Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-11-28
TRADE UNION NEWS
Will Give Instructions to Delegate
to National Convention.
LABOR ORGANIZATION; WHAT 1T is

Commands Recognition of Employers
TO the Interests of Working Glasses
and Is Symbolic of Best Elements
of society.-LocaI Union News.
[Tka matter published in this col.
umn is furnished by the officers of the
Federation of Labor.
Organization is the system of ac-
comprising great things by combin-
ing the brains and muscles of men to
gain some object which would be i'm
possible to the individual. Organiza-
ton to be successful, must necessarily
be methodical and systematical in all
its affairs, hence IL is that every or
ganization of labor throughout the
whole world adopts rules and regula-
tons for the guidance of it's members,
and as general proposition every
member takes a solemn obligation to
uphold and defend the principles and
doctrines of the crafts to which he be-
longs voluntarily. consequently better
work is expected from the members.
Without system one man would be
working in opposition to his fellows.
The great desideratum necessary is
unity, for without oneness all the
system is weakened, and instead of
being free to work disinterestedly for
the aims and objects of the whole, the
true members must necessarily dou-
BILE their exertions in order to mend the
break to keep the structure intact.
Majorities Govern Wisely.
The work to be done is of such a
character that it requires the greatest
care to avoid shoals and chasms of
discomfort and a multiplication of gen
erals, SO each craft provides the ways
and means of how and by whom the
responsibility must rest on for the
carrying out of the desires as express.
ed by the majority. 1t is the funda-
mental principle of the highest law
known that he that would not amend
would destroy; hence it is very plain
that once the majority has spoken the
minority should display a willingness
| if passive only, to acquiesce, as his.
tory tells us that the majority will
defend their principles as previously
expressed, even to the discontinue of
the minority. This principle, above
all others, should appeal to the intel.
ligence of the general run of men
more strongly and logically than any
other feature in the general laws of
any organization, whether it be labor
political or social. 1t is acknowledged
by all that it is a dangerous precedent
to ignore the will of the majority, while
| it is also true majorities are not al
ways right. Nevertheless, the major
| ity can and should be trusted before
attempting to overturn the existing
organization that has been built al
the expense of all the members, and
which will be run by the majority re
CARELESS of all opposition. The lack
of knowledge in regard to laws and
rules is very often the groundwork OF
| dissension in many organizations
which, if the laws of the organi
cation We're better understood by the
discontinued members, not within
per of complaint would be heard, as
generally there being such diversity
lof opinion expressed by large bodies
when laws are being framed, it is safe
to assume that any law that receives
the endorsement of the majority is
the best law for the greatest number
and in this spirit all laws passed
should receive the sanction of every
man or woman who voted on it.
Organization Power.
Organization enables the individual
member to combat impositions on his
rights, where singly he We're but {
drop in the ocean, powerless in every
way to help himself, he being at the
mercy of those who Cypress him. Il
may be not by choice, but through the
levil effects of the competitive system
Anyhow, whichever mode puts him a.
a disadvantage, it is all the same tt
him. When he joins forces with his
fellows in organizations he immediate
Il ly secures q position of equality will
his oppressors which commands theil
attention, ii not their respect Jus
in the same manner as the standing
:. army of Germany commands the
peace of Europe by it's silent power
so in labor organizations :. is the 81
lent power. the unknown power tina
lis behind them, that causes attention
and respect to be given to its mem
bers, as mans nature don't chang,
when he joins an organization-h,
only changes weapons, and they ar,
peaceful instruments--organ
and education, instead of impotency
Result of Union.
Man when he joins a labor organi
cation becomes strong in proportion
to the excellence of the organization
of his craft, a weak labor organization
being a constant invite to the, masters
to reduce the wages of their men
while the strong organization invites
anxiety on the masters part to hav,
an agreement and contract with hi
men, which of itself speaks volume.
for the business methods the Trad,
Union movement has inaugurated ant
injected into society at large. Thi
principle does now, and will in the flu
ture, receive more endorsements from
the very men who a few years ago re
fused to recognize the Union. Organi
cation never intended to injure an,
man, but, on the contrary, is desirou
of promoting better feeling among al
classes. and when conflict cannot b
avoided it is simply to vindicate then
selves and their principles that the
resist all unfair proposals and cond
lions. The labor organizations stan
for the best elements of society a
/ los ~e So