The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1924-09-12

HISTORICAL survey
Among the pagans manual labor
was considered unworthy OF anyone
except slaves Christianity gave 1t
a new dignity. The Son OF God spent
the major portion OF his earthly So
iourn as common laborcr. plying
the carpenters trade. The great
Apostle OF the Gentiles was tent
maker by trade. The twelve apostles
were practically all common laborers
chosen BY Christ to represent Hun
and as his work here on earth.
The slavery OF the pagans was
succeeded by serfdom. |. G.. certain
lands were allotted to workers who
owned and TILED them. but were
certain oblig ;ations to masters. Alter
their emancipation from this condi-
ton and the workers became fully
free they formed guilds for mutual
self-protcction. T hese tiourished
chiefly during the Middle Ages. err
roneously called the ark Ages. Before
this. objects needed by a family were
made by the family. With the crafts
arose a special class OF laborers max
ing objects for others. The craft
guilds controlled the manufacture.
the wages and indirectly the prices.
bat they did much more. They were
humanitarian. They established bene-
nj societies for the sick and the aged
and treated all such with true chris
tan benevolencc. In the course OF
time all apprentices failed to become
master-workman. who in turn worked
for their masters as journcymen. But
because OF restrictions placed upon
apprentices and heavy entrance fees
demanded. the guilds began to dis
integrate. In the 18th century the
most drastic change came with the
new inventions which revolutionized
industries and destroyed the indie
pcndence OF the workers. These adj
verse conditions together with the
new view OF economists, that legisla-
ton should not Interfere with indus
try. so annulled the guilds that a
comparative slavery existed.
Finally the governments began to
recognize the necessity OF inferments
where workmen were powerless them
selves. Factory laws were introduced
in spite OF the opposition OF employ
ers. This. together with the form
ulating OF the doctrine of a just
wage by Pope Leo XIII, Bishop Won
Kettler and others. with the assistance
of the trade unions and arbitration
committees. have somewhat amelio-
rated the condition OF the laborer.
The Catholic church has at all times
championed the cause OF the work
ing class. Pope Leo's encyclical
Condition OF the Working Classes
is master piece in style. language
and thought coming from one who
for many years was the visible head
of the whole Catholic church
Lei us NOW NNitti tAeNhRth ~ N'>
duties OF employees and employers.
Ethical Aspect
Obligations OF Workingman.
|. They must act with diligence
and care according TO the nature OF
the work.
y. Deliberate waste OF time. eul-
pablo negligence and all such are acts
of Injustice. grave or light according
to the matter.
3. They must infici no loss on
the employers by waste OF material
turning out OF inferior goods. injury
TO machinery. etc.
4 Losses c~ased by accident need
not be paid for unless there j.
special contrac, to that effect
$. They have right 10 form their
own organizations. explain their
grievances and seek legitimate re-
iress.
6 They must not injure me per-
ION or property OF the employee or
,se caiumny or other unjust means