The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1903-10-09
JUDGE H|GHTON'S VIEWS
ON UNION LABOR ISSUE
Have Walking Delegates the Right to Derange
the Business and Disturb the Peace?... The
Right to Control Ones Own Business.

eighty millions of Americans He sug-
gests, as the outcome of the strikes
fully demonstrated, that, after reckon
ing with their own consciences," those
OF the strikers, leaders and rank and
file, who had projected and were seek
ing to execute this absurd scheme,
would also consider whether they are
sufficiently powerful to defy the Amer
lean people," and warns them not to,
Invite and compel the assertion of a
power they cannot hope successfully to-
resist
THE striking unions" says Mr..
Highton, having applied every capi-
talistic mode of concentration to their
own ranks, in which no account is
taken of diversity of gifts or energy,
but all stand upon common level, de-
Nberately seek to drive employers into
an alliance with themselves against
the entire people of the United States.
This attitude is not only illegal, but
absurd.
THE vital necessity Of the times is
to hold both capital and labor within
the law, and to compel both to respect
Individual liberty, which is the most
precious inheritance of Americans"
Mr. Highton quotes figures to show
the progressive reduction of hours and
the increase of wages, until there is
scarcely word of dispute anywhere
about time or compensation" and in
quires:
What, then, is the bone of conten-
tion, but the aggressive assaults of a
limited number of wage-earners upon
every form of industry and enterprise,
not controlled by themselves"
However, as all thoughtful citizens
have done, he disavows the imputa-
tion of criminality against many Of
the unionists, who had been involuntar-
lily dragged into an appearance of law
lessness. Nobody" he declares,
will deny the intelligence and respect
ability of most of the rank and file of
unionized and striking wage-earners,
nor of the millions of non-unionzed
wage-earners, equally under the pro-
lection of the law and secured at least
theoretically in their individual lib
erty." He justifies free speech where
1t can be applied without force or in
trusion," which he carefully discrimi-
mates from intimidation"
"All men have n right to work" he
asserts, and Furthermore that "if a
laborer or a mechanic does not wish to
join a union, he does not become an
outlaw by that fact, which also does
not confer upon a union man the right
10 Smlte MIN IN the mouth
He thinks, as events are now prov
ing that there may be "a reorganiza-
,ton of certain unions in the United
States upon a basis that would elfmifi-
mate illegal and tyrannical features
land supply the means for reas-
enable educational facilities and for
recreation, and thus command the
sympathy and the respect of the Amer
lean people, without distinction of
class sect, or party" and admits that
dn 190D there are unions and unions
and there are entire systems of COM
binations of capital and of labor that
move together in almost unbroken
harmony" He alludes pointedly to-
the fact, which Mr.. Mccarthy, an in
telligent leader, had mentioned, that
the San Francisco unions that could
have produced the greatest pressure
in favor of the strikers, had remained
aloof," and proceeds: II can readily
conceive of a case in which and mil
lions of american citizens would re-
joice to see every workingman in a
community turn out, even to aid an
union" 1.-The American
nation consists almost entirely of la
borers. 1t is based upon individual
ism, governed by and submitting to
laws which under constitutions, them
selves susceptible of amendment but
not of organic LESSONS. represent the
settled will of the people, with ballots
in their hands"
The sympathetic" element in the
strikes, Mr.. Highton characterizes as
intensely selfish, and without possible
excuse, because it multiplied the men
and their families who became non
productive and had to be supported by
their fellow-laborers.
"Concede the rights of the unions"
he says, "to limit their membership, to
place all their members on a dead lev
ell, so that superior energy or skill VIII
be of no advantage, to control the ac-
ceptance of apprentices, to replace in
dividuality by the pressure of organi-
zation, and then to enforce these prop
ositions upon the business of the coun-
try and the result would be the virtual
destruction of our American system
and the establishment of the most un-
tyranny of ancient or modern
times" But, on the other hand, he
adds: applied to the amelioration OF
conditions and to the development of
mind and character, labor unions may
be among the most potent forces in
After enforcing the fact that, upon
questions of constitutional right COM
promise Is impracticable, but that for
all other differences, arbitration is the
fair remedy, Mr.. Highton concludes:
II am convinced that the strikers
themselves will soon rally around the
standard of American citizenship, and
unite with their fellow workmen all
over the Union in impresslng Labor
Day with the sanctities of our civili-
Zation and our institutions. True
brotherhood, without distinction OF
class, sect or party, and genuine equal
ity before the law, are the sources. the
inspiration and the product of true
americanism."