Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-12-14
Texas 10 Sure.

IeSao " Suro.
Dallas tried hard to get the Demo-
cratic convention, pleading the loyalty
Of Texas as reason why that city
should be favored. But that very
same loyalty is one reason why Dallas
lost out. A convention goes where
votes are doubtful, not where they are
sure, and every one knows that Texas
will vote the Democratic ticket just
as long as there is such a ticket to be
voted.-Greenville News.
Strikes and Unions.
This particular section Of the south
is in the midst Of reconstruction
period, having to do with labor and
the wages of labor. Mill operatives,
actuated by the conversation Of their
Yankee co-workers, are awakening to
the fact that they may have greater
rights and privileges than have been
accorded them. The operatives, as
usual, want shorter hours and more
pay, and they want an effective labor
organization. Mill owners object to
the organization of labor. Employers
usually object to organized labor, for
wien two or three are gathered to-
gether their voices is louder and car
ries to a greater distance. And yet,
object though employers may, the
unions are coming south. No need to
kick against the pricks. AS we'll ac-
cept the inevitable gracefully. Con-
f1ict may keep off the day Of union
labor in the mills, but not for long.
There are always two sides to labor
disputes, but each side has it's justi-
fication. The mill operative has an
inalienable right to strike when he
chooses, for higher wages, shorter
hours, better working conditions or
any other thing he may have set his
heart upon. He also has a right to
persuade his brother to quit work and
join him in the gentle pastime Of
knocking the boss. On the other hand,
the mill president and underlords
have an inalienable right to fire whom
they choose when they choose, to shut
down the mill whenever the whim
strikes them, and to cut or raise
wages dt lIlelr pressure. Inc I1llll ana
all that appertains thereto belongs to
them. They have the right to do with
1t as they choose. So that mere rights
won't get us anywhere, for rights often
conflict. There are but two possible
solutions Of labor problems. One Is to
let either capital or labor wax so
strong that it can absolutely dominate
the opposition. The other is for labor
and capital to cooperate in a spirit
Of justice and reciprocity. The latter
way is the better way. When one
side shows a disposition to be reason
able, the other usually follows suit.
When one is bullheaded, the other
adopts similar tactics. 1t is the busi-
ness Of labor to do as little work as
possible and get as much pay as pos
sible. 1t is the business Of capital to
get the greatest possible effort out Of
employees, and pay as little as possible
for it. 1t is the business Of labor to
get living 1t is the business Of
capital to get more capital. That
sounds like the hard philosophy of
Machiavelli, but men are faulty, and
capital and labor will be standing with
locked horns when Gabriel plays
reville. In the meantime, it would be
pleasanter for all concerned If mill
owners had gumption enough to rea-
lize when they are up against the in
evitable, and to make virtue Of nee
essity by granting a little Of what
operatives ask.-Fountain Inn Tribune.