The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-09-04

had refused TO interfere in behalf OF the
employees, interfered in behalf Of the en-
ployers. The leaders of the strike were ar
rested and sent 70 Jail for the ''erime of
combination" All laws for the protection
Of workingmen were repealed. and trade
unions we're outlawsd. For man 20 ask
for higher wages was an offense; for sew
eral to do so CONFORMITY was treason. An
employer might lock out his men at will;
but for them 10 60 ont on peaceful strike
was felony. Men were sent 20 prison for
refusing TO work for reduced wages, for
peaceably meeting together 10 discuss the
interests Of their trade. and even for de-
batting the question of wages with their
employers at the latter's own suggestion
and request.
Trades unions In that day we're secret
and oath bound, meeting at night in fields
and woods and booming the ''informer"
to death.
In is2i the antl-combination laws were
repealed. This was the first great achieve
ment of trade unionism in Great Britain.
Combination was legalized and the rights
OF collective bargaining and concerted
striking were established.
In Iss0-s4 the British government under
Lord Melbourne had laws enacted against
the oath-bound unions. Strike leaders
were sent to Jail; some Of them, by tyran-
nical perversion Of justice. transported.
By the middle of 1884 the Unions were
wrecked and largely disbanded, or merged
into Charts. and anti-corn law leagues.
Then came the leadership of Golden
and Bright, who sought to secure industrial
freedom and destroy all legal discrimina-
ton agaIns.s the wage-earners. Efforts
we're made 20 abolish overtime and to
limit the number OF apprentices. An emf
grafton fund was formed TO relieve the
congestion Of over-crowded populations;
aud strikes were deplored, discouraged.
forbidden. The public was invited to in
spect the workings of the unions. The
famous Amalgamated Society of Engineers
and similar organizations sprang into be-
ing. huge friendly" or mutual benefit,
societies accommodating large reserve funds
for the good OF their members.
In is58-5T the hard times caused strikes
which the unions, powerless TO prevent.
were constrained to support Then came
the organization of labor as q political
force. As late as 1868 the English law dis
criminated against the wage-earner. For
breach of contract OF service an employer
could merely be sued for damages, but the
employe was liable to be imprisoned for
three months. A master sued BY servant
could be witness in his own behalf, but 8
servant prosecuted by HE master was In
eompetent 20 testify.
These laws we're largely repealed in 1867
| In 1900 league Of employers was formed
against the trade unions and extensive
| Iockouts OF union men prevailed. These
we're purely sympathetic" loekouts. just
| as We nowadays have sympathetic"
| strikes, aud in consequences industry was
paralyxed and trade was Frustrated.
| Frederic Harrison and Thomas Hughes,
| distinguished members of parliament, car
| RED the day FOR the unions. and tho hither-
to hostile London Times declared in speak.
| ing OF The unions that true statssmanship
will seek neither % augment nor 10 re-
| duos their influence. but. accepting il as a
fact, will give it free score for legitimate
| development"
In isea legislation was secured which
/ protected the funds OF tho unions and
/ made shem exempt from liability TO be
sued or otherwise proceeded against q,
oorporalions- by 1874 complete legislation
| VAS secured, and employer and employs
stood on the same ground before the law.
Better treatment Of employees. especially
| in mines and cotton mills. was secured
and. after hard struggle. the nine-hour
/ day vas adopted.
| Up 10 ISIS trade unionism was distinctly
indivsdnalixed and aati-socialist, bat SINGS
/ ISIS unlonism and socialism have been
rapidly becoming Identical. John Burn,
and Tom Mann. the leaders OF the unions
| OF today la Enriaud. are socialists pure
| aud simple, aud the acts aud Legislative
/ prorrau,me Of the British unions today are
I thoroughly soelalistic. Strikes are widely
! prevalent and are resoTtsd 10 on the slight
! est proxoestion. often with violence, and
aggression is the order OF the day. The
| Ensllsh trade unlonist Of today discri IA
/ mates against he non-nuion workingman
he seeks 20 dlctsIs - the capitalist not
only The hours and wages Of labor, bat th'
very manner in Which the eoslness Is <
he eondnsted, where supplies are 20 b
bought where products are TO be sod
with what ether capitalists be may dea
and nay not deal
The rev trade unsonisn Of England {,
correctly described as militant socialism.
TraAss uaionisHa hAs ret been ha.e 10 keeT
up wages daring periods Of trade deprss
sion The law that prices rals wages hai
Invariably beea too strong Tor IL In pros
perous times the unions have been ui
HmpAant. bas 10 hard vnss shey hAv'
sone 10 the vail and thea strikes against
/ rednssioa % wages have oaly Increased th'
distress of labor. Ia Esgland tas sffors !.
/ eombsas the unions for trade purposes int
ene universal orEAniEatloa has failed, : n
pig heezas< 81 ths clverssaee u interest.
between tie various trades
IH tAs GATED states traces aatonssm "a