The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-03-30
LABOR TRIUMPH.

the Executive Committee of the Knights
of Labor close their order to the strik-
ers to return to WORK on the southwes-
tern system of railways. If there ever
was a time when the expression could
be appropriately employed, except in
the way of hollow Boosting, it was on
Monday Truly, Labor is King when it
can triumph over Jay Gould. and bring
him and his millions subject to the
power of the monarch.
Last week Gould was arrogant and de-
fant; the suggestion of compromise was
repealed by him, and the idea that he
could be brought to terms, vas indig-
nantly spurned. His answers to those
who approached him with propositions
looking to an adjustment, were in keep
ing with his past life as one of the most
extensive employers of labor in
America, namely: to the effect that
he proposed to manage his own affairs,
in his own way, and if the men didn't
like his method they could go else
where. They didn't go, however, but
remained, and now Gould has come to
terms, granting all they asked at first.
and yielding to them complete mastery
over himself and his property. The
surrender is of such a character as to
cause rejoicing and jGbilation among
working men, and corresponding gloom
and depression among men of money
and those who employ their fellows for
mShual labor. This surrender of Gould
is the greatest triumph American labor
has ever won, and it should be needed
as warning to all who hire. 1t makes
plain the power of organized labor. and
indicates Enthusiastically that that power
cannot be overcome while it is exercised
within the law and guided and di-
rected By intelligence. The authority
of four great States, was all thrown on
the side of the railroads, in the contest
that has just been ended; Mr.. Gould
had the power, force and influence of
these States to sustain him in any law
full course which he might pursue; and
yet he yielded. 1t proves Gould's wis
dom that he did surrender; it demon
strates his ability to-estimate the capa-
bilities Of the opposing forces, and to
understand that with all his wealth, his
was the weaker side when arrayed
against the men who swing the pick.
WELD the shovel, and furnish the muscle
for the country; he saw that without
them he and his millions were weak
indeed. If Mr.. Gould never before
realized the full meaning of organized
labor he understands it now others Will
be apt 20 profit by the lesson that Mr..
Gould has learned by the expensive
method of experience.
But this victory of the Knights must
not be accepted as an unmixed good
until j; has been seen how the victors use
their power and their newly acquired
knowledge of it. While capital without
labor to make it useful and profitable
is a vain and worthless thing, labor
without capital to employ and pay for
it is helpless and useless There must
be union of the two, based On right
and justice, neither taking advantage Of
temporary power to Cypress the other,
but bothWorking harmoniously together
for the support and benefit OF each other.
The Knights of Labor seem to have an
organization so perfect that they can for
the time being do as they please with
the active capital of the country they
can close down the mills, stop the rail-
roads, shut up the factc:ies, suspend
newspapers, and check, If Aot absolutely
stop, all industrial development and
progress. Such a movement would
necessarily be of short duration, as
the laborers are the most imnedi-
.ately needy'class; they are the hand-to-
mouth people whose loss of employ
ment at once brings them to the coadi.
ton OF want, but while they are destroy
ing Themselves, they can wreck and
ruin the capitalists. as witness the re-
suits of the TIVE or three weeks strike
on the Gould railways.
The danger now lies in the abuse of
their power by the knights. They have
compelled Gould to submit because it
would haze ruined him to hold out; but
he Will either get himself into aposition
where he cannot be destroyed or he will
cease to employ his capital; in other
words. Gould and others will be mas
tiers OF their own; if they cannot use
their money as they please. if they are
to be dictated to and directed by EN-.
ployees, they will simply withdraw from
active operations, and deprive laborers
of the privilege of working.
The manner IN which the knights
employ their power will prove whether
or not their victory is something over