St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-17
LABOR COMMENT.

a comical mistake appears in last
weeks issue of our only ''labor paper"
The subscription agent last week visited
several assemblies, and in citing the
advantages Of having a paper in our
midst wholly devoted to the interests of
labor, used as an illustration the present
difficulty between the cigarmakerS'
union and E. Ell. Chandler. saying that
a labor paper could give the unions side
OF the question as no other paper
would. thus aiding the union in its diff
Guilty. A member of one assembly Sug-
gested that Chandeliers name be
published in that paper. The SubScrip-
ton agent promised to attend to the
matter. Since that time the breach be-
tween Chandler and the union has
broadened. This week, in our labor
paper, appears the following:
LIST OF UNION FACTORIES.
The following list of cigar manufacturers
In Minneapolis are employers of union men,
and use the union label. Smoke no other.
The Cigarmakers union asks that the friends
of labor make note Of this when buying
cigars.
Chandler's name stands sixth on the
list, directly below the Minneapolis Co
operative factory. OF course it is only
an oversight. The editor evidently for
got to strike out the name, but to an
outsider it might look little odd to see
the united strength of labor organiza-
tions massed against Chandler to force
him, If necessary, to do justice to the
union, and at the same time his name
on the list of the friends of labor, and
workingmen advised to buy his cigars.
The president of the board of trade
was recently invited to address an eight
hour masS-meeting, speaking for or
against eight hours. just as lie choose,
His reply was that he rather thought
the eight-hOur movement good enc, but
he would have to decline to speak, as he
had consulted his employees and found
them opposed to the movement. The
considerable employer did not wish to
speak against the wishes of his en-
ployes. His answer only provoked a
smile among the working people,
but some others have endeavored to
make considerable capital out of the
matter. LIZ his employees did honestly
object to the eight-hour movement they
simply show their own ignorance; but
it is more likely that the employees, If
interviewed at all, concluded that it
would not be discreet for them to put
themselves on record with their en-
ployer as favoring the eight-hOur move
such declaration means usually that
the man who makes it will be hunting a
job in a short time. And isn't this sud-
den delicate consideration for the opin-
ion of employees little inconsistent with
the usual attitude of the employer? If
there is cut in wages or lengthening
of hours to be made and employees voice
their disapproval does that make any
difference3 Only this, that those who
don't like it can look elsewhere for en-
ployment. Polite fictions are almost
necessary part of society, and that is
what the gentleman's answer Is con-
sidered. No intelligent workingman
believes that it means any more or less
than the conventional mot at home" of
the society lady.
The special meeting of the trade and
labor assembly last Friday evening was
one of the old-time sessions, when every
body stayed till midnight. and the de
bate got SO warm at times that the jan
itor had to open the windows and let the
place cool Off. Everybody seems to have
survived, and the general opinion on
Saturday morning was that the last
nights meeting was the best in long
time.