New-York tribune., 1901-01-21
they decide. they will have good company and
be supported by good precedents.
STATE RECOGNITION OF LABOR.

Il
A recent decision of the Appellate Division of
the Supreme Court in the Third District of this
State in a case involving what is called organ
lied labor may be unsatisfactory 10 few ex-
tremists but will, we confidently believe COM
mend itself to the great majority of thoughtful
men, The Board of Supervisors of Albany
County refused TO award certain contract 10
the lowest bidder unless he would agree TO EN-
plov on the work none but union labOrers, and
uDOn his refusal TO make such an agreement
gave the contract to the next bidder. There
upon a taxpayer secured an injunction restrain
ing the Board from thus awarding the contract
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court
has now practically confirmed that injunction
and made ii permanent, and has thus lald down
the rule that public officers in awarding con-
tracts for public work cannot discriminate ID
favor of union labor.
That rule is a sound one; the only one ap-
plicable TO the case. indeed, that would not vlo-
late the principles of equality and Importantly
which are fundamental to republican lnStltu-
tions. The Government of republic cannot
discriminate between artificial classes of its clt
zens 1t must treat all alike, according to their
intelligence their loyalty and their regard for
law and order. 1t must recognize and MAINTAIN
the liberties of the individual within the law,
Joining a labor union or other organization.
There would obviously be an intolerable impro-
priety in the States discriminating in favor of
Nethodists or Presbyterians any other
Church. or in its decrecing that none but Free
Nasons or Odd Fellows should enter its ser
vice Equally improper would it be for it TO re-
olIire all its employees to belong to a certain
labor union TO do SO would be, in measure
to outlaw or at least TO deny full rights of cltl
zenship to- all who preferred 10 remain outside
of such organizations.
This decision will we believe. commend itself
to the great majority of men. And that Will not
be because after all, the majority or men, ana
of working men, are outside Of the unions IL
will commend itself TO the thoughtful majority
of those inside of the unions For these are ne
ginning TO see that the unions must have the
courage of their convictions and stand or ran
according to their own merits. II the unions
are of no benefit to their members, no bolsterlng
nm with State patronage and no attempts to
coerce men into joining them will be SUCCESSFUL
but they will fail and fall because they serve
no good purpose which can yindicate their
being If on the other hand. they are or benent
TO their members-as we believe many of them
are and all may be-there will be no need OF
such measures for their support, but men VIII
voluntarily seek to join them, and they will pros
per because they deserve 10 prosper. The true
course is for the unions to make 1t clear 10 all
that II is TO the mems advantage TO belong 70
them. and to the employers advantage to en-
plov union labor. 1t ought to be possible to do
that. and the moment that is done the question
of union or non-union labor will be solved. In
the mean time the duty of the State is to keep
hands off and discriminate in favor of neither
side