St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-02-03
The FIELD OF LABOR,
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EDUCATION AND AGITATION.
How Labor VIII Finally Win Its
Great Battle.

Great Battle,
To the Labor Editor of the Globe.
Your editorial reference to the letter
OF Il. V. Debs in the labor department
last Sunday was valuable and interest
ing from several view points Your
concern that labor should be correctly
taught is a worthy one, and your
warning against demagogism and
false teachings, timely.
If we are honest, we teach as we
understand. This, 1 think, is the
policy of such leaders as Debs. He is
desirous Of correcting wrongs as he
sees them. Neither he nor other labor
educators and leaders teach the doc
trine of absolute legislative control by
labor's hosts, as such Their purpose
IS more to inculcate comprehension
OF equity in dealings and honesty in
thought and action. While labor op-
poses the present rule of the money and
monopolistic classes, it does not do so
Tor the purpose of Supplanting them
with labor legislators. Labor so far
as legislation goes, simply asks for
pfoportlonate representation, and that
Tor the purpose only of securing proper
recognition. Legislation affecting
economic matters would receive more
intelligent and honest treatment by
men elected from labor ranks than
from what is termed the professional
class. 1t is for the purpose of awaken
ing labor to the Importance of this
fact that Independent political action
IS ag1tated. There would be no danger
to the real interests of the country if
labor had a good strong representation
IN our legislative halls.
II by education along proper lines
labor can be made to see it is as at pres
ent he1ng unjustly dealt with, great
good Will have been done. At present
1t is seemingly content to create all the
wealth and then allow the capftalistic
and exchanging classes to confiscate
the major portion of it. There is, in
fact, degree of servitude involved in
the wage system of today. Too many
are satisfied to work away their lives
for the privilege of procuring food and
clothing and obtaining shelter. Labor
is entitled to all it produces. If it is
not, who does it belong to, and why?
Indeed, there are 50 many simpletons
in the world that the smart" or edu-
Gated class, find no difficulty in living
in comparative idleness off their labor
The natural tendency is for this non
producing class to increase, and it is in
creaSirg. 1t has already reached a
proportion that makes it necessary for
the toilers to work harder, longer and
cheaper to maintain good times" But
even with this willingness on the part of
labor, perhaps never before has this
class of idlers felt such hard times"
as at present. The rapid introduction
of labor-saving machinery and the mo-
nopoly by few Of both the earth and
In =
ing degree taken away the opportuni-
ty to labor, and consumption has, of
course, decreased. With the increased
output from improved machinery
should come shorter hours and in
creased pay if the purchasing capac-
ity is to remain unimpaired and all
the people are to participate in it's
benefits, but there is too strong a ten
dency among those in control to ''hog"
the whole thing for this to occur. The
result is less men at work, while the
article manufactured under the new
condition continues to sell as high
priced as before, the benefit accruing to
a few only.
Capitalization in cities and large
manufacturing districts Of the artisan
class has in the past been a fruitful
source of existence for the eXchanger
From speculation and other we'll
known methods Of working the mar
ket he has become prosperous, along
with the manufac turing corporations,
while the real wealth maker of the
district-the worker-has had to be
content with "life-line" wages.
The formation of trusts by the man
ufacturers and the Introduction of
labor-saving machinery in these thick
w roOO1lIa tod sections ba thrown ont
both workers and exchangers. The
result is a surplus supply of labor,
which, being in competition with those
who are employed, prevents the latter
from securing shorter hours or better
pay.
The concentra ton of effort, such as
the manufacturing trusts and depart
ment stores make possible, is q logical
result Of the resent business methods.
Under a system and moral standard
where every one feels that it is a mark
of business ability to make money, no
matter how, it is but natural to look
cOnplacently upon any scheme or plan
whereby great returns accrue to the
manipulation thereof. No thought is
given to other than self. By bribery,
by purchase, often by theft, municipal,
state and national privileges are Sc
cured by individuals which naturally
and properly belong to the whole people
Labor leaders, as teachers, by draw
ing attention to these wrongs and the
tendency of the present system of
selfishness to enslave the masses are
surely on the right track. 1t is not
their purpose to create dissa tisfaction
without reason. IT, by their argu-
ments and agitation, they succeed
in convincing the producing classes
that they are being cheated, the best
way to overcome the dissatisfaction
and unrest resulting therefrom would
be to reform the system, not shoot or
jail the teachers.
The genuine labor leader is a thought
full, earnest felloW-a man of generous
impulses and peaceful disposition. He
has a place in society equal with the
Christian teacher. In fact, their aims
are the same-the betterment of man
kind. The methods of the Christian
teacher are more popular because they
are theoretical. The labor teacher is
unpopular with the better class be-
cause he is practical and progressive.
The labor movement is one of justice,
common sense and pressing need, and
must eventually triumph in securing it's
own.
1t will come through education and
agitation. G. H. S.
st. Paul, Feb. 1, '95.
NEWS AND NOTES.
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