The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1886-10-21
THE LABOR MOVEMENT.
THE GOLDEN RULE Is THE BASIS
OFTIENEW POLITICAL ECONOMY
4 Valuable Book to Those who Are In
terested-( Everyone Ou2ht to be Inter-
ested In the Labor Problem.
Especial Cor STATE CHROSICLEI


Especial Cor. STATE CHRoNICLE.I
The political economy Of our fathers Is
giving place to Il new and better system
in which the Golden Rule is substituted
for the principle of selfishness which char
acterized the former. Observers of social
phenomena recognize that this is a revo-
lutlonary epoch in economic thought.
There Is tendency in all departments of
life to organize for mutual atl and protec-
ton Editors lawyers, physicians, drug
gi3ts, manufacturers, tobacco dealers and
railroad corporations organize and no
comment is excited, but when the labor
ing classes (wage-workers) resolve to do
the same thing, there is a cry raised by
monopolists and their organs that such
organizations lead to anarchy and should
be suppressed. The careful student of
the labor problem, however, sees in the
movement, if properly directed, only good
for he is aware that in no age or country
has the wOrkingman ever made marked
social or material advancement without
the aid OF strong labor organizations. Then
organization of labor is a protection rather
than a menace to the capitalist Labor
properly organized acts with discretion
under the impulse of the moment as is
evidenced by the recent riots in Belgium.
Few have studied the social questions of
the day as has DR.. Richard I. Ely, Profes-
sor Of Political Science in the Johns Hop
klns University, and one of the most noted
opponents IN America, of the views of the
new school, of political economy which
had its rise in Germany some fifty years
ago. Without class prejudice, he reviews
the labor movement fearessly and hon
estly The laborer is to be congratulated
that he finds sympathlzer in so cOmpe-
tent an adviser; the capitalist, that the adj
vice is so strongly imbued with the spirit
of christianity and is so conservative and
practical.
Ia the preface he says, ''the importance
of those phases of American life with
which the present work deals, is no longer
likely 10 be called III question. The labor
movement treats of the Strugg lie Of the
masses for existence, and this phase is ac
qurng a new meaning III our own times.
y marvellous war is now being waged in
the heart Of modern civilization. Millions
are engaged in it. The welfare of human
lty depends on its issue. The
present crisis in our history is time
when either optimism of pessmism is
easy; but both are dangerous. The poten-
yond precedent and it rests with the living
to say what the future shall be. There is
enough that is alarming to excite US to
vigorous action; there is enough that is
promising to encourage our best efforts
with the brightest--hopes."
Dr. Ely does not hesitate to express his
approval of the turn the labor movement
is taking, at the same time severely cen
suring many things connected with it, He
says ''much that is done in the name Of
labor, | regard with adherence. In the
same way should the reader understand
my admiration for the Knights of Labor.
| believe it is grand society, but | dis
sent from some of its principles and from
its course in some localities. Individual
Knights and individual assemblies have
been guilty of outrageous conduct with
reference to their employers, the general
public and their fellow -workingmen"
In his advice TO workingmen he tells
hem to be better labOrers, better men, for
'at banding together will be of little
a}ll to worthless men or worthless
case. temperance IS strongly advocated.
m, are told to "Beware of demagoguery,
esspially political partyism, which will
Sivellusory triumphs, but leaves to you
only rretched failure. Be not stepping
stonesor others to vault into place. He
deprec es violence, and assures them that
CHRIST nd all Christly people are with
them 70 the right. The Bible is given
them 1or guide and they are advised to
seek counl from Christian ministers and
to "searcf n the religion of the Master
whom the9 worship for that strength,
bravery, co ecration, which will render
you lhvincloA in your endeavors to serve
humanity"
This work IS not only a tendency to
influence thouet, but is also of great his
torlc value In he opening chapter the
held IS surveyed nd socialism, commun-
Ism ana co-operasn defined. Then fol-
low chapters on ay American commun-
ism' the grown an present condition of
i5'oor oiSdlii%1'ioA IN this country,
their economical an educational value
co operation, sOcalls. remedies for pres
| ent difficulties etc.
One of the objects this work is TO
break down the unres,nable nreiudice
, entertained by many ag;1st labor oroani
cations and to prove to ,rkinomen that
employers, as class, alnot their enc
mics, but that many of the are their hest
friends. An account is Civ of the vari
Gus labor societies that havheen oroan-
lied in this country from no to time
The good that has been acct nlShed nv
them is complimented; the cesses to
which they have sometimes s,e is CON
demned; future possibilities food arc
pointed out.
: Both the black list of employer nd tho
I boycott of laborers are cOndemnt Dr
; Ely terms the black list a refnen,t of
t cruelty. "a man who for any reas, he
it even whim, caprice, or personal ita
| falls into disfavor with one employ =
q placed on the black list, and his nam at,
f times, accompanied by personal desc,
F ton, is sent to allied employers throu,
0 out the country" These are pledged
to give employment to persons on tt
+ black list. While arbitration should
: the remedy in all differences between en-
g ployer and employee, yet all strikes al
Q not to be considered unwise. ''Labore
o are forced at times to hold their com mot
p ity, labor, back from the market in ord,
4 to receive for it the price which the sta
: of the labor market justifies. Employee
+ rarely offer an advance voluntarily, fl
: they are like purchasers of other commo,
, tiles"
r. The work is full of valuable suggestion
X to the employer, employee, legislator an
n minister of the gospel. The student
q the labor problem will find in it a ma
!, valuable facts from which he can dedu
q his own conclusions. 1t appears at 8
h opportune moment and those who ha'
, read DR.. Ely's works on 'French and &c
man Socialism, . ''The Past and Present
Political Economy" and his articles in tt
North American Review, Harper's Month
and other noted periodicals, will WELDON
ont