The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-02-23
LABOR UNIONS.


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 1t that their membership
is made up only of first-class workmen
in that particular line, whatever it
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-
of a particular organization of work
ing-men Cor, as is sometimes the case.
is practically compelled toy, is it not
just and right that the men among
whom his choice must bemade shall be
really first-class workmen in that line?
Now, it is a fact no one can success
fully dispute, that a man who is the
slave of rum is not a first-class work
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 d
degree that dizziness 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-
trolled by the nerves. which receive
Uneir mandate from the brain; and
when the brain is dazed with drink it
Is incapable of the best work. 1t is a
fact, proved numerously by post-mor-
tenn examinations of the bodies of men
who have died while drunk, that the
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 coaguated by
alcohol. 1t is not possible that a 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 OK
ercise its full powers. And the work.
man is to a greater or less extent in
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
his system. 1t is law of nature, and
a law without exception, that any ex-
citement Of the brain or nervous sys-
tenn is followed by a corresponding re-
action, which is as deep as the excess
has been high. Hence the workman,
when the excess of brain and nerve
due to the stimulus of that poison.
rum, has died out, is in bad physical
condition. Every muscle is relaxed
and weak, and the system is enervated.
The brain is weak and irritable from
the effects of the poison that has been
carried in the blood to its every fiber,
and the nerves are all unstrung. His
hands and limbs are tremulous He is
cross, sulky, suffers from blues; his
fellow-workmen find him ''hard to get
along with" because of the relaxation
OF his nervous system consequent upon
the unnatural tension that has been
put upon it. He does not feel like
work. and only the spur of necessity
impels him to labor. 1t requires a
strong effort constantly on his part to
enable him to go through his round
of daily duty in even a perfunctory
manner.
1t is also unfortunately true that the
drinking workman is usually an an
noyance TO his fellows. and to every
one with whom he comes in contact.
While under the influence of rum he
is hilarious and noisy, a bother to men
engaged in earnest labor, and too oft
en- grows profane and sfoul-mouthed in
speech; he is vile-smelling nuisance
to his respectable fellows, disgrace
to himself and TO the establishment.
And when he is suffering from the re-
action of his debauch-when he is
''getting over drunk"-he is equally
unpleasant, for he is either silent and
sullen. or else gives vent to his irrita-
bility in being quarrelsome and insult
ing in his treatment of those with
whom he comes in contact
Now, we ask in all seriousness, is
such a man worthy to be upheld by the
labor organization to which he may
happen to belong as first-class work
man, who is to have the preference
over all other men engaged in the
same work who do not belong to the
organization Are such men, because
they hold membership, to be upheld
by their decent brethren? 1t would be
glad day for this country if every
labor organization would make the
use of rum not only bar to member
ship. but put the penalty of expulsion
upon drunkenness. 1t would do more
to build up the labor orders in
the estimation Of the people than any
thing else that COLD be done, if they