New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-10
THE LABOR QUESTION.
A FAIR AND WHOLESOME BOOK.


THE LABOR MOVEMENT IN AMERICA. By
RICHARD T. ELY, Phi. ID. svo. PIP 313. Thomas \.
CfOwell * 60.
Professor Ely, of Johns Hookins University. has
gathered together in this vo uine several articles
which hc had already publish cd in magazines and
III a separate volume under the head of 4" Recent
American Socialism " in the s'ries OF University
studies in Historical and Political Science. lie
has added some chapters to complete the view of
the labor movement and tie general result is IA
very interesting though by no means exhaustive
account of the question. 1t includes succnct
review of the various attempts at conmunlstc
organizations which have been made in this
country; sketch of cooperative experiments;
an outline history of trades-unioDlsm, and study
of the rise. grow til and significance OF American
Socialism. The author is sympathetic historian.
He believes in the bencficent results Of trades
unionism; extends generous recognition to tho
knights of Labor discusses Socialism with the
utmost good temper aud avoids everything at all
likely 10 engeuder bitter feelings or to widen
the breach betw capital and labor
Agreeing neither " it'll The Socialists of tn Q Karl
Marx school nor with those who take Henry
George for their guide and setting forth his objec-
tons frankly and clearly. he does justice to the
Socialists In exposing the falacy of the vulgar
belief that they contemplate the abolition OF
private property altogether. No doubt how ever.
can exist that the popular belief on this hand has
been encouraged by the declarations OF the Social
lists themselves. and We are inclined to think Pro-
fessor Ely fails TO give sufficient weight to the
utterances of that very considerable proportion of
all Socialist organizations which does not really
cOmprehend the doctrines it accepts but seizcs the
crudest expression of their salient features, and
ont of that creates q new and much more radical
creed. Then too. il must be recognized that the
public 40 not and cannot always-draw distinc-
tons between the Socialist Labor Party and the
Interuationaiists of either school These latter
Anarchists. Their aim is to DESTROY the existing
civilization, which they regard as beyond amend
ment The Socialists the other hand look to
regeneration instead Of destruction. They bold
that violent revolution is no remedy, but that pub
he opinion must be educated to acquiescence in
the adoption of measures which will do away with
the capitalistic system. they call it, and vest in
the State the administration of all the productive
and distributive agencies.
Most men regard tie Socialist doctrine as
visionary, impractical or mischevous. Viewed rs
a proposed change of governmental and social
arrangements dependent like all other profiered
amendments and reforms. upon the consent of the
majority obtained by constitutional methods of
course there can he rational or valid objection
to its advancement. 1t is of the essence of sound
GOV eminent that it shall be capable of wthstandng
destructive CRITICISM III III 10 40 tnaI inc
failure must DO its condemnation. The existing
system cannot claim immunity from hostile
ANALYSIS and If it is analysed and found wanting
its critics always provided that they prepared
with demonstrably better system may
fdentlv expect TO obtain the support of the general
opinion. Hitherto Socialism has not commented
itself TO any people. however and it may be sug
gested that the reasons for this failure are to be
found in the doctrine itself rather than IN the CON
servatism of mankind Tho Socialist argues that
the poverty of a large percentage of the community
is attributable to negotiable distribution of the
products of labor. There is usual in such
arguments substratum OF truth IN this one. 1t is
true that the man who has only his labor TO sell
does not obtain gODd terms as though lie were on
an exact equality with the man who is in the
market 10 buy labor. But this is defect which
caunot be remeded by the Socialist method for
the latter seeks to secure Justice By levelling
down-by restricting the possibilities of intelligent
labor in order to enlarge the possibilities OF
tell gent labor. The socialist In fact puts too much
stress upon inequity as factor IN the and too
little upon incapacity And this error is apparent
in the workings of all those labor unions which
exhaust their energies in reinforcing their rights as
against capital but forget TO institute any measures
for the encouragement OF themsel'e III the extern
sion of their capacities and III the conscientious
performance of their duties In society, defective
as 1t may be- the nottingham who Is CONSCIENTIOUS,
capable pe.severng, count upon ultimate
success. But LABOR organizations appear To- pay
scarcely any attention " individual Improvement,
and TO be absorbed I'D securing better conditions
for the whole order. 1t scsns TO that Professor
Ely mie ht have dwelt more strongly upon this
aspect of the question with advantage tor certainly
norhjng can be so well calculated to public
approval and sympathy Tor the cause and organiza-
tion of LABOR rs evidence that the movement tends
10 make its supporters better workmen as well as
more prosperous citizens
There Is another phase of the subject which thi
ant hor has not discussed at all fully. and that Is
he significance of the numerous deroaations from
heir alleged principles made by many organiza-
lions 1t is hardly enough TO dlsmis all such cases
with A general lament aud expression of disap-
Droval. as Professor Ely doea They require to be
carefully. for 1t should DO obvious Tint
The throw much light upon tho whole probiem. MS
indicating tas probable supremacy either OF con-