The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-10-10
OLD TRADES UNIONS.
THEY EXISTED LONG BEFORE THIS
COUNTRY WAS SETTLED.

How q Silk Weaver OF Damascus was
Raised to the Rank of Master Work
man--Impressive Ceremonies In an An
cient Trade Organization.
The labor leaders of the present day
have, as a 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, yet
dissimilar 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
reputation only surpassed by that of the
Damascene steel workers, and the excel
lence Of the Damascus steel is matter of
historical fact. The average American
may be surprised at learning Of the exist
ence Of trades unions among these artisans
of the orient.
1t is nevertheless 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-
tion 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 origi-
nality and wisdom when taken into con-
sideration their surroundings and condi-
tions of life, and compared with their more
favored brethren of Christian lands.
Some go so far as to assert that these
owe much totheir eastern fellows for their
regulations. Others 60 farther and say
that the very idea Of secret societies was
organized and put into execution among
the workingmen 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 a man was compelled to have
among his fellow workmen before he
could be admitted to the ranks of the mas
tiers of his craft, We're 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 man who had been ad-
mitted to the ranks of the masters was
held in high respect and the product of his
labor was always in demand.
Each union had its own officers, who
combined to form grand council, COM
posed Of grand master workman and his
assistants, grand marshal and assistant,
a grand deputy and his assistant, and all
the master workmen of the different trades
Of the city. A silk weaver desiring to be
fni fO hn do nf ct olA
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
"oliye branch" or its substitute, bou-
quet Of flowers which he kissed thank
fully, declaring at the same time his un-
worthiness of the great honor in store for
him.
The ceremony of initiation took place at
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
room apart from the others, and the grand
master workman, having secured the re-
spectful attention of the masters who were
present, said to them: eve 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 weaver's trade?
The work and behavior, as we'll as the char
acter 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 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 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: ~ greet all the toilers of the east,
those Of the west, Of the north and south
with thousand salaamsI Thousand greet
ings to all the generous and faithful broth
ers" 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 long towel and re-
quested all present to bow their heads and
keep perfect silence. The candidate, who
was kneeling 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 Death by lightning.
The chances that any citizen in the ordi.
nary walks of life incur in single year Of
being killed by lightning, judging from
the experience of the past fifty years are
about one in 10000. Men are much more
liable to death by lightning than women