St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-05-05
TIE LABOR PROBLEM.
Rev. s. w. Sample Talks to Work.
ingmen.

ingmen.
Rev. S. W. Sample delivered an adj
dress at the Bijou theater yesterday
afternoon on ''Rights and Wrongs of
lWorkingmen." The question was not
discussed from pulpit standpoint.
although the speaker deplored the fact
that the subject had been noticed so
little by the ministers of the country.
He said that the wOrkingmen had
wrongs to be redressed, and it
was time that the people. as
whole, realized the fact that the
Wofkingman had rights, and then the
wrongs might be righted. The ques-
ton, he said, should not be discussed
from a commercial standpoint alone,
and it was difficult to tell what would
be foolish ana what eXpedient; but one
great fact stood out plain and distinct,
rule of nature. that right would rule
at last. The mere pulsation of mans
heart had iO~ce enough in time to wear
time the great heart of humanity will
wear the granite of injustice to dust.
He recited Dickens tale Of "Oiver
Twist" and how he asked for more
broth, to the horror Of the master, and
said that in the same way the working
man was asking now for more, also to
the horror of his taskmaster. Ed At
kinson, he said, told labor that it al
ready got 80 per cent of the proceeds;
why then should it ask for more? That
might be true; but he neglected to
state that large percentage of the
Workingmen of the country remained
unemployed. 1t was time for people to
stop and study over the situation. 1t
was time to stop and listen at least to
the demands of the man who works for
his daily bread. The time for the pull
pit to keep closed mouth about the
labor question had gone, and it should
at once study up the great industrial
situation and then go before the public
and tell the truth.
Napoleon, when crossing the Red sea,
getting caught in the quicksands, gave
orders that every man should ride out
in different directions, and the first one
There were sands about the t0iler; let
every man ride out, and he who first
finds solid ground, call out.
Speakers claim that the situation Of
the laboring men in Europe is worse
than it is in America. and expect to
silence the demand OF labor by that cry.
"The condition of the political eXileS in
Siberia" said be, ''is better than than
that of the inhabitants of the internal
regions. but that is no argument in
favor of the pleasant life of the exile.
If mans wages are better than they
were in 1850, are they increased in a
ratio with the productive capacity of
machinery?
1.-The wealth of the United States is
enormous. Between 1860 and 1880 the
wealth increased 170 per cent. and has
kept on increasing until the riches of
America are only excelled by those of
England. Does that argue we'll for the
treatment of the labOring man? Re-
member that 100000 men own so per
cent of the wealth Of the Union. How
did they attain to such riches if the
.laboring man received copper cent of the
earnings? Riches have been the ulti-
mate ruin OF every great state: There
is no future for a stratited civilization"
He believed in beginning at the foun-
idation in raising the superStructufe.
The poor laborer should have his con
dition improved at once. and skilled
labor and society in general would be
benefited. He urged that workingmen
should organize, for it was the only
way they could better their condition.
OF course they made mistakes, even
ministers made mistakes. but he would
Like to know who had monopoly on the
mistakes in this world. 1t was organ
lied labor that was getting the legisla-
ton that was somewhat improving their
condition. He roasted the employers
who presented iron-clad contracts for
their men to sign, and said that the
only excuse men could have for sigh
ing them was that their family was at
home sick or suffering.
The audience was large one, many
workingmen being present, and the
speaker was often interrupted by loud
and continued applause.