St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-07-21
The WORLD OF WORK.
No More the Footsteps of the
Walking Delegate Are
Heard in st. Paul.
Labor Headquarters Are ST.
lent and Deserted During
the Dull Season.
Topics From the Twin Cities
of Interest to Those
Who Labor.
Local Affairs Discussed From
the Standpoint of the
Workingmen.

Labor headquarters has worn de-
serted look for the past week. The CO.
terie which was accustomed to gather
there to discuss political economy and
other things, have vanished. The at
mosphere is no longer thick with cigar
smoke and heated eloquence. Through
the day no sound is heard except anoc-
casional gentle protest from the janitor,
as he puts the halls in order, and
plaintively wonders what he has
done that the assemblies should
make so much work for him. The
scene of to-day is sharp contrast to
that of several months ago, when a
strike was on, and groups of eager
people might be found in every hall
discussing the situation and speculat-
ing as to the future. Now all is peace
full. Low wages or lack of work keep
many from being contented;. but such
minor annoyanceS have so long been
part and parcel of the average working
mans lot that he is apt to think them a
part of the mysterious ways of
Providence, Possibly. being bur
dens mercifully given in order
that he may cultivate a spirit
of Christian resignation. Something
care to discuss their industrial condi-
ton after ten hours of labor while the
thermometer registers in the ninetieS.
An employer of labor was recently
voicing the sentiment that labor agi-
tators and people belonging to organ
iZatiOnS didn't WOrk-in fact, had pos
tive aversion to labor" He discussed
the subject with an air of conviction
which might induce the guileleSS au-
ditor to believe the proposition both
original and truthful. A visit to labor
headquarters proved to the employer
that the labor agitatorS of st. Paul are
conspicuous by their absence from
the places they would be supposed to
frequent. They have left the city or
gone to work. Those who take real
interest in organization, and do most of
the actual work, can still be found on
meeting nights attending to business.
Its one of the peculiar phases of the
labor movement" said one who has
been Identified with the cause for years,
THAT if man once gets thoroughly in
terested in the labor question, nothing
will make him quit The work. Such
little incidents as unpleasant weather,
OStraciSm by employers or suspicion of
his motive by his friends, may dis
hearten him for a time, but doesn't
make him leave the work. The only
trouble is that such people are alto
gether too rare" quoth the enthusiast,
as he proceeded alone to do the work
which had been assigned to committee
of four. The balance Of them had for
gotten, as usual.
Employers, as a rule, are notstudents
of political economy, and sometimes
make curious statements. The other
day a manufacturer wanted skilled
workman, and had about concluded to
hire one who applied, but said:
"You are a member of the union, l
suppose? ~. >, .o,,,oa ~ ,,o,,,,,,.n
"You will want to work only eight
hours day, l Supposed
Eyes, sir"
well, Pm sorry about that. It's a
bad idea said the manufacturer,
thoughtfuily.
"Why?"
"Why!" repeated the employer, why,
its demoralizing to workingman to
work eight hours"
He concluded to employ the man, who
wouldn't work more than eight hours,
but still seemed like the woman con-
WINGED against her will-''of the same
opinion still" Strange, that no one
ever heard of banker, a lawyer, or
merchant being 'demoraized" by six
or eight hours work per day. On the
contrary they seem the most prosperous
and highly respectable class i'll the COM
munity. Since environments largely
determine character, it seems fair to
presume that the average workingman is
physically, mentally and morally i'm
proved by a shortening of the hours of
labor. Employers, perhaps, don't mean
to be unjust when they make rash
statements like the one quoted, but they
are so accustomed to a oneSided view
of the question, that it's almost moral
impoSSibility for them to think the
Workingman as their natural equal, but
often degraded and brutaliZed by the
Injustice of the conditions under which
he works.
Hugh Cavanaugh, who represents the
shOemakers in the ScrippS league, as
sisted in founding the first labor organi-
cation in st. Paul. 1t was branch of
anaugh has for many years been active
in organization, and it likely to ably
represent his craft.
At the union depot may occasionally
be seen a carload of idle men being
shipped East. They are hired by the
agents of the railway owners in Penn
Sylvania, whose employees are on a
strike. Several Of the men thus hired
were interviewed. They claim that
their railway transportation is paid,
and as good wages assured them as they
could earn i'll st. Paul, if employment
could be found. Some of them have
been across the continent in search of
rntt 70 a
East as ''ScabS." Argument and per-
suasion are only energy wasted on
them, the majority seemingly being of
class similar to those brought here
during the street railway strike. Their
condition would furnish a good text on
the mental and moral effects Of the COM
petitiye system.
All the large manufacturing estab-
lishments are having their factories re-
paired and fitted up in nice shape for
the coming busy season. A coat of
fresh paint on the woodwork, calci-
mined walls, new floor and neat toilet
rooms were noted in one factory. Such
health of employees. 1t is pity that
the employers of girls in all branches of
labor do not do likewise. Utmost estab-
liShmentS where sewing girls are en-
ployed, the vacation is nearly over. A
large number having already returned
to work. and the cutters are buSily pre-
pairing material which will keep all the
old employees at work. Wages average
nearly the same as at the close of the
season, with prospect of steady work
for several months.
The stonecutters gave pleasant con-
cert and dance at Armory hall last
Wednesday evening. About 200 couples
were present and did full justice to a
programme of eighteen numbers, Spe-
cially prepared for the occasion. A
large number of tickets were sold to
those who were unable to attend, and
the stonecutters netted neat sum for
fhpir assistance fund