Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-11-29
GLADSTONE ON LABOR.
An Eloquent Appeal in Behalf of the
workingman.

Workingman.
IBy AngIo-American cable 70 the Dispatchl.
LONDON, November 2s.-Mr. Gladstone
was to-day participant in the exercises
attending the formal opening of recrea-
ton hall near Birkenhead, and was one OF
the speakers. He said the newspapers
were teeming with reports Of political adj
dresses, but that however much he de-
sired not TO speak it was Impossible that
he should remain altogether silent, be-
cause such silence might be misconstrued.
The antiquities of the position OF the So
called Liberal Unionists were now lift
ed. The last shred of their pretext OF
liberalism has been removed by Lord Hart
ington's frankness. This left the battle 70
be- manfully and good humoredly, he
hoped, fought out between the Liberals
and Tories, and now that the field was
cleared for action he might say that the
Liberals had no reason to shrink from tue
fight.
THE LABOR PROBLEM.
After q sarcastic reference to Lord Sails
bury's position regarding home rule for
Ireland, Mr.. Gladstone dealt at length
with the labor question. He said that
idle wealth was far worse than heavy Ia
Dor. The laborer had legitimate place
in Gods creation, but no place had been
appointed for the idle wealthy man. TO
his lGladstone's) mind there was no cause
for alarm as TO the future of the working
man. He did not believe that there couIq
be q permanent fight between capital and
labor because he believed IN the good
sense and good feeling of both parties.
The problem could be- solved not by magic
or mathematics, out by sound, civil,
secular, and Christian feeling and respect
for mutual rights. Only within a few
years had the labor party become strong.
COOPERATIVE DISTRIBUTION AND PRODUCTION.
The system of proht-sharipg was most
attractive as an adjustment, but then
came the question OF now II was 10 be ad-
iusted IN those years III which there was
loss instead of profit. In any case 1t was
most important to give the laborer the
same interest in production az The capl-
tallst, 10 this end he looked with conf
dence in view of the good disposition dis
played on each side. Doubtless strikes
helped the workers. cause, but ne
thought all would agree that they
were only adapted TO what he
might call q rude state OF industry.
1t was to be hoped that the workman was
now IN q better position than TO be COM
PEELED TO have recourse TO such wasteiuI
methods. Much might be hoped from CO.
operative distribution and production to-
wards a solution of the problem, because
tins would give the laborer the same posi-
ton and feeling as the capitalist. Workers
were no more exempt from intrmlty. than
other men, and the intoXication OF the
power they had won might bewilder them
as it bewlldered others; yet he had sum-
Gent belief IN the character of his coun-
trymen to hold the conviction that these
errors would correct themselves.
AN ELOQUENT APPEAL.
In an eloquent peroration, Mr.. Glad
stone appealed TO employers to give the
workers, besides an increase OF wages ana
q decrease OF hours, common feeling
with their employees; to establish
brotherhood OF man and man; TO look to
the heart and conscience. as well as 70 the
appetite and ambition for solution of
| these dificulties-above all to look TO the
Providence that shapes our ends. and re-
collect the sacred words: Behold how
good and pleasant a thing IL is for breth-
rem 10 dwell together in unity"