Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-02-28
A STATEMENT
From the Legislative Committee OF the
Trades Assembly.

engaged, also the business interest, as
we'll as the travelling public in general,
a few facts will not be amiss.
THE Street Car ComDany's side mas
been defended by different patriotic
.,Americans." "Old American Citizen,
who have nobly defended the great
American principle Of every man doing
as be pleaseS; and In the two and halI
column article in the Intelltgeneer
of the 2sd inst, the Company's side
OF the case has been we'll presented
by two(9) gentlemen; one not we'll post
ed and the other instructs him. Inc
article reminds one very fOrcibly OF the
dialogue OF the organ grinder and his
monkey discussing the merits OF the
late Jay Gould the monk. in the main
agreed with his master. IL was the
general conclusion Of the street car
workers when Mr.. A. NJ. jolly came
into the management that trouble
would soon result. They were forced
10 that conclusion from the manner In
which things were managed. The com
Dany contended for two days with the
men over the length OF time for which
the contract should be drawn, they only
desiring 70 enter into an agreement
with the men for the term OF six months,
while il is generally the desire OF en-
ployers when making agreements Win
Unions to have them run as long as pos
slble, 10 avoid the danger OF trouble
bv a change OF conditions that might he
demanded 40 the expiration of the old
contract. During Supt. Harrington's
wa
governing the conduct OF the men.
UpOn the reinstatement OF Supt. LoftuS
these rules were abolished, and the
road. so far as rules were concerned,
was drumming wild" Some times the
orders as 70 the time Of running around
the loop would be changed three times
in one day. Supt Harrington had signs
made informing the public when cars
were compelled 10 run past street
crossing these were discontinued under
the new management. Also 10 the mat
ter or carrying packages there were
many conflicting orders, encouragement
was given 10 the meR TO use their Judg-
ment IS to the kind OF packages they
would carry, while, 10 the public, In
apy controversy over the matter, the
EMPLOYEES would be censured. We do
not claim the men were blameleSS. No
doubt there were violation OF rules,
discourteous conduct to the public,
which could all have been remedied. No
labor union holds that an employer can
not discharge an emplOye for good
cause. Such a claim would be absurd.
But. on the other hand, were the en-
ployes have reason to doubt the honest
intention Of an employer, and an cpl
sode like the Williams and Murrin al
fair furnishes him plausible preteXt
10 Justify anything he may desire to do,
the employees will ZealOusly guard their
interests.
In the adjustment Of difficulties like
these. where labor is pitted against com-
bined capital, body without soul,
and intelligence without heart. Cap
ital Is an entity recognized and pro-
tected by law, while the laborer stands
alone as an individual endeav-
or!ng to adjust the rights
OF the whole by and through his indi-
vidual efforts, when q labor organiza-
ton forces an increase Of wages for its
members or any condition that work
men are fairly entitled to, an increase
they could not get without their union,
are they transgreSslDg the civil rights
of their employers? Certainly not; the
Government would not allow labor
unions TO exist for a moment II there
was the least suspicion that they trans
crossed the civil rights OF the employ
ers Of labor; labor organizations merely
secure for their members that which it
is not denied they are entitled to.
Well, now, are we not forced to the
strange conclusion that these organiza-
tions assume one Of the functions OF
Government? For II they secure for
their members larger product than
they would themselves get, without
transgressing the civil rights OF en-
ployes. than employers, by retaining in
their own possession this product, &C
knowledged to be the property OF the
labOrer: have been transgressing their
1.-THE laborers) civil rights; and upon the
theory OF protecting the rights OF all its
subjects the Government is as much
bound TO interfere IN the one case as In
the other. There is no escape from
this conclusion.
If any phase in the labor movement Is
stronger than another il is the ethical
side Of il. No class OF society Is less
able to defend themselves than the pro-
ductive workers, and yet they are the
foundation upon which the supreme
structure is erected.
The class who own the earth from
whence the material is obtained; the
class who own the capital and tools by
which production is aided; can both
maintain their claims as against the
workman who is the active and most
important factor OF the three, and this
by virtue o: private ownership in land,
and property rights. Now the work
men only ask for Justice. Accord to him
that which Justly belongs to him. That
will forever settle the labor question.
If the workingmen have any claim up
on any particular class in society IL is
the moral teachers, and when we read
of ministers expressing opinions, such
as the Rev. J. A. Fullerton is quoted as
expressing In an interview with news
paper man, condemning the action OF
the street car workers without inveSti-
cation, and as means of ending the
matter, recommends force, is the laxity
and irreyerence among workmen to-
ward the Church to be wondered at.
When its ministers defend the
heartleSs coumercialSm Of to-day.
system built upon the principl OF the
survival OF the fitteSt," aud defend its
acts in the name OF Christianity, then
we no longer wonder when workmen
give expression TO their feeling, as set
forth by Bishop Huntingdon, of Central
New York, 10 a Forum article, entitled
Social Problems and the Church." He
said, when & great mixed audience in
one of the public halls in New York
cheered the name of their Jesus and
Kissed the name Of the church, 1t set