The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-13
TIE TYRANNY OF THE WALKING
DELEGATE.

DELEGATE.
We believe in the principle of union
amongst laboring men. They should unite
for conference and cooperation upon mat
ters that interest and concern them, and
they can no doubt often act unitedly for the
common good Of all when individual action
would be fruitless of results The labor
Unions of Great Britain undoubtedly pro-
duce good results there but the labor
Unions OF Great Britain are as careful to
keep their actions within the lines Of the
law as all other persons in Great Britain
are. Before the labor Unions Of the United
States can ever work benehcially for
the laboring men they must make
two changes in their theory and plnn Of
organization from what they now are. They
must absolutely abandon, not the principle
Of the Union. but the practice OF its mem
bers that their aims may be reached by yio-
lence and force. and they must deprive the
walking delegate" Of his great power for
evil. We know the Unions declare that
force is no part of their articles Of union.
But it has invariably happened for the past
twenty-five years that whenever a strike of
any proportion has taken place the strikers
have resorted to violence aud force TO
compass their ends. This fact has
been such An invariable companion of the
strikes that we are justified in concluding
that though the Union does not preach yio-
it. and this failure 10 condemn vio-
lenoe under such circumstances causes the
belief among many lookers-on that the
Union in effect approves it. We will there
fore change the statement to this: The
Unions must actively condemn and stamp
out the practice of violence and force be-
! fore they can ever hope 10 accomplish for
the laboring men what thew are entitled to.
! We do not hesitate TO say that the Walk
| ing Delegate in his present attitude and
action is the curse of the laboring
man. He is the carpet Dagger
of labor-the idle, vicious, noisy dem
agogue whose part is often to stir
up strife between employer and employe.
and thereby make a condition of things in
which he may cut figure and appear to
earn the money that the frugal and indus
trious laboring man contributes 20 support
him ia idleness. The strike which the
walking delegate" recently brought on in
New York city amongst the builders fur
nishes forcible illustration. The trouble
commenced by the authorities of n Union
fining man $50. The fine was apparently
most tyrannical and unjust. and the man
refused to pay it. The Union demanded
that his employers should discharge him.
but, as he was perfectly satisfactory to
them. they refused TO do it. Thsreupon the
Walking Delegate ordered strike. As this
produced no result. other Walking Delegates
ordered other strikes, so that in a short
time there were q. 900 laboring men out OF
employment and on the strike. Finally.
seeing that the employer Of the man who
was fined was man of backbone. the walk
ing delegates see that the strike was a COM
plete failure declared the strike of. the
10000 men returned to work with a rush
and the laborer still refuses TO pay his fine.
Ii is estimated by competent judges that
the laboring men lost not less than al, 900. 900
in wages during the time that the strike
lasted. many operations were suspended
and great branches of business were par.
alyEed. But the Walking Delegate showed
bis power. and drew q comfortable support