The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1888-02-10
A QUESTION

The Mining journal, in a long article, in
which, despite an occasional eruption of
coarseness, we try to see 5 disposition to fair
controversy, makes only one point' hat merits
rejoinder. Quoting our words that eve
have our own labor organization and do not
wish to join any other. 1t consists of one
man, and be is an American citizen who will
concede fully his rights TO every other man,
but who will yield none IF his own at the
demand of any organization, and who would
not dance the demagcgue jig for all the
offices in the American republic" It says:
ave admire the pluck aud spirit Of the man
who surlenders no conviction of his own
which he believes to be right. But if every
the same vie as Brother Mills, to belong
to . labor organization whose membership
merely consisted of himself; We ask the
question, what good would be accomplished?
Observation and experience have taught Us
to believe that it is only through unity and
concert Of determined action, that the labor
ing masses can hope for the dawniDg Of that
day of emancipation when the shackles of
corporate power shall drop from the limbs
Of slaves"
We ask in reply, What good has been &C.
complished by the Knights Of Labor? If its
idea to have disputed points arbitrated is
not more effectual elsewhere than IN Mon
tana where it has had a board Of arbitration
under appointment: by the Governor for
nearly 6 year, and has never had a single
case before it that We are aware Of, there is
arbltrate what is the necessity Of MAINTAIN
ing the board? and how is Montana bene.
fitted: 1t the benefits of the organization
are to be measured By strikes we cite that
there were out on "strikes" in the q. S. last
year 34O,s54 persons At an estimate by Brad.
| streets Of Sl3,500,OOO sacrificed in wages,
while the estimated average of increased
wages secured thereby is less than one.ffth
that sum. Does Conservation and exper.
fence" see any emancipation" in those
figures? So that in "arbitration" here and
sstrikes" elsewhere We are at . loss to see
what good has been accomplished" There
may be- probably is, some good in "Trades
Union Assemblies" and "Brotherhoods" Of
particular callings, but the conglomeratior
of all these, and al others who honestly o.
dishonesty posed IS ''labore1s" and regarded
or assumed to regard everybody else WIZ
differed from their views as public enemies
some Of which cane under our notice and
were condemned, resulted in many evils
The Journal says the men who did thu
evils were 'Judas,'' traitors, - "assassins,'
etc. Well, We will not quarrel about wha
it calls them now; it is sufficient it admit!
such men have been, if they are not now, il
the organization. Beside, the Knights Q
Labor is . semi. political organization, thei
alleged methods being to purify legislation
This alone would be sufficient for us to dis
approve of the order. We never believed il
secret political ORGANIZATIONS, or that an.
good would come of them. Corporate powe
and greed has strengthened and expanded
since the organization of the Knights, ant
with its TRUSTS" is more devil-tish in 1t
character than ever before. We believe tn
organization of the Knights, by withdrawing
as . distinct element Of itself from the grea
body of people opposed to corporate greed
encroachment aud oppression, but not &C
cepting their doctrines and practices, ha
divided and weakened opposition to tina
power, and encouraged its encroachments
il every man will stand up as = free citizen
seeking and voting for the greatest good t
the greatest number. emancipation" da
will come much earlier than through secre
organizations. These, Brother Penrose, II
our sentiments.