The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-09-01
A PITCHED. BAl' On.
English Socialists and Their oppo-
nents Among English Labor
ers Will Come Together.
How tho Coming Congress May
Affect the Future Of
(. Trades Unions.
The Rise Of Socialism In the Ranks Of
Labor-StrenEth of Different
Unions.

LONDON, Aug. 21.-There is every prospect
Of a pitched battle between the socialists
and their opponents at the twenty-third
annual congress Of the trade unions, which
opens at Liverpool on Monday. September
l. For long time the congress has been
one Of the principal events of the year, the
most interesting-from a practical point OF
view-of the crop of congresses which IN
England the first month of autumn brings
forth. 1t is reported by the press and re.
Rarded by the public as giving definite and
authoritative expressions to the wishes and
feelings of organized labor. The impending
congress is regarded with enhanced inter
est because it is believed that it will
prove turning point in the fortunes of
trade unionism and in the progress of labor
organizations. For the socialists intend
renewing the battle for supremacy in the
congress which was begun at Sweden last
year, and to that end have been busily pre-
parinR With many good people in Eng
land it has been continually source of sat-
isfaction that the unions have been kept
free from socialistic doctrines. they are now
wondering with much concern how long
the unions will escape the contamination.
The rise of socialism in the councils of
trade unions is, of course, almost q thing
of yesterday, and it has been brought about
by the introduction of new men, not-at
least, not to any extent-by the conversion
of the old. Until the past few years, Eng
lish socialists held aloof from the unions.
at whose slow methods and moder-
ate doctrines they cast many a
sneer. There were, of course, few in
dividual socialists in the ranks of the un-
ionists and in course of time some of these
conceived shrewder policy. Hitherto un-
ionism had been almost entirely confined to
skilled labor; the workman whose capital
was only the strength of tho sinews and
the power of his muscles had had no part
in its creation, no voice in it's policy
and only a small share in its result. It was
among the democracy of labor, as COM
p0red with the trained mechanics and arti-
sans who are said to form it's aristocracy.
that the seeds of socialism could be sown
with the promise of rich harvest. II the
work people could be organized into unions.
If their voice could be heard at the
congress, it was thought that good stroke
of sociallstic policy would be effected. A
few enthusiasts set themselves to this task
and were successful to some extent. In this
way Mr.. Lewis Lyons became prominent as
the organizer of the tailors. But it was the
triumph of John Burns who, since first
entering as an engineer had been a
member of the amalgamated society of
Engineers, as the leader of the dock strike
that signalized the success of the socialists
new departure. As the direct result of the
strike there came into being the Dock La
borers' Union, which now numbers $1,000
members and has an income of $500 week.
AS its indirect result, legion of other
organizations have been formed, enlisting
large classes of men who had hitherto been
beyond the pale of nnionism. It is to this
reserve force that socialism looks as a
means of capturing trade unionism and
which will doubtless make itself felt more
or less effectively at Liverpool.
In point of numbers the power loom
weavers appear to be strongest, with $4,000,
same membership as the Dock Laborers'
union. The Northumberland & Durham
Miners union musters about 5000, and
ioiners' 26 600.
At the end of 1889 it was reported by the
registrar Of friendly societies that there
were 2Ss unions, but it is estimated by Mr.,
Burnett, the head of the labor bureau, that
the number is really three or four times as
many. A small part of the great increase
| in the number of societies during the past
two years is due to the spread of the
spirit of combination among work
ing women, which Lady Dixie and Miss
Potter have done SO much to promote
laundresses, matchmakers, shirt and collar
makers and various other sections of work
women are now banded together in unions
and entitled to representation at the con
gress. The movement, it must be confessed
however, has been formed from without
! o,,l vuik1,iv, fhoSp IN Eo In
of these societies none OF the mem
bers at present are qualified to represent
them at congress and the ladies who have
initiated them would not be eligible to ac'
as delegates. The rules of the congress re-
quire all the delegates to be working mem,
bers of the societies they represent, and
under these rules Miss Edith Simcox last
year had the credentials received from the
London tailoresses returned to her.
The socialists tried hard last year to rais'
Mr.. Broadhurst from the secretaryship. bu
completely failed. A month or two ago
some time has not been of the best CAV
notice of his intention to resign, and 9
the battle will be fought over AGAR
at Liverpool. The socialists vii
doubtless make a desperate effort t.
put one of their number into the Office
The emoluments of the secretsryship are
of'course, small, but the influence attaches
to it is large. Mr.. George Shipton. the sec
retary of the London Trades Council
federation, as it were. of the METROPOLITAN
socities-is likely to be proposed as the sue
cessor to Mr.. Broadhurst, while NJ. Threl
fall. of Sheffield will probably be the oandi
date of the socialists.
There is no personal antipathy to Mr.
Broadhurst. He shares the dislike Of tn
socialists with the other labor members "a
they are called) of parliament, although b
few he NAV be regarded az more unrsgen
crate that his brethren for having accepts
the Office of under secretary for home al
fairs in Mr.. Gladstone's short-lived admin
istration of 1886. When the question @
labor representation in Parliament j
reached at Liverpool, these dozen gentle
men will probably be subjected to . mo,
or less violent attack from the socialia
delegates. It is difficult to understan
the head and front of their offending
Their claim to be regarded q
representatives of labor is unin
peachable. Until his appointment b
the Trade Union congress about fiftee
years ago, Mr.. Broadhurst worked in
stone yard, "a his father did before hin
Mr.. Thomas Burt, the member for MOI
peth, worked from his childhood upward il
the mines of Northumberland, and MOI
than twent years ago led q successful strik
of his fellow miners. Mr.. Charles Fer