The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-25
THE DIGNITY OF LABOR.
In What 1t Consists and tho Danger of Its
Degradation md Distraction.

Degradation and Destruction
To THE EpIToR OF TIE sUS-Sr: am glad
to see indications In the letters you publish
from printers that so many OF them recognise
and resent tho degradation OF character and
sacrifice OF sef-respoct which arc natural
consequences Of repressive tyranny In the la
Dor unions. These associations. in bringing
together the workers in O trade for their COM
mon benefit, might servo wholly useful pur-
pose by anorling an opportunity for the dI splay
and exercise OF one OF the noblest qualities Of
humanity the spirit OF brotherhood-but
actually they seem to be conducted in way
to stiie that admirable sentiment and pervort
1t to uses OF oppression and make it m cans
OF hampering individual ability and smother
ing all laudable ambition for excellence.
Nothing can be more degrading to character
than the lesseninG in a man OF his sense OF obi
CATION to do the best OF which he is capable
Such obedience to duty is essential to his self
respect. without 1t he 10 unworthy to cumber
the earth. Let mo give two illustrations OF
what mean by obedience to duty. They are
striking examples OF true dignity Of character
and are worthy OF the admiration OF all mon.
On public work In this neigh borhood
a master mechanic. q mason. was en- ployed
In certain constructions. or these, he was
able with diligence to complete three In
week, being a skifnl mechanic, and he was
held in much esteem by the superintendent OF
the public work because OF his expertness,
thoroughness and fidelity. One day this mason
came to that officer to announce that he vas
about to throw up his Job Whom the officer
expressed regret at his departure and
asked II It was due to any fault he
found with his wages or his treatment,
the mason answered that there was mono.
that he was entirely satisfied with his WAGES
and his work, but that the deegat OF the union
to which he belonged had notified him that he
was rendering too much service In making
three of the constructions a week and must re-
duce the number to two.
Il cannot do that" no said. II am so made
that can't help doing the best know how But
these follows can bother me and won't stand
1t. can pick up jobs in repairing and the like
about my neighborhood. IN which the union
cannot interfere. and 1 am going to turn my
hand 10 them and get some liberty"
The other example 10 Of q scientific instru-
ment maker. well-known to professors OF
tho branch Of science for which he
makes appliances-a Woodworking. deIterous.
conscientious mechanic. One day he
brought to a distinguished professor In
tho speciality. complicated instrument
which he had constructed on an order
from great university. asking for
criticism on 1t. The professor testad the
appliance carefully and reported that 10 worked
well. was completely satisfactory and would
be sure 10 be approved by the university. But
I am not myself exactly satisfied with it" said
the mechanic. There arc certain thinGs
about It. now that 1t ia done. which I feel sure
so1a 20 ebps come e
mako II q little better" answered the pro-
lessor. but II Is good enough az II lei II does
not need TO be any better, and the university
will be satisned with It.. Let 1t alone you have
done frat rate job and you are sure OF your
pay from the appropriation made by the uni
versity. and you will get no more for tin erinR
over \ any longer. would be glad to have II
The me ohanlc looked critically at tho machine
| for a few moments and then said porSiStently,
But professor. can see how can improve
IL" and he took It away and the improvements,
costing m uch delicate labor. Wero made when
| II was delivered to the university. He got no
more for the machine it9 price had been hyed
There. my brpthOFs. wee an artist q hero.
whose sehsc OF duty 20 hiYeelf could not be
truly the sr.i.tle spirit tlat spno6la hqnap
as he cannot bo paid IN mon for their work;
1t is above and beyond such recon pense: his
reward comes from the satisfied dignity OF his
Now. that spirit cannot be quenched In men
without deplorable loss and degradation for
soolety, It Is the true spirit for the mechanic
the artistic spirit; 1t 10 not work Tor pay
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