Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-05-06
BEFORE THE UNITY CLUB
a PAPER ON 1HE LABoR oUEs-
TION nv MR sTONH,
C9Issid rabic sn'e--st shown at the
Meeting of the Unity Club
Several t.eaiIi ,n+n J"tn In tisS
Discussion which FolioNgrd


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| George W Stone read hu ins. Z. sting
paper on the labor qurstion before the
Unity Club IN the Unitarian Church last
night week. There was u fairly large audi
ence in attendance and among the num-
ber were several lending manufacturers,
business men and several wnge- workers.
The paper commanded close and atten-
tive hearing and was heartily hpplnnded.
Mr.. Stone devoted considerable portion
of his paper to illustrating the progress
of invention and the application of ma
chinery as substitute for manual labor.
He could not decry this progression, but
rather held it was duty 10 adjust our
selves TO the new usages. The world, he
argued, was much better than ever before
and only through the facilities for the
rapid transition of intelligence did the
worst side come TO the surface. For 20
years an unwise aggregation of capital
hns sought TO crush out individual rightR
and this condition OF affairs brought
about by unserupulous men, is more rs.
sponsible for the present state of affairs
than any other cause. Society is better
than any of lis parts and il will teach the
lesson that individual enterprise shall not
be submerged by corporation monopoly.
1t must also proclaim stock gambling 10
he Illegal and disreputable, and prohibit
speculation upon the earnings of work.
ingnau. lettering to the great labor
saving appliances now in use ia TINS
country he queried, Win they not enable
American manufacturers to compete with
the lower wages of other countries with
out detriment TO our own workmen?
OF the existing labor troubles AIR.
Stone held they are badly managed, ill
advised and give the appearance of a
desire for revenge, with the impression
that organized labor is to declare strikes
and establish boycotts, consequently in
fiieting loss upon the entire community.
Hasty action must be stopped or organ
lied labor will be distrusted in the house
of its friends. With such means as are
employed men can never be driven, not
even to justice. The case must be made
up and submitted in q new way men
will never submit to the demands of self
constituted leaders, made up in secret
council chambers. They must be made
openly and frankly. In the power of the
ballot box the lecturer reposed much
hope for q settlement of all cases. When
the public peace of a nation is involved
and the laws broken the whole force of
the nation should be employed TO put
down the disturbance and after the Justice
of the matter should be settled. Labor
has grievances and many, and doubtless
will have for some time to come, but
they will always receive the sympathy of
the great middle class and even the wage
payers. When plan can be reached by
which the differences can be adjusted
without overturning the public peace il
will be readily adopted. The ballot of
the wage-workers is an undeniable force
and through it the grievances may be ad.
iusted.
The original depression was caused by
of labor. saving machinery,
an overstocked market, and
has reduced prices 80 low
that neither the manufacturer nor work
men can receive much return. Low wages
has reduced the pur-
chasing ability of the workers, who are in
a large measure the consumers. The
matter must be treated in an American
way as society will never be willing to
delegate its functions to any of its parts,
either to the capitalists or to its laborers.
Americans acting deliberately are able to
settle the question and to do it right aud
Under the general invitation for dis
cussion of the matter ID. w. Bissell
argued TINT the greatest cause for the ex-
listing condition of affairs was the great
number of European laborers who come
to this country, and reduce the native
to the bases of. European
labor. A curtailment of emigration, he
argued, would be judiciCus step.
Lea Pusey argued that the prosperity
of country was due to certain conditions
which, if disturbed or interfered with,
would be directly felt. He referred in
illustration to agitation of monetary,
tariff and similar matters. The present
of labor and its surroundings,
he thought, were much better than 80
years ago.
gentleman in the audience inquired
if productions is ahead of the consumption
how has labor advanced? Mr.. Bissell
the paradox existed that he
could formerly save more when earning
$l.25 per day, than out of $3.50 at this
time.
Henry Z. Ferris gave resume of
Henry Georges argument upon defective
distribution as applying to the existing
state of affairs.
A few other interjectory remarks were
made, and the club adjourned after an
hour and a.half session.