The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1903-05-09
LABOR COLUMN.
Devoted to the Interests Of the Laborer.
H. {. BRAGG,
II. {. BRAGG, Editor.

| were owned by another Social
class, to whom in consequence
they must sell their productive
power, upon a market where sup
ply must always exceed demand,
and where all the conditions OF
bargaining were to their dlsad-
vantage. Common suffering forced
the brotherhood of toll upon them,
so they laid the foundation OF
those grand principles that are
now embodied in the Unions of
to day.
Along with she development of
commercialism marched the ad-
vancement of the Unions. When
production was carried on III a
small way by many individuals,
each having only sufficient capital
to carry on his business, the labor
union, being only composed OF the
few workmen, who worked in the
same line of trade, remained to
themselves. demanding such i'm
prOvements in their condition as
they knew they could obtain, on
account of the vast amount of
different employers that could be
found to give them employment;
but gradually these different EN-.
ployers-working together for
their own benefit became more
powerful, and refused to accede to
their workmens' demands: so the
union was compelled to take an
other step in evolution and en-
large itself by becoming national,
thus gaining greater strength to
enable it to accomplish its pur-
pose.
When the commercial element
made another advance, and be-
gan to form themselves into large
firms, controlling great wealt hand
capital, the union again followed
by joining together their interests
and forming large celebrations"
which would hold together all Of
the trades and all of the common
labor in one body, so that the de
mands of one individual union
might be gained by the assistanccs
of all the others IN the same fed
Grafton.
There is no doubt that if it had
not been for the Labor Union,
THE LABORING MAN OF TO
DAY WOULD BE IN A MUCH
WORSE CONDITION; he would
have been reduced to the lowest
slavery, and living in ignorance,
he would never have risen above
that position. Education is one
of the first principles of the union,
and 1t is conceded by all that the
most intelligent workingman is al
ways the strongest unionest; for
the more a workman becomes ed
ucated. the more he sees and un.
derstands the profits wruns from
his labor, and the more he is
determined chat he shall receive
greater portion of that surplus
value.
This then, was the reason why
tho labor unions sprang into ex-
istence, for the laborer saw that
he could do nothing as a single
individual to advance his cause,
but would be able to do so, if he
were assisted by his fellow work
men, for he would then be able to
bring greater pressure to bear
upon the employing class and
force them to give to the laborer
less hours, more pay, and better
conditions.
The greatest difficulty that the
intelligent unionist has had to
contend with is the ignorance of
many of his brother membe 5.
There are always many who do
not realize the Importance of their
position; they believe that they
have become members of union
for no other purpose than to ere
ate a disturbance between the en-
ployer and themselves; and many.
who are not headed. precipitate a
strike, when 1t could easily be
avoided by discussing matters
over with their employer. This
has caused many people to draw
wrong conclusions in respect to
the union, and has also kept many |
from JOINING II. To the formar 7 |