The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-06-29

marked that people differ OH questlonp
OF the day to an extent that sometimes
temporarily deprives them OF reason,
or rather Of the proper use of their
reasoning faculties, to such an extent
that. they. become divided into hostile
PARTIES. but no one can deny thatlthe
aims Of unionism-the increasing: Of
wages, the shortening of working hours,
the betterment of conditions in general
are not good. That is why we find
the intelligent and manly workingmen
agreeing ON the advisability OF secur-
ing these conditions and endeavoring
to obtain them in their own way. the
only logical way-by unionism. They
early recognize that the union is the
only logical i, feasible, and therefore
natural, system Of organization. !:
Among the lasting benefits secured by
the adherents of Notwithstanding
which result in good to- the country az
well as TO themselves something that
every lover Of his country must re-
joice mare better: discipline. better
order and ashigher grade of citizenship.
These are very admirable qualities in
any body Of men, and 1t has been stat7'
ed before the industrial commission
that they: shine more conspicuotlsly
among union men than they do outside
Of their ranks The. facts are incon-;
trovertible. Who will say that higher
morals and improved moral condition.
are not worth having? Who wilrz7say
that they are not worthy attributes Of
unionism? -.
1T of
ionism which should not be overlooked.
We are apt to overlook them because
they form an intimate part of our .ex-
istence as uniorists. These good quail
ties consist In the, relieving Of
the wants Of sorely tried and faithful
members during industrial depression,
general or limited to- the recipients of
relief; strike benefits, sick benefits,
death benefits, and others.
Unorganized labor depends on moth
ing, and gets nothing. .''
All the good that accrues to the un-:
ionist. he has to thank himself for; the
non-unionist has nothing for which to
be thankful. The unionist has every
incentive for elevation to a higher
plane in life, be it economic, social,
moral or political. AS consequence
he is a better man. AS Samuel Comp
ers once said, as result Of unionism
we witness greater progress, more en-
lightened public sentiment, and nobler'
manhood. May the good work con-
tfnue; and may 1t make It's Influence
felt. May unionisra In America become
q more important factor than it is The
hope is entertained that ere long it will
become = factor that will get re3pectful'
conslderati ton from legislators. not only
whensthey are 'aspirants to office.
The moral advantages are not All
that unfonism secureA. There has been
an impressive advance in the condi-.
ton. Of labor in the monetary sense:
During the past two score years there
has been; = sp1ononnced upward trend
in the nreyailin1 rate of wages in near.
II all trades, particularly In New York
either by lessening the working hours
or by increase of remuneration. Prior
to 1852, Q9sper week was paid for type
setting on afternoon papers lin New
York City: Wages are double that now,
and sometimes more. At the present
time conpositors on morning papers get
from $27 to $780,. and more. The laborer
is worthy of his hire, or he would not
get anything over the scale. Compared
with 1883 many trades have secured
from 10 to so per cent increase in wages,
and two hours less a day ana four
hours on Saturday, or fourteen every
week, have been secured by the union
workman. There; is, verify, virtue in
unionism.: typographical Journal.