Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1900-06-15
Paper OF PAsQUorANK CAMDEN Counties
AN ATTACK ON LABOR.
He Creates Sensation Before the
Industrial Commission Labor
Unions the Greatest Menace to ahe
Government that Exlsts Inside or

| son, secretary of the Southern Indus
| trial Convention at Huntsville. Ala,
made a somewhat sens atfonal attack
| upon labor unions before the Industrial
Commission to-day. Labor organiza-
| tions," said Mar. Thompson, "are the
greatest menace to this government
that exists inside Or outside the pale Of
our national domain. Their influence
for dtsruptioa and disorganization Of
society is far more dangerous to the
perpetuation Of our government in it's
purity and power than would be the
hostile array on our borders of the ar
mics of the entire world combined"
Mr.. Thompson declared that he made
this statement from years of close
study and field for the widest op-
portunities for observation, embracing
the principal industrial centers of the
North and South. In support Of his
statement, he said that ION every
hand, and for the slightest provoca-
ton, all classes of organized labor
stand ready to inaugurate strike with
all it's attendant evils and that in ad-
dition to this, stronger ties of con-
sOl1dat1on are being urged over the
country among labor unions, with the
view of being able to inaugurate a
sympathetic strike that will embrace
all classes of labor simply to redress
the grievances or right the wrongs Of
one class, however remotely located or
however unjust may be the demands
of that class" He asserted that Organ
lzations teaching such theories should
be held as reasonable in their char
acter and their leaders worse than
traitors to their country"
Mr. Thompson declared that many
labor leaders are open and avoWed
socialists; that their organizations are
weakening the ties of the citizenship
among thousands of our people, in that
they have no other standard Of COM
munity obligations than that these or
ganizations inculcate; that they are
creating widespread disregard for the
rights of others; that they are Destroy
ing respect for law and authority
among the working classes; that they
are educating the laboring classes
against the employing classes, thus
creating antagOnisms between those
whose mutually of interests should be
fostered and encouraged by every
friend of good government; that they
are destroying the right Of individual
contract between employees and en-
ployers, and forcing upon employers
men at arbitrary wages; and that
they are bringing public reproach upon
the judicial tribunals of our country,
by public DEGREES, thus seeking to
break down the only safeguards of a
free people. The remedy for the evils
lies, he said, principally in a correct
public sentiment touching the relations
that should exist between labor and
capital.
"a law" he added, should be enact
ed that would make it justifable homi-
eide, for any killing that occurred in
defense of any lawful occupation, the
theory of our government being that
any one has a right to earn an honest
living in this country, and any en-
deaVor to deprive one Of that right
should be placed in the same legal
status with deprivation Of life and
property"
A strike and boycotts, he thought,
should be made a felony, both by
national and State legislation, and he
suggested the formation of State and
national boards of arbitration, au-
thorized and empowered to settle all
matters of differences between labor
and capital, and whose DEGREES should
be binding on the parties affected.
Mr.. Thompson expressed the opinion
that public sentiment in the South
would justify the shooting of union
men who interfered with non-unton
men at work. He said that the South
was holding out as inducements to the
manufacturers of textiles that if they
came South they would be free from
labor strikes. There is, he said, a move
ment on foot to put it beyond the pow
er of labor unions by means Of COM
pulsory arbitration to disturb indus
trial conditions.
Mr.. Thompson expressed the opinion
that negro labor was essential to the
prosperity Of the South, and he also
said that the South was very prosper
Gus at the present time.