The herald., 1896-09-08
TUESDAY MoRN1Na sEprEMBER $ 1sos

ment in this regard, not only in the
United States, but throughout the world,
and especially within civilized countries
passes without saying. That much re-
mains to be done is also true. The gem
eral sentiment pervading the United
States, admitting the right Of the indi-
yldual tOiler to decent and impartial
treatment, caused congress in June, 1894
to pass an act in the following terms:
THAT the first Monday of September In
each year, being the day celebrated and
known as Laborers' holiday is hereby
made legal public holiday to all intents
and purposes, the same as Christmas
the first day of January, the twenty
second day of February, the thirtieth
day of May, and the fourth day of July
are now made public. holidays" &nd
throughout the entire country, whether
or not this particular date Is recognized
by the several states, labor organiza-
tions and individual workers generally
are enjoying. for the purposes of recre-
alton, consultation and instruction, the
privileges thus designed to be granted.
1t Is not my intention-indeed, the linz
tied time allotted is wholly Insufficient
to elaborate upon the various subjects
involved In the relation of those who
labor to the STATE and to their fellows.
1t is not easy to say where legislatiVa :
interference with prevailing conditions
should begin and where it should end.
1t Is probably safer to treat each par
ticular topic as it arises, rather than
to attempt by general enactment, any
plan designed to meet every exigency,
or to seek the adoption of a program
designed to include complete system
fully determinative of possibilities and
obscure contingencies. Formerly the
iaborer was to large extent, and, in
deed, in many places and ages, wholly
subject to the caprice of his employer,
who was aptly denominated his master.
The developments of civilization have
been attended by the partial recogni-
ton of individual merit in all walks of
life, and the extension of the privileges
OF education through the public
school and by other means, has placed
the powerful weapon of knowledge in
the hands of those who wish to enjoy
it, thus indicating to the toilers of the
world, especially to those who live un-
der free governments, the fact that they
are not necessarily subjects, but are en-
titled to share in the administration of
public affairs, and to be consulted as
others are consulted.
The natural result of the due appre-
citation of the rights of labor has led to
the formation of unions and associa-
tions, having for their purpose, among
other things, the advancement of the
personal and social welfare of their
members, adequate provision for the
widow and the orphan, and the mainte-
nance as between themselves and their
employers Of fair wage rates. 1t is the
habit of those who seek political prefer
ment to earnestly appeal to the labor
vote. Scarcely anyone who seeks favors
from state legislatures or from congress
fails to impress upon those to whom he
addresses his appeal the benefits that
must accrue to the laboring man, from
the passage of the measure which he
nft tn- nfyrr tool tnr1Yc rn
to a large extent, not only in the United
States but in European countries, main
tained upon the theory that all legisla-
ton must in some degree inure to the
advantage of men and women who
work with their hands. Still 1 believe,
Notwithstanding the undoubted influ-
ence of legislation, that labor unions and
labor organizations have had more to
do with the adoption of needed reforms
and especially with the stability of
wages, than all other causes combined.
The immense power welded by these
bodies demonstrates the necessity of
conservative action. The ablest labor
leaders and those who constitute the
great toiling army of the United States,
our mechanics and artisans and nom
skilled workmen, are not disturbers of
the social order They are, for the
most part. peacefully pursuing their
way and ably performing their allotted
uutleS. IHey are allVe TO SUCH QlSdQVdn-
tages as may surround them, and legiti-
mately strive for Improvement. While
there are unQuestionably instances
where the employer has been wronged,
| there are also others where he mas
made unreasonable demands. These
| difficulties are inseparable from the in
| auguration of great reforms. While
nothing human can be perfect, approxi-
| mate accuracy can only result from
| long experience and conscientious eff
! fort. The relations existing between
the employer and employe In the United
states must improve and become more
| and more cordial as each manifests
towards the other desire to be concil-
iatory. The compensation the wage
Garner should receive should be fair
enough to enable him to live reasonably
well and to provide for his family and
for the future. The employer is enti-
tied to have left to him a rational profit
upon his investment
1t Is but reasonable that he should
reap that reward which is primarily the
consequence of his enterprise, ability
and industry. An examination of the
emharrassments with which laborers
in and out of organizations have con-
tended is interesting and Instructive.
The idea that legislatures can inter-
fere to limit the extent of a days work
was at first bitterly contested by those
who are in the habit of compelling their
employees, male and female, large and
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