Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-07-27
DOLPHIN ON UNITED LABOR.
nmn R-rELEcRAPnER AID
DRESSES mrs BRETHREN.


Martin Dolphin, who is visiting Fort
Worth. Notwithstanding the meeting
had been called on short notice, "A large
number Of operators from the city and
surrounding towns were present.
Secretary ID. C. Freeman OF the local
division presided. and In neat epeech
welcomed Mr.. Dolphin and tho visit
ing brethren to the city and to the
hospitality Of the local division.
Mr.. Dolphin expressed his apprecin-
tion Of the many courtesies shown him
during his stay in this city. lie said;
II am not here 10 defend my order
and say what its purposes and objects
are. for they are wen known. 1t was
formed In 1886 Its purpose at that
time was to bring telegraphera to-
Rether into an organization that would
benefit them socially; that one operator
might gala recognition from another
as one employed in the same line OF
labor. Later II started an insurance
scheme, as had been done by many
other ORGANIZATIONS, Time passed, and
telegraphers became aware that they
We're looked upon MS legitimate prey
by minor railroad officials when they
wanted to cut down expenses.
They met In st. Louis ana adopted
protective clause, which provides that
each member, upon certain conditions
htop work In order to gain some benefit
Tor hlS fellows, or 20 protect Themselves
from unjust treatment. Up to that time
there had never been nm organization
OF telcgfaphers that was protcetlve'--
we ARE the pioneers.
In 1890 the O. X. n. hnd grown 10
such proportions that II was able 10
walk alone. and like children IN Tint
condition. we Were anxious TO walk
ana from that tlmc we started out on
career OF usefulness that has been a
pride to us ALI
From 1891 to 1893 the order was In
sirnmental IN raising the salnry OF
Its members In the United states more
thnn 100000 year, which Is WONDER
iui when IL Is considered that our men
nrr scattered over IA vast territory mud
tom.
our order stands for protecting it's
neinberH from those who are superior
70 mem IN power. but who are not III
10 huld any position OF truAt
Labor ORGANIZATIONS are the peculiar
outgiowth OF tho prenent century.
INJURED yeMH ago they were UNI
known. Then we had government
Of the people. by the people and for
the people, We hive such cavern.
inent now, but under changed condi.
tions IN these dnys men IRE by law
allowed TO pool their money and amnss
Wenith that threatens 10 become
Hreater than the government
me telegraphers have to deal with
railroads, which are the most gigantic
OF all corporations, which must be-
lflNuutlf rnniVpIIiftas tI,.. .f..l
they do.
~ ~ u logical conclusion that few
men. usually not more than six, must
manage the affairs of those corpora.
uonH' these six IN turn IRE repre-
scented by ono man. thus placing In
he absolute control of one man the
lives, liberty ind means Of livelihood
OF thousands upon thousands OF Ms
fellow neu.
ITO protect themselves from the pn-
culiar power granted by tho governs
ment TO these corporations mon or
gaui1e themselves into labor unions.
Ann when the one man In control OF
some one of the many corporations
attempts to deprive one OF its em-
ployes OF his Just rights the labor
union steps IN and tolls him he can't
DO ~ that he must give To his en-
ployes the snne Justice he cNpeats for
himaelf This, however. must be done
IN strict accordance with a c0nstltu-
ton as cspllcll aa the constitution OF
the government under which we live.
phc employed must meet the employer
nnd show him wherein thcy ore
wtonged and seek arbitration OF the
differences, II this fail nnd tho om-
ploycr shall got GA a hirh horse like
George NJ Pullman. and refuse to
treat with the men, then they resort
% the protective clause and stop
work
N IS impossible Tor ono man EN-
ployed by a gigantic corporation 20
present HIS grievance 10 the head OF
the corporation, and II every man
should attempt 10 present his own
grievance II would be u Erent wrong
70 the railroad companies. for al their
lime would be consumed IN adjusting
dinerencea The proper thing TO ia
r. 20 organize and delegate this power
70 few men To act for YOU.
Ten times IN eleven. II man has
Q Just grievance and brings Il 10 the
tnewledge of his employer, Il will be
riGhted, There is no need for war
or force, These men wha are at the
hend or railroads are human beings
like the rest " us. md the most OF
them. are good, honest men, who Of
ten do not know Of the dolnrs OF their
Inferior officers IN mIstreeting ems
poNcs, and u lust RrieySnccs pre pre-
scented @ them, IN nearly every case
they viii be arbitrAtAd But some
times an unnrlncipalled wretch, q vam-
pire a monster IKE George NJ Pull
man, gets In control. and then we must
rely on the strike cinuse and stand
for our rights.
"'roo many privileges are Flvon 10
corporations, They are given the right
60 exist for ninaty-nine years. which
is something the creator hoa denied
10 man The time ~ coming when
tho money aggregated by these cor
porntions will multiply itself until the
power OF wealth viii be ten times
greater than tho government that crc-
nted Il. Labor unions are organized
TO counteract this tendency.
'Afembers OF labor organizations arc
not conspiratora. The constitution and
by-lhNa OF the O. II. I. are not secret
but may be read by all men. We do
not meet under cover Of the dark
moss and seek TO deprive men OF their
rights. We meet openly and above
hoard Cur organization ~ as Just
md legal and necessary 70 the wel-
fare Of the people rs the Rock Island
railroad company or the Pullman Pal
ace Car company.
"pur organisation took no official
part In the recent etrlkc N the Amer
lean Raliway union The first prln-
ciple OF our order " conservatism, and
we recognize the right OF no man to
speak for US
'grhe American Railway union at It's
outset was one Of the best OF labor
organizations. Eugene ". Dehs has