The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-05-10
THE WAGE WORKERS
Discussed in the Pulpit.
Eloquent and Able Sermon OF Rev. W,
s. Marquis, last Evening.
THE WAGE WORKERS CONFLICT.

THE WAGE WORKERS. CONFLICT.
At the Broadway Presbyterian church
last evening, Rev. W. S. Marquis preach
ed the first of series of sermons on the
present labor troubles, taking for his sub
ject the "Wage Workers Conflict; Its
Nature and Cause 1t was an able, elS
quent and interesting discourse, and a
complete synopsis of it is appended:
and If man also strive for masteries, Yet is he
not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
The husbandnen that laboreth must be first
partakef of the fruits. I'd Tim 800.
We are in the midst of q mighty con-
flict for masteries. For years the indus
trial classes have manifested spirit of
discomfort We have heard their COM
plants, seen them gathering in trades
unions, and ever and anon strike" has
revealed what fires were burning. This
unrest is not confined to our own land
From England, France, Belgium, Russia,
Germany, Italy and Spain comes the news
of labor troubles of greater or less extent.
1t is the duty of thoughtful men to take
knowledge of this condition of affairs.
Evidently there is bad blood in the body
politic--a thorn of some kind in the side
of society. The pulpit should join the
press, and statesmen and merchants in a
thorough discussion. For this problem
has its moral side, as Carlyle in his anal
ysis of the causes of the French revolt
ton says; Wherever huge physical evil
is, there, as parent and origin of it, has
moral evil to proportionate extent
BEEN Sound philosophy and gospel.
The good tree cannot bring forth evil
fruit. There is something morally wrong
| in the constitution of society, or we would
not see this bitter fruit of discomfort
| Woe be to the church if she stands like
the church of France before the French
| revolution. 'haltered, dumb like a dumb
OK, lowing only for provender (of tithes)"
| In order that the discussion on this oc>
casion might represent the thought and
experience not of one but of many, some
| forty circular letters were sent out to en-
ployers, employees, professional men, and
| retired men of means, requesting answers
| To the following questions:
What do you consider the causes of
the present conflict between labor and
carital?
2-Are wage workers, in your opinion,
| receiving. on AN average. A inst compen-
sation for their labor?
3-What is the influence of immiora-
grafton on the labor problem?
Are our laws, and their execution
in any measure rcsnonsihle for ex,stino
eyilsp
5-Wbat nropor,ion of working men
use Intoxicating Gouors?
6-Wbich are the more conteotad
thrifty and canable. drinking men or alb.
stainers?
What is the estimate of the church
and religion among the working classes
s-Are strikes boycotts etc an on
cient and legitimate remedy,
g-Whai measures wonld Won suuyest
for the remedy of the waco workers con.
aict?
From q study to the answers To these
renlips we find that the conflict ia attrihu.
tod IN seven different causes viz
The uniust distribution of the nro.
ducts OF labor
2-Theextravapance and intemneranea
of lahorinr classes
3-Communistic doctrines nromploated
nv imported socialists.
4-Over immigrst;on and vicious i'm.
MIGRATION
5-Indifference of enployers to vel
fare and grievances of emnioyes
6-Tbe orowtb of irreliGion.
Partial laws. and moor enforcement
of good laws.
Thus we see how complex is this problem.
How many evils must he corrected t0
bring full relief Everyone of these
causes was acknowledged as factors in
the problem BY a portion of EMPLOYERS
and also employees. Yeu there was a
difference in the emphasis laid by each
class on certain causes, EMPLOYERS en-
phasized, intemperance, extravaganza
immigration of vicious classes. and com
munism: employees, unjust distribution
of products of labor. indifference of en-
ployers and unjust laws. The greatest
point of divergence was at the second
question. Are wage workers receiving
| in your opinion lust compensation for
their labor?" The wage workers replied,
almost ,,ropimnucJ, sNo NO ORR no, n
san, nl;,iaI 1850 - d. -. no;
rev skilled laDOrerS ana STARRED superin-
tendents receive GOOD wages but the
,,,,;.u;,,, l. -. - ,y;,h - ,,,;;,,
the EMPLOYERS replied. Wages are fair
and inst All the business will warrant
Never better in history of the world !"
Here. then is the real'ca of the conflict
'1he hone Of contention II il war
far WAGES hs one LARGE emnloyer said
The love of money is the cause of This
conflict" For some reason there is a
failnre in the economic laws which Govern
the distribution of the products of labor