Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-03-23
WHERE TRADES UNIONS ARE En-.
FECTIKE.

in relation 20 the prolonged and disas-
trous strikes now going on in various
parts OF the country will be an antagou-
ism, 20 trades unions. Only by joining
together can workmcn secure such har-
mony Of action as to lead to a general
strike. Therefore, to avert strikes many
suppose it would only be necessary to do
away with trades unions.
This is but one-sided view of great
question. 1t is not strictly CORRECT in
statement on conclusion neither does 1t
allow the other side to be heard. Even
II the proposition were admitted to be
true, that the organization OF workmen
in trades unions encourages strikes, 1t
can be shown that the beneficial results
from such unions far more than balance
the evil results.
Not least among the benefits OF trades
unionsm is the benevolent feature, which
imposes upon the whole society the du-
tiful care Of disabled members, In this
respect trades unions carry out the hui
name spirit of Christianity, which is too
much neglected by the churches. The
sick comrade is cared for, his family sus-
tanned If he is taken away, and charity is
made living fact.
The tone of craft is elevated by an
amicable association of its members, In
which each feels that in contributing to
the general good his act reflects upon him
in turn and promotes his welfare, for his
welfare is bound up in the condition OF
the trade. Interchange OF ideas at the
business meetings stimulates the thinking
faculties of the members. 1t would be
duh man, indeed, who would not learn
something from associating with his
fellow-craltsmen in the stated meetings
of the union. The habits of discipline
enforced and learned there are of adj
vantage TO him in the practice of life.
The condition OF trade Is made known by
the communication kept up between
unions in different parts of the country
and the labor body is not congested by
workmen nocking to place where they
are not needed, nor famished by lack of
them at place where they could find
profitable employment.
What may be said in favor of trades
unions as among members Of one craft,
loses its force when extended to universal
organization, the combination Of mem-
bers Of diverse ayocations in one central
! body. In many cases what would pro-
mote the welfare Of one branch of such
combination would be opposed TO
the interests Of another. A case OF
this Kind may be suggested by an
attempt to harmonic the farmers and the
railroad laborers in pursuit Of a common
end. The railroaders want their wages
raised. The extra pay adds to the cost
OF operating railroads. That extra ex.
pense must be provided for by Increasing
done only by increasing the charges OF
carrying freight. The farmer who has
J cotton or corn or wheat TO send to market
pays the additional charge. His goods
that he buys from the village merchant
are higher because they have paid more
, freight. Plainly, the farmer cannot sup
: port the proposition to aid the railroadel
In getting an advance OF wages without
sacrificing his own welfare. There is ne
compatibility in the union. 1t is righ
} enough for the railroaders to try to OBJ
tain better wages, and 1t is right enough
} for the farmers to ask for lowe
: frelghts, but these efforts for adyanciu,
b the interests of the two classes eacl
$ must carry out themselves There 4
/ nothing in common among them. On,
+ can gain an advantage only at the expens,
! of the other. 1t Is very evident, then
Q that no lasting alliance can be. made be
: tween the farmers and the Knights 0
I; Labor.
4 Every calling, profession or industr
+ has community of interest among ii
members that demands close associa
n ton for mutual advancement, but whel
J. two or more OF these Industries try t,
$ unite, there is not the common welfar
4 that existed in the banding together 0
t individual members of the same occupa
5 ton. Each in Its sphere Is capable Q
e good but outside Of that sphere the
e clash and produce confusion. The Farm
(; ers' alliance WIN prosper as long as
J. confines its work to Improving the con
Q dition Of the iArmersi the cigar-makers
J, uuion, the printers union, the brakemen'
L nnion, the amalgamaied iron-workers, n
e these can do world Of good il they wi
h limit their efforts to their own world
l. but when they come together and try t
e make grand union Of the whole, wher
there Is no real union OF interest, in
% good that results is not perceptlble, an
), such combination cannot be lasting, 10
= II lacks the element Of durability, whic
II is common interest.