The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1888-09-27
CAPITAL AND LABOR.

ED1ToR BuLLErrN;.--Two of the
most veXatious questions ut the pre-
sent day are undoubtedly those of
"Capital and Labor" and the
"Chinese Question" BY giving
only momcntary glance at these
themes, it might seem strange what
bearing the one has on the other.
But on looking closer it will be
noticed that both are allied more or
less together. Let me explain as
near as possible.
The question of Capital and La
Dor has not only interest for the
United States and Europe, but for
these Islands also. How often do
we hear our men of capital abused,
especially the planters, and that by
men who lay claim to the title of
workingmen. | lay particular stress
on the name of worliingman, for
can there he more honorable vo-
cation then the one whereby per-
son earns an honest living by
conscientiously performing his duties
whether by mental or manual, skilled
or unskilled labor? Capital and
Labor have to 90 certainly hand in
hand, for neithero one could get along
without the other. This fact is
generally acknowledged; but it must
also be acknowledged that Capital
can dispense during u longer period
with Labor, while the latter can not
hold out for any length of time
against the former.
There is no doubt that we can
trace the direct cause of difficulties
between Capital and Labor to those
European countries that have been,
and still are ruled by despots and
tyrannical Governments. What can
be the moral and physical standard
of workingmen in q country where
caste and aristocracy hold sway,
where man as soon as he inherits
a title, has nothing else to do but to
glory in his newly acquired position,
or to go on iunketing trips, instead
of fulfilling his duties towards the
people, who support such dignitaries
by payment of heavy taxes? And
again / ask, what can we expect Of
men who on all sides hear the con-
temptuous expression: "Only COM
mon Werkingman." Only common
Worlngmen, not to be recognized,
owing to their vocation, except as
food for cannon.
Is it wonder, that people in
those countries acquire socialistic or
nihilistic doctrines? or attempt to
obtain that liberty which an allwise
Providence has destined for them
Can we blame these people for try
ing to throw off their expressions,
by taking united action to have their
rights and liberties recognized ?
Certainly not! Every fair-minded
and iustice-loving mans sympathies
will be with these people, if they try
to obtain their cause by fair and just
means.
But then again where there is toe
much liberty, this privilege is liable
l to be abused For example, in the
| United States, where a workingmar
, is considered and treated on equa
terms with the rest of GO millions OF
, his fellow citizens. There it does
5 not infrequently happen, that some
of the working classes play the part
f of Tyrants and Oppressors. Is there
, anything more unjust than trying tc
force employers to concede to theil
right or wrong demands, by placing
G q boycott on the business of sucl
employers, or worse still by attempt
} ting or indicting serious injury t.
life and property, as is only toe
e often the case? No honest man, ne
: matter how strong his sympathie:
1 are for the labor element, can Justify
e such proceedings, whereby working
men only load themselves with wei
4 deserved contempt.
/ No doubt much of this abuse O
n liberty and infringement on persona
: rights is due to the judicial system
e in vogue in the several states. Thes,
/ abuses would not be as fragrant, i
/ Judges, District Attorneys. and al
e judicial officials were either appoint
4 ed by the Governors, and confirmed
s by the Legislatures, or elected b,
: the people as at present. Eithe
n way the incumbents to hold Office
O for life, or until removed by i'm
@ parchment.
i, AS a workingman has the indis
: putable right to fix the value of hi
It labor, just as much right has thu
= employer to accept or refuse ser
C vices at such rates. The employe,
Y must certainly know what expense
It his business allows him to make
n and the amount of wages he cal
!. afford to pay. The workman is a
= perfect liberty to accept or declin
l. work for the wages as offered by TIL
o employer; but should the forme
e accept, then he ought to fulfil hi
d duties conscientiously, or else plac
n himself on the level of thief, 70
Y it is certainly just as much cas-
n of theft 10y not doing that amour
If or quality of work that has bee
e agreed on to be done in considera
n ton of a mutually agreed on raj