The herald., 1897-09-18
ANOTHER AND BETTER REMEDY

For several years labor has struggled
to improve its condition, and to force
concession. of larger share Of produced
wealth from capital through strikes, and
sometimes by violence. Happily there is
less tendency to violence than formerly.
Strikes have, in instances resulted in
concessions, but on the whole they have
not been as effective as their advocates
lyze business at the same time that
they embarras capital. The sympathies
of the great mass of the American peo
pie are with labor, and they sustain it in
proper efforts to protect and promote
it's interests, but interruption of busi-
ness hurts all classes and tends to es-
trange that sympathy and support
which labor would otherwise receive.
There is general desire that some way
may be discovered to avoid strikes
and at the same time to secure to labor
what justly belongs to it.
A difficulty in the past has been that
working people have been mislead and
duped in their political action. 1t has
been held out to them, and they have be-
lieved it, that high protective duties m
imports are panacea for their ills, and
large numbers have voted for them III
the hope and expectation that they
would be benefited thereby, notwith-
c r1 ri
that with increased duties wages have
not been proportionately put up, and
that the cost of living is greater without
enlargement of earnings.
An effective redress of grievances may
be found in wise policies of government
and in reform of business methods, in
compelling legislation which respects
and Is adopted to economic conditions,
and which will regulate business by APP
plying to it just principles. The working
people can. correct whatever may be er-
roreous through their votes if they act
intelligently, Independently and united.
ly. They must possess the acumen to de-
tect demagogism and the courage to
stand up against oppressive influences.
AS long as they support policies dictated
by monopolies and trusts, so long will
labor be denied what is its just due. Until
| it is realized that working people cannot
| be hoodwinked or coerced their rights
when it becomes understood that they
| will perform their political duties in
telligently and fearlessly differences be-
tween employers and employees will be
adjusted without difficulty.
| The character of American laborers
| has been injured by importation OF
hordes of the most ignorant and de-
graded foreigners, who have been
brought here because they will work for
small wages. and be content with food
| and surroundings beneath the. aspira-
| tions and dignity of representative
| American laborers. Restrictive duties
are imposed on the products of foreign
labor while there has been free trade ir
| foreign laborers. This has glutted the
labor market and is principal cause Of
| the alarming idleness which prevails
These evils will not be removed excep
through the action of the working peo
p,e themselves certainly not by thos'
who receive the profits that flow from
monopolies and trusts. 1t is rule tina
reforms are originated by and become
successful through the efforts Of tn
common people. Government is not ap
to take hold of them unless presse,
to It by the people. The destinic