lie than the doings Of Congress. 1t
is when those, against whom these
wrongs are directed, rise in their
might to repel them, that they are
seen in their true colors. 1t is by
agitation then that such are brought
before the bar of public opinion.
This then, may be one benefit that
will grow out of the present trou-
bles.
We have heard it stated thus
"These strikes are unjust, since they
are the outgrowtlfs of labor com oil
nations formed tor the purpose OF
antagonizing capital" Now, if this
were true, the mere statement would
be sufficient to condemn them, but
is it ? Are not these combinations
themselves the effect of another
cause, which has not only made them
possible, but an absolute necessity
We refer to the massing of great
amounts of capital in large corpora,
tions. The laborer sees that these
vast combination are enabled, and
that they do, in many instances
control legislation, State and Ma