The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1886-12-14
SEASONABLE RECONCILA-
TON.

There are always croakers in this
world, they a,e like the measles, or
cyclones, or Canada thistIes. or any
other evil, but Notwithstanding this,
the man who calculates on a large
basis, and whose conclusions are wo~-
thy of attention. does not hesitate to
assert that, at present, there is a gen.
eral feeling of elation in business cir.
cles, and because of this fact, and
the fact also that it is the season
when, for the sake of One who was
born through love for man, mems
hearts are warmer and tenderer, it
would be a good thing for both en-
pioyers and employees to consider the
expediency of trying in earnest to
bring about better and more abid.
ing understanding than has hereto
fore been the case. Employers, as
has been fully demonstrated, do not
care to treat with a third party.
neither should they be asked to do so.
The principals on both sides, are the
proper persons to conduct negotiations.
Some time ogo, the managers of a
tannery in Salem, Mass, which en-
ployed 1900 men, refused to deal
with other than their employees, but
the latter at once became stiff necked,
and would not consent to such a pre-
eedent. The result was far more dis
astrous to the employees than the en-
ployers, however, for, according 10
an eastern exchange, the 1000 men
have not had days work for over
twenty weeks, and have thereby lost
at least, five millions of dollars which
otherwise. might have made them
happy and comfortable. Had the
loss of these millions been all there
was to lose, it, perhaps, might have
been borne, but alas ! there was still
worse to follow, for the places which
these employees formerly occupied,
are now filled by Others. and the only
satisf action left, if it can be called
satisfaction, is that they know they
have paid large price for the pro-
lection of their, so-called, rights.
But what right had they to assume
that their rights had been trenched
on The managers of the tannery,
merely insisted that they had a right
to protect their interests to IL e best
of their ability, and they said merely,
"If you are not satisfied, if you do
not deem that you are fairly treated,
do not 60 to third party, come to
US and We will meet you in a spirit
of fairness and accord" This was
sensible, this was just, but 1t elected
only a growl of defiance, and. under
the circumstances, there twas no re
dress left, but to look for help in
other quarters. Think of it! Here
are 1000 men living on the misery
pittance doled out by unwilling COM
rades for no man with even the great
est charity in his heart, cares to deprive
his helpless and dependent family, of
that which is their due, for the sake
of a stranger-and worst Of all, now
that these men are entirely helpless, |
the men who Influenced them against
the overtures of their employers, have
entirely deserted them. Therel is a |
lesson to be deduced from this Incl
dent, and it ought not to pass entirely |
UNDECIDED. Employees must lower
their pretensions. They may drive
as sharp bargains as they are able,
but they must not be so unreasonable
as to require from their employers,
absolute surrender to dictatorial
terms promulgated by individuals
who have no knowledge of the bust
ness they presume to control; nor