The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-04-30
LABOR AND CAPITAL.
No. ".

for protection of their interests, they
cannot complain if employers do the
same. If one party strikes for an al
legged grievance, they cannot complain
if the other party locks them out for
similar cause. In our sympathy for
the workingman we cannot for mo-
ment entertain the thought that the
grievances are always OH one side.
Operatives seize the opportunity to
strike when large orders are supposed
to be on hand, in order to embarrass
the employer as much as possible and
compel him to accede to their demands.
Large orders are not invariably profit
able. They are often taken at figures
so low that a margin is scarcely per-
ceptible-perhaps to enable him to tide
over dull time and keep his work
men together. If the goods are al
ready sold, it saves the further ex-
pense of statesmen, and enables him to
plan his business in advance; but if
business should revive, it might pre-
vent his taking advantage of a rising
market.
Another favorite time for strikers,
is when great losses would result on
perishable property, by neglect, even
for few days. A few weeks since
the operatives in an extensive morocco
tannery in Delaware went out on a
strike, without moments warning,
even blowing the company's whistle as
signal when $4,000 worth of skins
were liable to be spoiled if neglected
for short time. It could not be ex-
pected that the proprietofs were left
in very arniable mood They were
forced to make make confessions for
the time being to save their property,
but woe to the leaders of the strike.
When business becomes slack, such
men are spotted, and they have no
cause for complaint if they are turned
out when it will most embarrass them.
OF all modern importations, the boy
cotting system is the most malicious,
and is a device resorted to which yir-
tually says, Comply with our de-
mands or we will ruin your business"
and in order to effect it, delivery wag-
ons of tradesmen are followed through
the streets, to ascertain their custom
ers, and the innocent customer, who
has no interest in their quarrels, is
threatened with similar treatment, in
turn, if he dares to patronize their
victim. Such a state of affairs is not
only reprehensible-lt is dan1nobze
When is this thing to end? No one is
safe who dare to offend. A short time
since tradesman in our own streets,
who dared express his opinion OH the
present state of affairs, was peremptor-
lily told to shut his mouth, or he would
reap the consequences" If this sys-
tenn is to prevail, we are already vir-
tually living under reign of terror
worse than Russian tyranny. Neither
the honest laborer can feel safe, who
must live in enforced idleness at the
arbitrary dictation of some committee,
nor the employer, who cannot rely up
on his workmen nor contract in his
business. His property is liable to be
destroyed and his business boycotted.
We predict that recoil will eventual
ly fall upon the boycotters themselves.
Already distributors Of circulars have
been arrested and suits instituted in
the courts for conspiracy. Instances
are also reported In which determin-
ed stand has been taken against the
boycotters, and the result has been an
extensive advertising of business. A
widow in New York, with a family to
support, who, failing to comply with
some arbitrary requirements of a
bakers union, incurred their displeas-
.ure, and a boycott was ordered, which
she, with the characteristic obstinacy
of the sex. determined to resist. The
result was an extensive advertising,
and sympathizing public overWhelm.
ed her with orders, to the enlargement
of her business capacities. That in
dividuals have perfect right to with
hold their patronage no one can deny,
but we do emphatically deny that they
have either a moral or legal right to
enter into conspiracy to ruin the legi-
innate business Of any one. Such do
ings are mean and cowardly, to use no
harsher terms. They are nothing less
than conspiracies concocted in secret
meetings. and the conspirators are
amenable to law.
Now let us look on the opposite side
of this question. The capital of the
workingman is his labor, composed of
muscle and skill, and, we. may add,
entitled to consideration and respect.
Suppose for some alleged offence--per-
hapS he has refused to sell his labor
for a certain perhaps he has
asserted his manhood and right to vote
a political ticket adverse to his en-
ployer's wishes. All the employers in
his town enter into conspiracy to boy
colt him, and also to extend the same
to any one who dares to employ him,
or deal with him in any manner, even
to selling him the necessaries of life.
in order to reduce him to subsection or
starvation. Would not one prolonged
howl of Indignation be heard through
out christendom We deprecate any
such system on either side. We be-
lieYe there should be reasonable safe
guards for the protection of labor and
of capital also. If the laborer has a
grievance, it is the duty of the en-
ployer to listen to it with patience and
and investigate thoroughly,
for no one knows where theshoe pinch
es so we'll as he that wears it. If the
grievance is found to be imaginary
only, point it out to him kindly; if |
real, redress it without delay.
The demand of union men that all |
men shall be discharged is |
unjust and arbitrary in the extreme; it |
is tyranny worthy only of the dark |
ages. Such was the alleged cause of |
recent strike of street car men in New |
York. BY what4ight, we inquire, do
they demand it? Are not flon-union |
men entitled to the same rights to |
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happi-
ness" as themselves? With equal pro-
priety might they not demand the dis
charge of all union men? 1t is only |
might endeavoring to prevail against |
right, and it would seem but fair forI
men to form associations for
seif-protection.
A large percentage of those engaged
in various strikes and disturbances are
known to have been foreigners, with
- h1o,,na of A