Connecticut western news., 1900-08-30
the actual producer, the foundation of civilization.

the actual producer, the foundation or | civilization.
 Let us take glance at the nineteenth century history of labor. In this brief review I shall from choice confine my self to the records of organized labor, for until labor began to form its pro- tective organizations 1t had no history within the scope of this article.
 Before the opening of the century labor had begun to organize In cer- ] tain crafts In England. These un- ions were very unpopular with the capitalists of that day, as unions are unpopular with certain capitalists to- day, and repressive laws were enacted and enforced against the unions. The conditions of labor existing in England were not so bad as in some other countries, but they were bad enough, heaven knows, and the "agitators" and walking delegates" of that time were just as persistent as their descendants in the year 1899, and their task was much more difficult. In England skilled mechanics worked 12 hours a day In 1900, and their daily wage was barely sufficient to purchase the sim- plest food and raiment. It was under these conditions that the trade union movement of Great Britain, which later spread to this country and which In both countries has become one of the most remarkable facts of modern times, first firmly rooted itself. As has been said. severe laws against the unions were passed from time to time. Not withstanding the legislative edicts the unions continued to exist and, though they were absolutely secret organiZa- tions, exercised some influence. But at this time they were more of hope than an active working force.
 In July, 1900, parliament passed an- other labor law. This act was a vir- tual outlawing of the trades unions, as 1t forbade any agreement among the workers for the purpose of attempting to raise wages or to shorten the work day. Not only were unions forbidden, but meetings of the workers in any trade and the contribution of money for such purposes were especially pro- ! hibited. Punishment for violation of this law was Imprisonment at hard la- i Dor, and the person furnishing the h. formation leading to conviction was re- warded with the funds of the union i betrayed or denounced.
 | Probably the New York judge who recently issued an injunction forbid ding members of the Cigar Makers un- lon from contributing funds to support some of their members on strike gets his law from the parliament of 1900.
 The unions of England would not be snuffed out by law. On the contrary, they increased after the passage of the law just referred to at a greater rate than previously, but they pulled the mantle of secrecy still more closely about themselves, and their policy of retaliation became fiercer than ever. In a few years 1t became evident to the more intelligent of the capitalists that they could not destroy the unions and that attempts to enforce their cruel and unjust laws only made the matter worse, as 1t imbittered the un- ionists and made them less regardful of the rights of others. The laws were repealed in 1924. and the unions be came open organizations to a great ex- l ment, though it has met with setbacks at various times, has been upward in England since that year.
 The history of the trade union move ment in the United States Is similar to that in England. While the labor stat utes have not been so severe upon the unions, 1t Is probable that the decisions and rulings of the courts have equaled In severity the practices in Great Brit. ain during the period referred to. UI to within the last decade a majority of the people, outside of the workers themselves, denied that labor had the right to organize for the purpose of regulating trade matters. Today the man who holds to that view Is the ex. ception. This change Is due to several causes, among which are the increased knowledge acquired by the unionists and the increasing intimacy of the gen. eral public with the objects and meth
 ods of the unions. But probably the greatest of all causes making for this change in sentiment Is the recent i'm
 petus to organization and combination taken on by the employers of labor
 Thinking persons now say, If capital
 has the right to organize to protect Its interests, why has not labor the same right? Sure enough, why not?
 Labor in the United States has beer
 slowly but surely forging ahead dur
 Ing the century just closing, the great
 CT part of It's progress being the wori
 of the last dozen years or so. Ant
 what I want to impress right here is that the advancement fas been almos