The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-05-29
LABOR TROUBLES

The first of May has passed and nc
very serious troubles have arisen in the
labor world. 1t will be remembered that
this was the date fixed upon by some OF
the labor organizations for strike fol
eight hours day as the mdrimuBl for a
days labor. This scheme had been
planned and talked about and promul-
gated until people hal come to
think that something was going
to be done at the appointed time. In
this country no violent demonstrations
were feared. In the old world there were
fears of trouble with Socialists and An
aIchists, and in Paris particularly the
police and the military made ready to
meet any riotous demonstrations. This
readiness saved the demonstrations. In
this country it is thought that the recent
strikes and consequents in the coke re-
gions of Pennsylvania had tendency to
suppress any extensive demonstrations
throughout the mining regious. 1t was
among the miners that most talk had
been made and from whom most was to
be feared. We have had strikes enough,
however, to demonstrate to the most ig-
nOrant foreigner that these cannot be
carried out to successful terminate IN
without money. The recent strikes
among the coke wOrkmen had so far ex-
hausted funds that it was thought I'M
wise to take the risks of more general
strike. There were some local strikes
here and there, arising in part from local
causes, but really forming no part of a
general movement. In the case of most
if not all of these, there will doubtless be
an adjustment of difficulties between en-
| nj aud ntnnlAyan and Nun 1y,,,l
for a quiet summer in the labor world.
All this will cOnduce to a season of pros
perity among us. Should the weather
be favorable and the crops abundant, a
better feeling will prevail among all
classes. 1t should be noted here, as has
been often done before, that most of our
labor troubles have their roots in the old
world. If they are brought over and set
out in our own soil we are not altogether
blameless. In the desire to secure cheap
labor, we have brought here or encour-
aged to come here ignorant laborers
among whom were any quantity of
vicious people, plotters of mischief,
turbulent, etc. Results that have fol
lowed the immigration of such kind of
labOTers ought to impress upon us the
necessity of greater care in admitting
guard our labOrers so as to secure to
them the best results of their labors, at
the same time we do not believe in the
tyranny of capital. We call this a free
country. Every laboring man has the
right to sell his labor in any market
where lie can find purchaser. There
are no hard and fast lines along which
he must direct his course except such as
fpf,ut Calliul t,nf,tiuDu lao hfu,ga1f
establish. These he strips out of the
way when they interfere with opportuni-
ties for improving his condition Claim
ing these privileges to which they are
entitled under our civil system, they are
in duty bound to cOnccde to capitalists
all that they claim for themselves.
Every man who employs labor has the
right to hire whOmsoever he pleases and
at such prices rs can be agreed upon be-
tween them. There are no hard and fast
lines determining the kind of e'p or the
kind of labor an employer shall use, or
the price he shall pay for it, There are
times when certain kinds of labor are
scarce and those who buy it must pay a
high price for it. Farm labor in many
sections has come under this head. There
are times when certain kinds of labor in
certain localities are abundant and prices
are low. There is no justice in attempt
ing TO force the employer to pay high
prices when he can hire at low prices.
The laborer in any one direction must be
helped by re adjustment of the labor
market. Forces must be gradually
drawn off from those points where there
is a surplus and directed to those points
where there is scarcity. This can usu-
ally be done in such way as to create
no violent commOtion in the labor mar
ket This is the method that best ac-
cords with American ideas. These are
the ideas we are in duty bound to keep
uppermost i'm the running of our social
and civil machinery. We must shut out
old world ideas which are too highly
cOlOTed with tyranny, and maintain in
full force our own distinctive principles.
Capitalists are charged with seliishness.
LabOTers are no less selfish according to
their measure. The way is open 10 la
bOrers to enter the capitals class and
many are continually doing this In our
free country Of changing fortunes. There
is no law nor custom to preventany man
in this country from becoming million
aire, and while limitations of wealth
forbid that every one should amass such
q vast fortune, IL does not come within
the range of possibility for every labor
or 10 become a capitalist, so far as law
and custom are concerned. The more
we can teach our laborere to practice
economy, prudence and all the saving
virtues of which many are now so ncgli-
gent, the sooner they will pass over into
the capitalist class, even though not far
up in it. To accomplish this object is