The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-08-13
CONFLICTS BETWEEN LABOR
AND CAPITAL.

But few subjects have been more
thoroughly discussed than the relations
of capital and labor. The subject is by
no means exhausted, and is likely!to
be continued for an indefinite time to
come before a satisfactory plan of adj
iustment is reached. There is grow
ing tendency for the accumulation of
capital in all enterprises intended for
profit. Once enterprises Of most kinds
could be successfully conducted on
small capital, when committed to in
dustrious hands, but that day is past.
Small manufacturing establishments
could once compete with larger ones.
Before the concentration of capital,
and the introduction of labor-saving
machinery, one man, single-handed and
alone, could accomplish just one
twentieth as much work as twenty
men in another shop engaged in the
same kind of work during the same
time.
But now the consolidation of capital
and the use of machinery have entirely
changed the situation of the mechanic
al classes, as well as those engaged in
other industries. Capital is charged
with being the dictator of labor. and
the working man obliged to accept
its terms or stand idle. Capital is no
longer content to concentrate its thou
sands, but latterly brings its millions
to bear for given purpose.
An equitable adjustment between
capital and labor is one of the difficult
problems of the age. and one which
many of the best minds have attempt.
ed to solve, but no solution has yet
been found which has met with gener-
al acceptance. If every one were dis
posed to do right, there would be no
insurmoantable difficulties in the way.
1t would be fortunate for the country
If some plan could be devised which
would protect the equitable rights of
both capital and labor.
In this great Republic there is enough
for all, and suffering among the tenn
perate and honest laboling classes for
the want of food and clothing should
not exist. Capital can afford to pay
labor a fair equivalent for services.
Where the compensation for faithful
services falls below the decent sup
port of an average-sized family, there
will arise complaint and discomfort.
Here is where strikes generally COM
mence. When the mechanic or laborer,
having a wife and family. if he be
man of ordinary sensibility, he can
but feel keenly when he sees his wife
in want of the necessary comforts of
life, and his children but poorly clad,
by the side OF his neighbours children,
but his wages are too scanty to provide
for them a more respectable outfit.
There are many capitalists who are
considerable towards the poor working
men, but too many who bestow little
or no thought on the needs of those
who are pressed by poverty. With an |
apparent show of fairness, it is assert. |
ed the laboring men have like privi-
lege Of organizing combinations for
the protection of their interests as the
capitalists have for the purposes of |
gain. But such contest is an UNEQUAL |
one, and the most superficial mind can |
readily perceive why it cannot succeed. |
The lab0ring man ordinarily has but |
little means to fall back upon when he |
ceases work; if he stops long to expos
tulate with his employers, his family |
becomes breadless. Capital almost in
variably worries out labor strikes, and
defeats their purposes. As this article
is only suggestive of difficulties, some
of the methods which have been pro-
posed for adjustment must hereafter be
noticed.