The herald., 1896-02-02
Ideas Move the World

EDITOR HERALD Having read Mr.. j.
H. McWilliams' essay on Labor Unionism,
/ would like to state few ideas in connec-
ton with it. AS society is simply the Or
ganized units of mankind why is there
within that organiza ion SO much clash and
discord? Dense economic ignorance of
the masses and the Unsuitable greed of the
"classes" to take advantage of that ignor-
ance for their aggrsndisement. How can
this plutonian mist be removed? By plat
itudes and word painting" No! BY care
ful and persistent instruction in the art
and science of national housekeeping.
The nation is simply the family
extended; the public officials act
ing as servants to do it's bidding.
All the members of this great family
should be treated with equal justice. and
privileges. The duties of citizenship
should be equally borne by all regardless
of sex or color. Every persons physical
and mental capacity should be the measure
of his or her obligation to the nation. Ma
tional housekeeping should be thoroughly
The science of public affairs is essential to
fullfedged citizenship. What better place
for so important knowledge than within
the quiet circle of workmen? There eco
nomics can be quietly and energetically
discussed and every member fortified
istrative trickery that at present is
prevalent all over this fair land.
Politics is an evolutionary science and its
foundation is human experience. Adjust
ments and readjustments must be the or
der of the day if national unity and prog
resson is desirable. Government was in
stiiuted for the promotion of individual
and collective happiness. While industrial
organization is good and its aims laudable
il falls far short OF its mission If it fails to
teach its units the science of social de-
mocracy. Partisan chickering's need not
enter into these studies. and a wider knowl-
edge OF administrative affairs need not in
the slightest degree tend to weaken labor
unionism. "Knowledge is power'' and ig-
norance, weakness. The inventive genius
of man is harnessng all the powers of
nature to do his bidding, and manual labor
will soon be a thing of the past.
Already we have in our national household
several millions of permanently unem-
ployed "hands." Are we adjusting our
selves to meet this change of the industrial
situation? No! the constitution was writ
ten during the oXcart days and every new
law that seems to fall in touch with our
present economic conditions is declared by
the solons Of the federal judiciary "uncon-
stitutional." The administration of the
government must adjust itself to the new
exiRencies arising from industrial progress
SION II justice to every member of this great
family is to be vouchsafed. But this ad-
justment will never happen until major
ity of those gifted with the elective franchise
can learn of its necessity. and what better
place to teach this than in the labor unions?
Labor saving machinery--machines to
mako machines-is gradually absorbing
all the manual labor of the world. Public
ownership of these great instrumentalities
OF productivity must either take place or
the destruction of a large portion of man
kind will be the inevitable result. Are the
workngmen informing their minds on
these important problems or must they for
the sake of some narrow-minded sachem
of unionism ignore this desirable knowl-
edge? Already we have within our nation
many homeless, scantily fed and clothed
workingmen who not only menace the
peace and safety of our republic. but
the labor unions themselves. This great
army IL increasing rapidly. and yet no
provisions for this has been made,