The American citizen., 1889-03-01

It is urged that employers shoulo
give preference, in obtaining work
men, to those who are members OF
labor organizations, on the ground
that by so doing they get the best class
of workmen in that particular line.
whatever it may be. We have no IN
tention of disputing this. But is it not
true that these unions and associations |
should see to it that their membership |
is made up only of frst-class workmen |
in that particular line, whatever 1t |
may beP Is it not proper that they |
should maintain the standard OF ex-
cellence in their membership? If an
employer surrenders his privilege OF
employing whomever he will, and con-
fines his selection to the membership
of particular organization OF work.
ing-men (or as is sometimes the case,
is practically compelled toy, is it not
lust and right that the men among
whom his choice must be made shall be
really first-class wOrkmen in that line!
| Now, it is a fact no one can success
| fully dispute. that q man who IS the
NANSoH
man. He may be able, when he is So
! Der, to do first-class work; but when
| he is flushed with drink he loses to a
degree that deftness of muscular ac-
ton, that accuracy of eye, that steadi-
ness Of hand, which are essential IN
any occupation requiring any manual
dexterity. The body s actions are con-
trolle9 by the nerves, which receive
,neir mandate from the brain; and
when the brain is dazed with drink it
is incapable of the best work. 1t is d
fact, proved numerously by post-mor-
tenn examinations of the bodies Of men
who have died while drunk, that the
brain becomes saturated with alcohol.
A teaspOonful has been taken from the
assures of the brain of a man killed
while intoxicated. This, if continued
for any time, permanently Injuries the
brain by hardening its substances, as
the white of an egg is cOagulated by
alcohol. 1t is not possible that brain,
, soaked in alcoholic liquor, can be as
Capable as when it is not. The eye,
the hand, the muscles of the body all
share in the brains incapacity to ex-
. | ercise its full powers. And the work
man is to a greater or less extent in
r capacitated for good, honest work, in
full quota.
Nor is it true that when the habitual
' drinker becomes sober, after his de-
, bauch, he is again in as good condi-
. ton as if he had not poured rum into
o his system. 1t is a law of nature, and
a law without exception, that any ex
>, citement of the brain or nervous sys
a tenn is followed by a corresponding re
a action, which is as deep as the excess
II has been high. Hence the workman
when the excess of brain and nerve
due to the stimulus Of that poison
: rum has d out, is in bad physica
n condition. Every muscle is relaxed
; and weak, and the system is enervated
The brain is weak and irritable from
70 the effects of the poison that has beer
n carried in the blood to its every fiber
10 and the nerves are all unstrung. Hi
hands and limbs are tremulOus. He i
IS C oss, suIky, suffers from blues; hi
a along with" " because Of the relaxation
" OF his nervous system consequent upO
10 the unnatural tension that has bee
to put upon it. He does not feel lik
work. and only the spur of necessit
. impels him to labor. 1t requires
1t strong effort constantly on his part
enable him to go through his roun
IN of daily duty in even perfunctor
y manner.
1t is also unfortunately true that th
d0 d0 drinking workman is usually an al
A noyance TO his fellows. and to ever
MT one with whom he comes in contac
he While under the influence of rum /
on is hilarious and noisy. bother to me
ne engaged in earnest labor, and too of
is. en- grows profane and foul-mouthed
he speech; he is vile-smelling nuisanC
ST. to his respectable fellows, disgraC
Dg to himself and TO the establishment
And when he is suffering from the r
"a action Of his debauch-when he
ID. getting over a drunk" he is equal
pie unpleasant, for he is either silent an
sullen, or else gives vent to his irrit
ua biity in being Quarrelsome and insul
=. ing in his treatment of those wi
nd | whom he Gomez in contact
ell. Now, We ask in ali seriousness.
such man worthy to be upheld by Il
as labor organization to which he m
''0 happen TO belong as 4 frst-class wor
,a,. man, who is TO have the pre.ereu
uy over all other men engaged in t
same work who do not belong TO /
eft organization? Are such men, becau
en .en they hold membership. to be upht
by their decent brethren? 1t would
ave glad day for this country il eve
ON labor organization would make I
use OF rum not only bar 10 memb
''e' ship. but put the penalty of expulsi
go upon drunkenness. 1t would do mt
tn bt1il1 IN tha 1ahnr rr3ars.