Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-05-08


the disposal of their time, must the many
add to their hours of work The working
classes consume about 80 per cent. of the
product of ten or eleven hours of labor
that now prevail, hence, " if there is any
material interruption in the progress of
the work, the working people themselves
are subject to at least 80 per cent. of the loss
of product which must ensue." He illus
trates this point with the now closed rail-
road strike in the Southwest. The capital
list could wait but as the business of NOV
ing produce, food and clothing, represented
the interests of the workers mainly, they
suffered most by its stoppage. The pay Of
the workers on the railroad is out of cur
rent receipts, and these are drawn from
every man. woman and child in the coun-
try at the rate of IS IS each in compensa-
ton for moving seven tons of food, fuel,
shelter and clothing 10 miles on the
average the basis being, for 1885, 400,080,-
900 tons of merchandise, each ton being
moved on the average ITO miles, He de-
clares, therefore, that they who are struck
the hardest by interruption of this move
movement are the 10 out of every 20 hard
working people who consume nine tenths of
the entire product, it being proved that
the actual addition to the capital of any
one year does not exceed ) per cent. of
each years product, or 10 per cent. at the
utmost.
The organization of clubs and associations
among workers, under the lead of able men,
viii soon become the common schools of social
science, order and industry; and these hard
facts of life viii soon become as well known or
as apparent to them as they now are to the few
students who deal with facts rather than with
theories. 1t may then be hoped that the way to
prosperity viii be found in freedom of contract
and in personal liberty, giving each man or wo-
man the full control of the one thing which all
have in common. rich and poor alike, their own
time, which is their opportunity. When the
true lesson is learned by way of these common
schools OF associated Workingmen. il viii be-
come apparent to them that there is but one
method OF improving the condition of all. The
capitalist must adopt every improvement III
machinery, even If II makes it necessary. as il
sometimes has to break up and sell for old
metal new machines bought within a few
months; while the hours of labor for the whole
working force can only be diminished by doing
better and more productive work in less time
than is new required-the present product
whatever number of hours of labor il may re-
qulre, being olly sufficient to meet the present
average standard OF subsistence, whatever that
may be.
T. Y. Powderly, at the head of the
Knights of Labor, in the same magazine,
but more briefly, attributes the many re-
cent strikes to the infancy of the new
organization of labor associations. Until
recently the wage-workers feared to speak
out, dismissal threatening them. They
were used to get the most hours of toll for
the fewest shillings. The employers took
too little interest in the employees, and as
a result, when trouble ensued they were
ready to believe that the rawhead and
bloody bones curbstone orator really repre-
sents labor Workmen, fearing or denied
became morose, and saw in
every act of the employer some invasion
of their rights. The superintendent and
bosses, by their manner, augmented this
spirit, and so when the organization did
come, it found bitter feeling existing on
both sides, and before studying the laws of
the society they joined, or becoming con-
versant with its rules or regulations re-
garding the settlement of disputes, ''the
workmen determined to wipe out of
existence the whole system Of petty
tyrannies that had been practiced on
them for years" Not being drilled.
and feeling that employers would not
treat with them, the men rushed to the
nearest remedy, the strike. So too, says
Mr.. Powderly, the employer believing the
workers organization to be inimical to
their interests, took time by the forelock
and resorted to lockouts. This, says
Powderly, was the situation. 1t was
aggravated by the fact that many large
employers did not keep themselves posted
as to how the bosses or managers treated
the employees. Thus many bosses are in
terested in stores and groceries and saloons,
and compel the employee to deal at such
places, at risk of dismissal Some States
have passed laws against these stores.
These things, he AYERS, are not trivial, but
very important factors in an issue, when
those on one side ut least are taught that
they stand the equals of all other men.
Now, says Mr.. Powderly, workingmen, as
a rule, are not educated men. When the
strike comes they cannot state their case
properly to the world, and so set forth
their side as to arouse preiudices and ere
ate false impressions, and so the heat of
contest and friction is augmented. He
holds, in conclusion, that the workingmen
are beginning to realize that they have the
right to manage their own affairs. The
workingman is to rule his own destinies
hereafter. The power of wealth is passing
away. Every citizen therefore, he holds,
should aid the new ruler. He does not
fear because of present disturbed con-
ditions
IN the contrary tue slglS are nOpSlUi- wen
dell Phillips once said. "Never look for an age
when the people can be quiet and safe. AT
such times despotism, like shrouding mist,
steals over the mirror of freedom. The people
are not quiet to-day. but they are safe.
He insists, finally, that great fortunes
must contribute TO government by
the graduated income tax system
the hours of labor must be reduced
that the workers may have time
TO learn the science of self-government
and labor-saving machinery must be a
servant instead of a master. "Organized
labor says the power will be wisely
| handled. but it must have the cooper
alton of the vast middle classes He
would have employer and employee meet
face TO face; no sacrifice of principle on
one side, or of manhood on the other
! mutual discussion of mutual interests
and every alleged grievance talked over
in conciliatory spirit and arbitrated All
over the country he would have manu-.
facturers and workmen form Joint boards
of arbitration, aud devote time to perfect
| ing plans best suited to their interests and
surroundings, and having agreed upon
such rules, bind themselves by agreements
! Ia hold until cbanred nv cnnsapf If 10th