Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-17
SHERMAN ON ANARCHY.

Like Leeches They Would Suck the Blood
of Labor-Law and Organization.
Senator Sherman carried the surveyors 8
chain as youth, and when he was first mar
ried he started out with the intention to save
and invest $500 year. He is now one of
the clearest headed millionaires of the
United States, and he is noted for his con.
servatism and for his popularity with the
business interests Of the country. Ny in
terview with him occurred just after the
hanging of the Anarchists at Chicago a
dictated the following. 1t will be seen that
it covers the general ground of labor and
capital.
"We have no room in America for either
Anarchists, Socialists or Comm unists, and
these classes do not belong to the laborers Of
the United States. They are cranks and
shirks, who, unwilling to work themselves,
live only to foment trouble, and are satisfied
to live off the labors of others. They are
the enemies of the honest laborer who seeks
to improve his condition, and who hopes by
honest industry to make for himself home,
to accumulate property and to become inde-
pendent.
NO EXCUSE FOR IT HERE.
"Thls is not Government of oppression
and tyranny 1t is of the people and by the
people. In it the poorest lad may rise to
the highest offices and we have no privileged
classes. In a despotic Government can
see why Anarchists and Socialists might
organize that they could resist the oppres-
sion aud murder the kings and do-nothing
nobility who oppress them. These condi-
tions do not exist here.
at is the same with tine Socialist and the
Comm unist. The Socialist strikes at the
laws of the family, and he would break up
the habits of society which are SO dear with
American people. The Communist wants
to divide up with the thrifty, economical,
provident workingman and with the capi-
talist. IT we did have such division he
would want another division after three
weeks time. 1 have no sympathy with
any such Ideas or classes and heartily
agree that the laws were properly enforced
by the conviction of the Anarchists at Chi
cago."
"Ought Congress to pass laws regulating
the relations of labor and capital?'
LAWS FOR LABOR.
IT believe that every demand of labor
and the laborIng man ought to receive the
prompt and immediate attention of Con-
gress, and there is no law reasonable in its
character and wise in its provisions and
within the power of Congress that is de-
manded bv labor that ought not to pass. I
believe that labor should be aided as far as
possible by fair and honest laws, and it is
upon labor that the fabric of this Govern
ment rests. Three-fourths of the men of this
country are born to labor, and l include in
this not only the mechanic, but the farmer
and the laborer as well.
But after all, the laborer should remem-
Der that their relations to capital are
founded on the mutual interests and consent
of both capital and labor. The Government
cannot make contracts and it cannot repeal
them. Every man is free in this country to
do as he pleases, not only in his personal
conduct but in the disposal of his wages and
income. If the employer and laborer can
not agree they can appeal to arbitration and
laws are being adopted to secure this. 1 be-
lieve that by cooperation, properly organ
lied, many of the difficulties between the
employers and the employees might be OBJ
Waited"
THE TRADES UNIONS.
"What do you think OF trade unions?
Are they productive OF such results as that
at chicago?
81 think not. 1 do not consider, as said,
the Anarchists as a part of the honest labor.
ing element of this country. believe that
the laboring men should have and do have
the free right Of organization of trade unions
or IN any other way by which they may
lawfully control the hours of work, the
rates of wages, or any other matters relating
to themselves and their work. Their right
to organization is as clear as that of the cap
italist to form corporations, and I believe
that both have the right to combine to inn
prove their conditions.
1.-THE only limitation should be that no
unlawful violence or terror be used, and
that criminal acts be avoided. NV own
observation is that strikes and lockouts are
ruinous to both capitalists and laborers, and
1 believe they should as far as possible be
avoided. /"