The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-04-17
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
Some Observations on the Labor Trou-
bles-The Danger Of Meddling with
Politics-Death Of an Old Mer-
chant, sc.

Some Observations on the Labor Trou-
bles-The Danger Of Meddling with
Politics-Death Of an Old Mer-
chant, &c.
BALTIMORE, April 18th, 1885.
Messrs. Editors The great mechanics strike,
difficulties with the industrial masses, Knights OF
Labor and other matters connected Herewith, still
continues Throughout country unadjusted,
though somewhat abated to what it was. 1t can
not, however, be said to have reached head just
yet. The riots in St. Louis and other places, re
sulting in death, manning and bloodshed, have
caused people to think more seriously and are al
ready tending to compromise, an end that must
inevitably come in due time. This cannot be
avoided. Laborers cannot strike always, nor those
who employ them. Doing so would finally bring
all and both sides to poverty, starvation, anarchy
and all the accompanying denominations. Strik-
ing cannot make employers pay more for services
than they are worth, nor force those who employ
them to give what they have not got or more than
they themselves possibly afford. This done
or submitted to bosses must come to bankruptcy
and be obliged to give up business. In such
case there would be nothing to do on either side
and none to afford means of employment. The
industrial world and those giving instrumental
ties of industry must come to a standstill. There
would be nothing for any one to do and no means
of making living for themselves and families
People would be turned out one upon another as
lot of beggars. If continued to any extended
period there must intervene a radical change, en-
ployed and employers both dependant and moth
ing really to depend on. We are told in common
or homely phraze, we cannot "make silk purse
of a sow's ear" neither can transform one unit
for it into an occupation or position for which ne
himself says he is wholly untitled for. 1t is very
true that "the laborer is worthy of his hire, and
he should have that, whatever it may be, no more,
no less. Those, therefore, able and willing to
work should never be permitted or forced into
idleness if they are willing and anxious to work
for what they best can get rather than do nothing
or earn nothing at all. A person cannot pay
more than he is able to pay. This every sensible
person knows. Then why resort to force or
coercion? The employers have rights as we'll as
the employees. This, then, is the point for pacific
compromise to which all must come at last. The
sooner the better. as the world is bonnd to have
| workmen so long as it is world and continues to
progress There is no such thing as standing still
these times, and evolutions--though they be in
strikes-never go backward Since time begun
there have been people suited to all spheres and
occupations, and will be until time ceases to
be. Shakespeare would not have been suited for
| "mud digger" nor "mud digger" to take the
| position of Shakespeare. The same may be said
of all philosophers, historians poets and those OF
other literary pursuits it is of persons born to
humber callings Then why should people be
dissatisfied with their compulsory sphere in life
| when they cannot avoid it. If it be, however,
| that their destiny is different and genius and
talent impel them to higher orders they will, most
assuredly, reach them without strikes or compul-
sions. This is always fair Permit me then to
say once for all, that the compulsory or boycottng
principle of strikes, whether with mechanics or
others, must come to an end in patient, sensible
compromise, giving right and justice to those on
both and all sides. Let our brethren avoid riot
ing bloodshed and opposition to the laws of
our country secular or divine. Be it remembered
that wrong cannot, will not make right or secure
wanted redress. Let me hope this will be the last
time will feel called upon to council compro-
mise in such an important work, but that those OF
nv fellow citizens will their errors and come
together in each others good. Going too far now
night be the beginning of terrible ending
Better, therefore, not wait for such an end as it
might prove deleterious every side. The white
winged dove of peace can hover over ALL
Already it looks somewhat like as if this great
power and movement of the Knights of Labor
might merge into politics and that astute politi-
clans of one or other of the two existing parties
Republican or Democratic-mght strive to win
them as supporters and voters. If that should
ever take place the whole movement must sink
into distrust and be viewed with political suspicion
filled with trickery. Then it would degenerate,
becoming simply machine which one or the other
of these great powers would use to their own par
tizan advantage. Alphabetically and truly
must hold themselves entirely aloof from such
willy seducers or they will drop into trap which
will prove their fall and ultimate ruin.
I notice that quite number of changes have
taken place-especially in the letter carriers de-
partment-of our postofice. Mr.. Cadwallader, an
old carrier for sixteen years, has resigned to go
into business for himself. What the people want
is honest faithful, good carriers This, hope, is
the case. Some changes or appointments of sub
ordinate officers have also taken place under ex-
Gov. Groom, Collector of the Port.
I learn with regret that Mr.. Washington Ward,
brother of the late Edward V. and DIR. Robert
Ward, residing at one time for number OF years
at Govanstown, died at his residence in Baltimore,
this morning, of pneumonia, after a few days ILL
ness. He was director in the Mechanics Bank
several years and prominent merchant. He was
q widOwer, leaving several grown children: l
nave known MIN many years. ne was "Iueiy
known and one among Baltimore's most esteemed
citizens.
DR.. Thomas Sappington, who has resided in
this city over thirty years, is among other cand-
dates mentioned for Congress in the Fourth dis
trict in Baltimore. 1 have known him many
years, and being conservative, popular and in
fuential Democratic citizen, if one of his party
succeeds hope it may be him.
find there is great desire and especial need
of having red postoffice box at DIR. Schroeders
corner, on Townsend street and Greenmount ave-
nue., where the ordinary day box nowis. Alarge
number of citizens use that locality for mailing
letters, often deposited there late at night. Can
they not be accommodated?
Local option advocates in Baltimore appear to
have taken a new start, and like merchants with
stores, want restaurants-if doing nothing better
CLOSE their saloons at or o'clock in the even
ing, but imagine this would considerably inter-
fere with proprietors' business.
Several supposed mad-dogs have been seen in
Baltimore recently and killed. People should al
ways give such CANNES wide berth. They gen
orally run straight ahead, only biting when peo-
pie get in their way. They may almost always
be known as rabid from going right ahead with
tail down and froth at the mouth. A dog which
bites person ought not to be shot but always kept
to see if it is really mad or not. This might avoid
8 pot COL uneasIness and the victim has
chance of obtaining the remedy if it be found.
NEsToR.