Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-07-20
- I.EarsLAFIoN
FOR All Glasses Of Labor. Suggested "
Present Labor Troubles
80. r-sss.- 81 "a lQsrissrv.

For All Glasses Of Labor, suggested ~ the
Present. Labor Troubles.
7otAs Editor of no REGISTER
SrR:-The present outbreaks Of labor
troubles IN three States, causing the
military power TO be invoked to crush
down labor organization, (the only
power labor has), cOmpels Americans TO
say, ''HaS labor no right, except to
starve9"
Such seems 60 be the trend Of legisla-
ton in this Christian land. What pan
acea is proposed for all this trouble?
To arbitrate? Yes; but arbitration set
ties nothing-only clearing away the
clouds Of to-day-the force OF the storm
will break again tomorrow. We need
we must have-sOmething more. The
position OF capital to labor must be deli
pitely settled, and each protected In It's
earnings.
Labor is dependent upon capital, but
why is it? Because all labor cannot
become capital.
A community resolves itself into these
two factors, each dependent upon the
other. Capital occupies privilege be-
longing TO the community OF supplying
its needs. a portion is supplied by the
productions of the capital introduced,
and when all needs are supplied then no
other can enter the field prOtitably. AT
this point labor can not engage 70 be-
come capital under the cooperative
olan. A loss would result, aud thus
labor become dependent upon capital
Capital is enjoying a privilege 70 the
exclusion Of others, which labor cannot
do. and an inequality Of power arises
which the community has right 70 ad-
lust, as it supports both classes-either
class in uncivilized places being worth
less.
TIE right OF the laborer 10 an honest
wage is admitted generally, but as no
labor organization contains all the me-
chanics Of q particular branch OF labor,
their legislation is often defeated, and
where successful, reaches only the soci-
ety's members. Now, legislation, 20 be
Just, must be binding on every laoorer
and equally just 20 labor and capital.
Such legislation can only be enacted by
the State.
The statutes will not likely say that
certain laborers shall be employed, but
we can expect 20 have laws making II
profitable TO retain old employees. On
the line OF general legislation much can
be accomplished by removing incentives
70 reduce wages.
Admitting the right Of capital and
labor TO make their own contracts, an
excellent law could be framed TO protect
both classes by requiring that labor con-
tracts, either verbal, written or printed,
entered into between capital and labor,
shall be the minimum contract that
either party can enter into with anOth-
er and different party In the same trade
or pursuit, except upon consent OF the
other party % the former agreement.
This would not impare the right TO
make contracts, nor would Ia fix any
price IL would, however, when the price
was finally agreed, step Ia and say the
price is fair and must be maintained so
long as 10 exists. Labor would be pro-
tected as never before and Instead Of
bayonets for honest labOrers there would
be the county Jail for uuprincipled men.
Strikes might not DO prevented, but q
better feeling would exist between la
Dor and capital, and there would be less
need OF strikes Wages would probably
advance but capital would have the as
surauce that 10 was general and cOnse-
quently not injurious. 0. II. G.
Charleston, " Va, JttlW 20.