The Labor enquirer., 1886-09-11
LEeGETT,s LINGO.
Concluded from first page

1H6f6 lS ITubu III lllloS W uiCu 10 piOfOu,
" hen strike occurs and the unionists
club the '.scabs.n A solution can never
grow out of such proceedings, as all who
claim to have the real remedy will agree.
But it is our railroad kings who can
With more propriety be compared to
monarchs. They are above the govern
ment, and laugh at democratic princi-
pies, which, when put in force will place
railroads and other large industries un-
der the control of all the men engaged
therein, each having voice in the man
agement. This ls the only way to avoid
being "mere TOOLS" A trade union that
monopolizes any branch of production
or any opportunity to labor, is no better
than any other monopoly. But the
landlord and the railroad boss are chiefs
of all monopolsts. They prevent mil
lions of men from APPLYING their labor
10 the elements that Weld wealth.
Associations for the mutual improve
ment of their members are commend
able and worthy, but associations for the
purpose of crushing out individuality I,
and merging all into one common mass
to be controlled by executive commit
tees, are destructive of true manhood,
and must result in evil and only evil"
Executive" means carrying out laws,
not ruling by personal, arbitrary author
itY. Laws enforced hv an executive,
but made by the people, is the theory OF
our government. There are no associa-
tions controlled as above stated. But
how will the general get ont of the d.
lemma presented by himself2 He con-
tinues:
"a few years ago we had no great
manufacturing establishments. Then
the employer came in immediate contact
with the emploYe. They met on level. &.
They understood each other. Each
knew the others circumstances. APP
peals from one to the other were direct
but now all is changed. Manufacturing
is done in large factories. Small capt.
tails are massed into large corporations,
managed by officers aud hired superin-
tendents."
There are but two methods for managing
industry under the latter phase. Each
establishment will be controlled by a
supreme ruler, or owner who never sees
the employe, for the latter is a mere
tool or else it may be con rolled by
an Executive committee" who will ex-
ecute the will Of the whole in conven-
ton assembled as free men. Thus real
despotism is found in the present sys-
TEN; real freedom is found in the exec
utive plan, which. General Leggett saws
is despotic. He may understand dem
ocracy in politics but he has not vet ap-
piled it to industry simply because he
has probably never thought of it.
The laborPr lis worthy his hire. He
is entitled to enough for his support,
and something over, providing be is fru-
gal and temperate"
True, but the claw of wages" does not
furnish support, therefore, it is obsolete
and must be rejected. The general
thinks a solution is needed and will be
found, but not in our day. J. G. Blaine
IN late speech said the same but added
that he who claims to have the true
remedy is quack. He meant 81, ].
G. Blaine, have not found the remedy !;
therefore, it has not been found"
General Leggett next becomes Revo-
lutionarY. He ought to occupy a cell in
Chicago with the other Revolutlonists,
who probably said nothing worse
Another question that will require
all the genius and talent of the coming
generation is that pertaining tc our great
railroad corporations and combinations.
These institutions are becoming an i'm
mense power in our land. They make
or break the business of community at
their pleasure. They corrupt our legis-
latures and our executive officers, and
sometimes our judicial tribunals. They
crush out competing lines, and compel
combinations detrimental to the inter
ests of the country. Our people will not
always submit to these things. They
purify their legislative bodies and then
grapple these soulless corporations with
a power that will. convince them that
there is still a God in Israel. The
wrongs of these institutions have not
yet been driven deep enough into the
souls of our people to arouse and unite
them in any intelligent action to check
and cure the evils. Those now coming
upon the platform must be prepared for
the struggle, for it is bound to come.
The question whether We are a govern
ment of the United States, or govern
ment of the United Railroads. must and
will be determined during the next
twenty-five years, and l entertain no
doubt but there will be enough purity,
intelligence and patriotism in the land,
to make these railrood corporations take
their place as the servants, and cease to
act as the lords of the people. Twenty
or twenty-five wears from now there will
probably not be an arabic acre of public
land in the United States unoccupied,
When that time comes, there will be
scramble for land ownership, and the
big fish will begin to devour the little