The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-10-25

of the proposition would be the very
reverse of the object aimed at-popular
home rule for cities-and it was decided
licity.
A thousand specious arguments, de-
and Of no practical benefit, are demol-
ished by the simple fact that trades
unions are no untried theory. but SUBJ
sisting and unquestionable facts. To
be sure, they are as likely as any other
combinations for special purposes to be
at times selfish, wrong-headed and
working injustice. Strikes no doubt
are ofteS mistaken and fail to realize
the desired effects. But we must not
forget the laboring class, so-called,
must like any other, stand up for its
own rights or be content to see them
trampled under foot, and that the
strength given to it by organization Is
its only effectual defense. We hold,
therefore, that trades unions and SIM
liar compacts, though often abused,
have, on the whole, effected signal
good; through their fundamentally la
Dor is better paid and its rights better
served than otherwise would or could
be. Such being the case, the right of
cooperation should be upheld, not only
in theory but in practice. It's surren-
der would remove the most powerful
instrument in the hands Of labor to
Withstand the exactions Of capital It
should be cherished as a natural and
legal right, as the sheet anchor of pros
perity.-P. M. Arthur
A capacity for abuse coupled with
flow OF language is sometimes mis-
taken for ability, and the mistake
usually proves a costly one.
Frank Hoffman, delegate from the
local cigarmakers' union to the Inter-
national convention at Detroit, has re-
turned. He reports that most Of the
conventions time was consumed in the
consideration Of proposed amendments
to the constitution although the socia-
list element, which was aggressive. but
IN hopeless minority, promised to de-
lay the transaction of other business in
their efforts to have the convention in
dorse their views. They were defeated
on every proposition, each time by q
very decisive vote. The advocates Of
the cooperative shops, to be conducted
under the direction OF the international
union, also endeavored to secure the in
dorsement of the convention, but were
likewise unsuccessful. The dues were
increased from 25 to 80 cents per week
and the benefit laws amended so as
to require a membership of two years
before being entitled to benefits instead
Of one year as at present.
Conventions will hereafter be held
every five years, unless called sooner
by popular vote. The next session will
be held at Baltimore, Md. Pursuant
to a request from a large New York
factory that conference committee be
appointed to meet with them for the
purpose of devisfng means looking to
the adjustment Of the differences exist
ing between the latter and the inter-
national union, a committee was ap-
pointed aud steps have already been
Initiated to bring about an understand
ing. Indications point to substantial
victory for the union.
H p Miller, president of the Journ-
eymen BARRIERS International union,
who has made this city his home for
the past ten months, left Friday for
Topeka, Kan, where he will In the
future reside. Mr.. Miller had just re-
Gently returned from Evansville, Ind,
where he was in attendance at the con-
yentfOn of the Organization Of which
he Is the head, and at which he was
reelected to that position. He said
that the convention, which was the first
biennial session, was a very successful
one and that the order indicated an en-
couraging growth In nearly every SEQ