Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-09-06

I
the workmen as we'll az their employers
Why. they said. II we were ali TO 90 out on
that dav n would close the shops up. Just
look ct the great loss IL would be 10 us
and our empioyers. After the second
LabOr-DaY parade and celebration
was held every workiIgman looked for
ward to the thlrd anniversary, so that be
might have an opportunity Of displaying
his manhood and redeeming himself in tho
estimation Of his fellow-union man. To-
day. thank God and our friends, Labor
Day is being as universally celebrated
throughout our great and glorious country
as July the Fourth. This day Canada,
Mexico. and the old countries on the other
side JOIN hands with us and send us greet
ing. They assure us they are watching
our every movement and looking forward
TO our achievements with hope, and that
We can command their best efforts in pre-
venting contract labor coming TO our
shores ia time OF trouble. thus assuring US
OF that brotherly feeling that organized
labor has done so much TO bring about.
SILK CLOSER RELATIONS.
" We should seek closer relations with
those trades whose members are engaged
by the same firms that we are employed
by, so that we may be the better prepared
10 carry on an offensive or defensive war
fare. Let us go conduct ourselves on this
and all other occasions as to command the
respect of the public and admiration Of
our friends. Why are we here to-day /?
Do we parade the street 20 attract the at
tention of those who may be standing on
the corners? No, nv friends, we had no
such purpose in view. We are here to
give q lesson and receive one in return.
This day ought 10 demonstrate 10 the en-
ployer how useless his shop or manutac-
tory or the money invested would be with
out labor
"On the other hand. labor can see that
shops. manufactures, and capital are ne
cessary for its existence, consequently
they ought 20 DO tolerant towards one
another. The workman, God knows, was
tolerant and humble enough and never
complained as long as capital gave him
enough 10 exist upon. Capital began to
encroach on the rights of labor so grad
ually no first that 10 was not noticed. The
working man was asleep and did not wake
until he got rude shaking up by the in-
PRODUCTION Of labor-savng machinery.
Where II took five men TO do the work be-
fore. three men could do it after the
introduction of TINS improved ma
chinery. Now here were two idle
men who were a constant menace
TO those employed, as all had TO work 10
live. The employer, as result OF the
condition Of things. took advantage Of the
law va NuBN4l anu NANAAiaAAh aiAA Atb MaItHs
As hir. GuntOn well SAYS. 1t ls character
istic of evolution that new formations
must prove their right TO exist by their
power 90 establish themselves. The me-
chauic was equal to the emergency. He
formed ms trade-unlOn not TO fight his
employer. but 20 protect himself. Daniel
Webster in his day was man whose words
were thought to be the embodiment of
wisdom and he said land in a country like
aBDva ali HgTa this frrIfH Will hold
good: Ii the people can obtain fair
compensation for their labor they will
have good houses, good clothing, good
food. and the means of educating their
families labor will DO cheerful and the
people happy. The great interest OF this
country Is labor
ENCEoACHMENT5 OF CAPITAL.
This from a man so eminent in his day
and time is worth consideration. He fore
saw tho encrOachmeuts of capital upon the
rights OF labor and could not let the OPP
uortunity pass without warning the people
Of the approaching danger. Political
economists and writers on the labor pro-
Diem generally have suggested and advO-
Gated many plans looking forward to the
betterment of the working classes, bat
have not so far presented any remedy for
their relief PrOfit-shsring has been sug-
gested as the best and sures. way out Of
this trouble. Let US see whether It is
from our STANDPOINT. / know of one
instance where a frm-E. G. Adkins q Co.,
saw lakers and manufacturers of mlll-sup-
plies. Indianapolis. Ind.--ofered the
boon TO their men on condition that they
give up their organization. The men IN
their employ didn't flock to the Office vory
fast. Mr.. Adams Was growing lmpati mt
and injured Of some OF his workmen what
the trouble was. They said they did not
understand It. He then invited one class
OF his workmen (the saw-makers) to his
house to talk the matter over with them
aud explain his method of prOht-sharlng,
which he proceeded to do in this manner:
Now, boys, when you 20 into this matter
YOU don't need an organization, as we VIII
all share alike IN accordance with the
amount of capital we have invested. We
have $500. 900 invested in our business
here. We want per cent. out of that be
fore we commence prOft-sharlng. Alter
that is taken out we will then share
the remainder pro rata III proportion
TO the amount Of pay each receives. After
considerable argument in the same strain
he asked the men what they thought OF II.
They told him that they wanted 20 talk
the matter over among themselves, and
would give him an answer IN threo DAYS.
They held a special meeting and began
figuring the proposition in this manner;
II Dir. Adkins is honest, why should lie
want Us 10 give ny our umonF lie IL
yaluing his plant at S5O0,OlO when II Is
ONLY taxed 1851. 600. Take per cent. from
5000 600 Will make SO. 600 That's the
COMMANDS interest on their investment.
They then come in under the profit.
Sharing again with their large salaries,
the men figured IL out that a mechanic
earning - per day would receive about
$1,000 as his share of the profits per an-
mum. 10 the everlasting credit or the
men be II sud. they declined the PROPOSE
tion unanimously.
THOUGHT THY ACTED PROPERLY.
Il hear some one ask were they not
foolish to decline the $3.50; they would
be that much ahead. What assurance nad
they that hey would be anything aheadr
II there WAS no profit there would be no
sharing. Their union would be busted"
and they would have lost that which IS IN
fnitrlv more precious than the few dol
lars they were promised -selfrespect.
My friends. our only hope at present IS
our trade union. Stick to 1t; be always
ready and willing 10 do any work assigned
Won by your lodge. Attend your meet
lngs. pay your dues ana assessments
promptly. Live mp to your constitution,
and see that others do the same. One
great trouble among us working people IS
the aristOcracy that has sprung mp among
u. How immensely ridiculous IS the
aristocracy of labor and how, I'M
mensely contemplate the man who as
sumes arrogant ways, amt vastly
more contemplate are the men who toie-
rate the odious manners of those VINO as
sumo superiority. We have men IN our
organizations Of this kind. Nothing IS
right If il does not originate with them
But they are never willing 70 perform any
duty assigned them, but are ready at al
times 10 crlticise the action OF others. IL
everything doesn't 20 their way they stay
away from the meetings, and # asked why
they don't attend they say: " On, Well 1
don't care about attending. Those fellows
don't do business 10 suit me" As much
as to saw III they don't do business az
direct 1 won't attend" When YOU elect
officers give them every support DO COM
mittee work cheerfulIy, and when meih-
Der loses time pay him his days wages
cheeriulIy. because he is as much entitle9
10 it from you as he would be from any
other employer, and remember that yon
have no right to ask your brother 10 give
this time and that he can't afford IT.
ATEw TIMELY SUGGESTIONS.
"If any Of US should be fortunate enough
TO be sent from our unions as delegates 10