The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-05-07
HONEST ADVICE TO LABoR.-Let the

HONEST ADVICE TO LABoR.-Let the
men como together aud discuss their griev-
ances, and then come to an understanding
Let the employer give tho men under him
to understand that he is interested in their
welfare, and not that he considers them
mere scnseless machines. Acting under
this policy whenever, during the past
twelve years, VIC have been met by the Off
GERS Of the roads there has been no strike
Every strike by us has been caused by the
blunt refusal on the part Of the roads to
recognize us. Now, who is to blame for
the strikes we have had? Since the trou-
bles on the grand Trunk and Boston and
Maine Roads, where we are positively re-
fused recognition, even for the purpose Of
amicably adjusting the di faculties, every
difference has been adjusted by our broth
crhood. During the excitement Of the
past few months, we have had seven differ
cnt cases, and in every case the policy of
the brotherhood has settled them all. As
far as know the locomotive engineers and
the railroad companies are on excellent
terms.
No man has the right to say to mother,
"Thou shalt or Thou shalt not" and
in the violation fthis principle is where the
troubles lies among the working men to-day
We have no business to say that an employ
or shall employ or shall not employ this or
that mau. A man has the right to belong
to any organization, provided it is not con
trary to the law. We say no man has the
right to say to another man that he must or
must not belong to an organization. Aud,
we have no right to go to the companies
and say: "You must not employ that man.
We oppose this way, of doing things on
principle. Unless man is rascal you
have no right, as superintendent or master
mechanic to prevent him from getting en-
ployment elsewhere because he does not
suit you for be might suit somebody else
The great trouble is there has been too
great chasm between capital and labor
and we should strive to bring them closer
together. There should be no antagonism.
There is no occasion for it, and though l
want every laboriug man to hold up his
head and look his employer squarely in the
face, want him to remember that capital,
as we'll as labor. has rights which we must
respect. We cannot do without either.
Both are essential to the prosperity of
the country. There should be no clashing
etwecn them-there need be none.
When man is looking up as the leader
of a labor organization, just SO soon as he
begins to dabblc in politics then it is time
for you to request him to rcsigo and put
another man in his place They care far
more for themselves than they do for whom
they represent, What did say about the
eight hour law was this: "If the masses
want eight hours for legal days work
give it to them for fair trial, but 1 fear
there are large number of men who will
not profit by it." Many Of those sometimes
called working-men do not make good use
Of their time. 1 believe in working
Since l was twelve years old have worked
And to that question l have never given
any consideration further than to say:
Make the best use you can of the time
God gives you, and if you want an addi,
tional two hours for the purpose of improv-
ing your mind then hope the law-givcrs
of the land will give it to you, and that you
will appreciate it and not loiter it away as
many men do, 1 am obliged to acknowl
edge My advice is, be sober, be frugal
be industrious and practice little self-de
nial for the benefit of those who are de-
pendant upon your daily earnings. Above
all, keep out of whisky shops, shun dens Of
infamy and the gambling table and spend
your time with your wife.--Arthur's Ad
dress to his brotherhood