The Portland daily press., 1886-05-07

opinion in public Oh the subject of labor, for
the reason that they were almost certain of
an immediate dismissal from the service of
the man OF company they worked for, if it
became known that they in any way favored
the association of workingmen for mutual
protection. With such sentiment existing
in the breasts of workingmen they could
not be expected to feel very kindly toward
the employer who so jealousy watched their
every movement, and who, by his actions,
made them feel that they were regarded rath-
er as serfs than freemen. While the real
bone and sinew of the land remained in en-
forced silence except where it could be
rostrum through chosen leaders, another
class of men who seldom worked would in
Sist on representing labor, and in making
glowing speeches on the rights and wrongs
of man would urge the abolition of proper
ty," or the equal division of wealth; - such
speakers very often suggesting that good
thing to do would be to "hang capitalists to
lamp posts" The employer of labor who
listened to such speeches felt that in sup
pressing organization among his workmen he
was performing laudable act Yet he was
by that means proving himself to be the most
powerful ally the anarchist could wish for.
He caused his employees to feel that he took
no interest in them other than to get as many
hours of toll out of them for as few shillings
as possible. The consequence was that the
employer, who was himself responsible for
the smothering of the honest expression OF
opinion on the part of labor, became pos
SeSSed of the idea that the raw head ana
bloody bones curbstone orator was the real
representative of labor, and determined TO
exercise more vigilance and precautlon than
ever in keeping his ''help'' out Of the labor
society. The speaker who limited at or advo-
Gated the destruction of property or the
hanging of capitalists to lamp posts was
shrewd enough to speak very kindly, and IN
a knowing manner, of labor associations,
giving out the impression that he held mem
bership in one or more of them. Working
men who were denied the right to organize
very frequently went to hear Mr.. Scientific
lecture on the best means of handling dyna-
mite. And when the speaker portrayed the
wrongs Of labor the thoughtful workman
could readily trace resemblance between
the employer painted by the lecturer and the
man he himself worked for. Workmen en-
ployed by those who frowned on labor Or
CARNATIONS became sullen and morose; they
saw in every action OF the superintendent
another innovation on their rights, and they
finally determined to throw off the yoke of
oppression, organize and assert their man
hood. The actions of the superintendent, or
boss, very often tended to widen the breach
between employer and employee. When the
organization did come it found very bitter
feeling existing on both sides, and before
studying the laws of the society they joined,
or becoming converSant with its rules or reg
ulations regarding the settlement of disputes
or grievances. 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 in organ
ization, and feeling that the employer would
not treat with them, the only remedy suggest
ing itself was the strike. And. ON the other
hand, the employer, who felt that every move
of his workmen in organization would be di-
rected against his interest, determined to
take time by the forelock and turn them all
on the street. Thus we find the organize
ton in its infancy face to face with a strike
or lockout
This condition of affairs existed in great
many places throughout the United States in
the beginning of the present year, Absorbed
in the task OF getting large dividends, the
employer seldom inquired of his superin-
tendent how he managed the business in
trusted to his keeping, or how he treated the
employees. In thousands Of places through
out the United States many superintendent,
foremen or petty bosses are interested in
stores, corner groceries or saloons. In many
places the employee is told plainly that he
must deal at the store, or get his liquor from
the saloon in which his boss has an interest
in others, he is given to understand that he
must deal in these stores or saloons, or for
felt his situation. Laws have been passed
in some States against the keeping of com
theless, and workmen are made to feel that
they must patr0niZe them.
In many cases the owners of mills, facto-
ries or mines are not aware of the existence
of such institutions as the pluck me"-the
name applied to the company store-but they
stand so far away from their employees that
they can not hear the murmur of complaint,
and If whisper of it ever does reach their
ears it comes through the boss, who is not
only interested in the store, but in keeping
The fssbang s sro dFsm aS employer
of injustice to Workmen, for their existence
tends to widen the breach between employer
and employe. 1t may seem that | am deal
ing with insignificant things in this paper,
but when the statement is made that seven
out Of every ten superintendent or
bosses are interested in the management
end derive profits from the operation, of
stores which the employees are forced to pat
rOniZe | make an assertion which can be
proved. In a country where every man, no
matter how humble, is taught from his in
fancy that he stands the equal of all other
men, it is but natural for a citizen who is
given to understand that he must patronize a
certain store, or that he cannot join a certain
society, to feel FESTIVE, and, where so much
is promised and so little obtained, men are
apt to lose faith in a law-making system
which obliges the workman himself to be-
come complainant and prosecutor in case
the laws are violated to his detriment. If he
pIOSccubcS. nc is ulScudISSu. IL he QOeS NOT
prosecute for infractions Of law, but simply
complains, he is told to invoke the majesty
of the law in his own behalf. In this way
law is disregarded; it becomes dead letter !;
men lose hope in law and lawmakers.
The constant itching and irritation caused
welfare, and the injustices practiced on them
by petty bosses, go on until the men feel that
the only remedy is through the strike. In
this way men who belong to no organization
are launched into strikes.
Workingmen are not, as a rule educated
men. When the strike does come, while they
feel that they have been wronged, yet they
are lacking in the command of language
necessary to state their case properly to the
world and hence set forth their claims in
false Impressions The other side, having
the advantage of education, either person.
ally or by right of purchase, can and does
mold public opinion in a great many cases.
! have pointed out one or two of the little
things which cause a great deal of uneasiness
and vexation to workingmen; others have
pointed out the root of the evil The work
ingman of the United States will soon real
ize that he possesses the power which kings
once held-that he has the right to manage
his own affairs. The power of the king has
passed away, The power of wealth is pass
ing away. The evening shadows are closing
in upon the day when immense private for
tunes can be acquired. The new power
daWnlng upon the world is that of the work
ingman to rule his own destinies That
power can no longer be kept from him. How
will he WELD it?
This question is Of great concern not only
to the workingman but to every citizen of the
Republic, and the hand of every citizen, who
loves his country should be extended to as
sist the new ruler. / have no fears because
of the present apparently disturbed condi-
tion of the labor world on the contrary, the
signs are very hopeful Wendell 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 today, but they
are safe, 1t is the power of monopoly that
is not safe. The men who pile up large for
tunes must compensate for that privilege in
the payment OF a graduated income tax. The
blessings which they derive from wealth
must be shared by the nation from which
they extract that wealth.
The hours of labor must be reduced
throughout the nation, so that the toilers
may have more time in which to learn the
science of self-government. Labor-saving
machinery, instead of making
slave of man, must become his SER
want. How will the workingman WELD his
power? Organized labor says the power will
be wisely handled but we must have the CO.
operation OF the vast middle classes. The
employers and employed must no longer
stand apart. The barriers of pride, caste,
greed, hatred and bitterness must be torn
down. The workingman and his employer
must meet face to face thew must discuss