The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-01
THE RIGHTS OF SKILLED MECHANICS.

THE RIGHTS OF SKILLED MECHANICS.
The strike at the Richmond Locomotive
and Machine Works develops novel claim
on the part of the skilled mechanics which
deserves examination.
Their contention is that skilled mechanic
is entitled TO protection" from unskilled la
borers; that it is wrong 10 subject skilled
man to the ordeal Of competition with an I'M
skilled man. Not-as one would suppose -
wrong to the unskilled man. but TO the skilled
man.
This is complete reversal Of the ordinary
ideas of fair contest, and has only TO be
stated TO be refuted.
But az q corallary TO this proposition the
skilled mechanics claim the right not only to
decline TO work in such competiton-and
they undoubtedly have this Tight-but fur
ther 10 prevent anybody else from working on
such terms, and this they undoubtedly have
not. except by persuasive arguments.
The current reports of violence, arrests and
crowds Of strikers besieging the ccmpanys
works indicate that the opinions Of all skilled
mechanics are not the same on this question,
and that there are some who are courageous
enough 10 test their merit rs mechanics against
laborers if they could only have a fair chance.
Two points in the matter deeply concern
the welfare of our whole community. The
first and greatest is the right Of our citizens
TO 20 and como in peace, and freely 10 enjoy
their capital, whether in skill and energy or
in buildings and machinery, without moles-
tation from any set Of men who differ with
them in opinion.
The astonishing effort is being made not
only 10 prevent mechanics from taking work
on terms entirely satisfactory to themselves
but 10 compel a corporation TO employ men
who are not wanted, and that. 700, on terms
Objectionable to the company even If the SER
vice of the men was desired. This state OF
things issimple chaos. and is utterly unworthy
Of law-abiding community, and yet the
officers of the law seem 10 be able 10 find
no remedy for the evil. If there is no law for
such cases. such law should be speedily
passed. and until the law can meet the emer-
gency, strong public opinion should con-
denim such interference with private right
The second point of serious import is the
injury to the material interests of the COM
munity from the attitude of these skilled me-
chanics. The establishment of the class
privilege which they claim would at once
create an aristocracy of mechanics, who from
their protected vantage ground would view
with indifference the vain struggles OF their
less fortunate brother wOrkmen TO better
their condition, and the hopeless efforts Of
the owners of all the manufacturing estab-
lishments to avoid ruin.
The possibility of competition with other
manufacturing centres where such privileged
classes are not acknowledged would be ex-
tinguished, and not only would existing in
vestments be withdrawn from enterprises
controlled by these privileged classes as rap
idly as possible, but no more money could be
found to take its place. Richmond as great
manufacturing city would receive It's mortal
blow Many of these mechanics, who claim
for themselves this exemption from COM
petition which is the lot of all men, have mo
doubt never stopped TO consider what royal
privilege they lay claim to, or forget that the
day of privileged classes is over in this coun-
try.
The plain and simple truth of the whole
matter is, that thiss, oris supposed tO.be, free
country, where every man can. under the
law. enjoy his life and liberty and pursue his
happiness as seems TO him BEST that men
differ in ability, skill and energy, and canreap
rewards in proportion to the exercise of their
respective faculties as they may be wanted by
others who are willing to pay for them; that
every man is free to make bargain for him
self, and no other man has the right to inter-
fere and prevent such a lawful contract
merely because he wishes to suppress a COM
petitor.
1t should be plain that skill and energy will
protect, and should be the only protection Of
genuine skilled mechanic, and the so-called
mechanic who wants more Is either afraid or
fraud.