The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-08
OLD TRADES UNIONS.
THEY EXISTED LONG BEFORE THIS
COUNTRY WAS SETTLED.

man-impressivo Ceremonies I'm an An
cient Trade Organization. ~
The labor leaders of the present day
have, as rule, little if any conception of
The antiquity of organizations similar to
their own, similar in that they sought to
improve and elevate their members, vet
dlsslmllar in the means adopted to accom-
plish the desired end. In the making of
silk and silk embroideries the workmen of
damascus have for many decades held a
reputation only surpassed by that of the
Damascene steel workers. and the excel
lence Of the Damascus steel is a matter of
historical fact. The average American
| may be surprised at learning of the exist
eDce of trades unions among these artisans
of the orient.
1t is nevertheless q fact that the work
ingmen of that old and historic city are not
only up In such matters with their brethren
OF western countries, but can be considered
among the pioneers in industrial organiza-
ton and united effort for protection and
self improvement. The traditional rules
and usages governing these unions are
primitive, to be sure, yet do not lack orioi-
nality and wisdom when taken into CON
sideration their surroundings and contli-
lions Of life and compared with their more
favored brethren of Christian lands.
Some go so far as to assert that these
owe much to their eastern fellows for their
regulations. Others go farther and say
that the very idea of secret societies was
| organized and put into execution among
| the workingmcn Of the east who, long be-
fore Europe was civilized and America dis
covered, banded themselves into we'll gov
erned organizations for mutual improve
ment and protection. The degree of skill
required, the crucial tests imposed, the
standing man was compelled to have
among his fellow workmen before he
could be admitted to the ranks of the mas
ters of his craft, were far too exact
| ing to be looked upon with favor by the
workman of the Nineteenth century. and
yet the results. both to the man himself
| and the craft he represented, were worth
the trouble, as Il man who had been I'D
mittcd to the ranks of the masters was
held i'll high respect and the product of his
labor was always in demand.
Each union had it's own officers. who
combined to form grand council COM
posed OF grand master workman and his
assistants, grand marshal and assistant
n grand deputy and his assistant, and all
the master workmen of the different trades
of the city. A silk weaver desiring to be
raised to the grade of master made appli-
cation to the council. a sample of his
work was submitted for criticism and
examination to all the master weavers.
who agreed upon his promotion and so
reported to the master workman of the
trade He sent his deputy to inform the
candidate by handing him the traditional
olive branch" or it's substitute, a bou
quet of flowers, which he kissed thank
FULLY, declaring at the same time his I'M
| worthiness of the great honor in store for
him.
The ceremony of initiation took place ut
the house of the grand master workman of
| all the trades, in Difference to the wishes of
the candidate, if he were willing to pay for
the unusual honor and favor Assembling,
| at the house the candidate was placed in Il
room apart from the others, and the grand
master workman, having secured the re-
| spcctful attention of the masters who were
present, said to them: I'VE have assembled.
brethren, in order to raise your associate to
the honorable rank of master, and to bind
| him to us with the mystic tie and to in
trust him with the grand and precious Sc
| cret of our brotherhood What say YOU.
master workmen of the silk weayer's tratleS
The work and behavior, as we'll rs the char
actcr of the candidate, whose conduct |
have ascertained from all members of our
trade and found to be good, entitle him to
this great honor. Here is n sample of his
work; let the brethren judge for them
selves"
Then an elegant silk shawl was passed
around and the decision was made
The candidate was then led into the room
by four masters from his own trade fol-
lowed by his champion, the master work
man of his union. who carried a large
apron, together with additional SAMPLES Of
the candidates. work, and was made to
kneel in the middle of the room during the
ceremony. When the chanting of various
selections from the Koran was through the
candidate was prompted in giving the
usual greetings to all workmen in these
terms: IL greet all the toilers of the east,
those of the west, of the north and south
with thousand salaamsl Thousand greet
ings to all the generous and faithful BROTH
ersP The candidate was then made to
stand and salute in the four points of the
compass. Then the master of his trade
brought the apron and wrapped it around
him twice, muttering the blessings of Allah
all the time.
The grand master workman of all the
trades gave long and instructive lecture.
telling the candidate to be loyal to the in
terests Of his fellows and to those of his
trade, whose secret processes he must never
betray. He then took n long towel and re.
! quested all present to bow their heads and
| keep perfect silence. The candidate, who
was knecling on the right knee, extended
| his right hand to receive the "grip" from
the hand of the grand master workman,
! which was covered from view by the towel
This was followed by the bending of the
grand master Workman toward the candi-
dates ear and whispering to him solemnly
the covenant and the great secret word.
The ceremony closed with the congratu
lations of those assembled to the candi-
date, general merrymaking and the par.
taking of refreshments by all present.
New York Tribune.
Chances of Dentl, Inv riobt,,,