The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-09-04

dignity of labor and for the consideration
OF those subjects which especially affect
the interests OF the wage Garner. The
lShosing men constitute so large and So
indispensable portion of the population
that no social. economic or political ques-
ton can be treated without an investiga-
ton OF their connection Herewith. But
there are some questions which touch
them Immediately while others only OPP
crate upon thom in general way.
THO first thing to be considered is tho
laboring mans ambitions; what are his
aims and his purposes for what is he
striving? The animal needs only food and
shelter because ne has nothing but body
TO care for, but mans wants are moro
numerous. The animal complains when
1t is hungry and is oontentod when It's
hunger is appcdsed; but man, made in
the image OF his Creator. is a threshold
being aud must develop the head and
the heart as we'll as the body. lie Is not
satisfied Ngth mere physical eXistenCe;
neither viii he be content unless all ay-
enues OF advancement are open TO him.
His possibilities must be unlimited as his
aspirations.
In other countries and other civillzd-
tons, men have been condemned by birth
to a particular occupation, place or caste,
in this country each man however or
wherever born, can strive for the highest
"
and these avenues OF Advancement must
be kept open.
No civilization can be considered per-
feet which does not plant a hope in the
breast OF every child born into tho world;
the nearer We approach to this IDEAL the
better is our civilization. Those who
complain OF existlng conditions, can not
be put aside as dIsturbers Of the peace.
To seek remedy for every abuse OF gov
ernment is more patriotic than to profit
by bad systems and then frown down all
criticisms. There should be no antng-
on SIN between those engaged IN the va
rious occupations and there Will be none
when all recognize the mutual obligations
which are due between citizens. Our de-
sire should be, not to separate the people
into warning factions. but to bring them
into better acquaintance and greater sym
pathy with each other. The enmity which
the poor sometimes feel toward the rich
and the contempt which the rich some
times manifest toward the poor would be
avoided If each knew the other better
ana both were content to be guided by
the strict rules Of justice
The extremes Of society are really not
as far apart as they appear. Those wac
work for wages today may under good
government, be employers I'm "a few years,
and the sons Of those who are employers
today mdy in a short time be day lab0rerR.
Since no one can save postcriiy from the
evil effects of bad law, all should strive
for legislation which will protect orch cit
izen in his rights and in the enjoyment OF
tho fruits of his own integrity
4 II Is or advantage TO the rich as well as
TO the poor that the children OF all have
an opportunity to secure an education;
for education widene the individuals h0-
rl2on, increases his capacity for useful
ness; multiplios his enjoyments and makes
him In every way more seryloeabie to so
society Victor Hugo has described the
mob as the human race in misery. Those
who are well-to-do have a selfish interest,
and should feel moral concern, in remov-
ing despair from every human breast As
misery 8 lessenod the security Of property
is increased; human life Is protected IN
proportion as happiness Is promoted.
why should the man who eats q well
supplied table forget the man whose toll
furnishes the food? why should the r%n
who warns himself by the fire forget the
man whose labor in the forest or in the
mine brings the fuel? Why should The
man clad In the best products OF the loom
forget the man whose calloused hands
make nne clothing possible? Both the
consumer and the producer are necessary,
but ~ the two the producer comes first 81
point OF time and in point OF Importance.
Snail the rosebud, blooming IN beauty and
shedding its fragrance on the air despss
the roots Of the bush because they COME
into actual contact with the sollF Destroy
the bud and leave the roots aud second
bud will appear as beautiful and as fra
grant as the first. hut destroy
the r-ots and bud and bush will perish.
How can the wage Garner secure that
share OF the earths bountles and the gov
ernments protection which he deserYesY
The associations formed by worBlngnie1
have been productive Of much good.
! The labor organization as we now hni
IT IS the product OF industrial conditions
The individual found himoelf at disad-
vantage when dealing with the corporate
employer. and the organization not only
enables him to contend f,r his rights upSn
terms more nearly equal, but II stimulates
him 10 study and understand the condi-
lions which surround him.
The labor organization has been fore
most In advocating the reforms which
have already been secured Several years
ago the secret ballot WIS demanded by
the wage earners for their own protection
That ballot has been obtained and through
it, operations those who toll fJr indlyidd-
els or corporations are able TO protect
their political rislts and 10 use the bal
lot according TO their own judgment. This
Is 2 Icing step In advance.
The labor organization has done much
TO lessen the evils OF child labor. No one
can visit the factories where children
are employed without contemplating the
crime which Is being perpetnated upon
posterity II there Is any temporary
eecncmic advantage IN the employment Of
children OF tender age Il Is insignificant
when measured against the permanent in-
jury done TO present and future genera
tons. To rob child OF rs school days
Is bad enough, but to bend rs back by a
load for which only the adult Is fitted Is
even worse
The labor organization has also contrib