PENDING PROBLEMS FOR WAGE-EARNERS. 63 



In England the socialistic movement presents a different phase 

 of development ; there are fewer factions or cliques of social- 

 ists, and the tendency toward anarchism, while not so rabid as 

 among the most radical wing of the party in Germany, is appar- 

 ently even more generally diffused. Some of the recent social- 

 istic literature published in England has a decided flavor of an- 

 archism, at least in so far as it preaches the overthrow of laws by 

 which land is held in private ownership ; the private or corporate 

 ownership of all kinds of property, factories, railroads, telegraphs, 

 etc. ; and evidences are not lacking of widespread discontent and 

 unrest among the industrial population, which devours such litera- 

 ture with avidity. It is reported that a million copies of a single 

 book of this character have recently been sold to workingmen in 

 England, 



The latest cabled reports indicate that a reaction in labor senti- 

 ment has set in in England. There was recently a " Free Labor 

 Congress " in session at Newcastle. The president's opening ad- 

 dress is reported to have been " a vigorous attack on trades unions, 

 which, he declared, were manipulated by self-seekers, whose tyr- 

 anny disgraced the cause of labor." His association, he said, had 

 already formed " boards of conciliation " at many important cen- 

 ters. These boards were formed of equal numbers of masters and 

 operatives, and were all working in perfect harmony. An editorial 

 writer, commenting upon this cablegram, says : " The revolt from 

 trades unions was not unexpected. It was bound to come as soon 

 as the more intelligent workmen perceived that they could no 

 longer own themselves, but were virtually made slaves of the 

 lazy and inefficient members of the organization. It is singular 

 that this should have been perceived first in England instead of 

 in America." This writer is evidently not well posted in the his- 

 tory of the rise and fall of several labor unions in this country, 

 which a few years ago counted their members by thousands 

 where they now number units. Compared with a period of four 

 or five years ago the majority of the unions have sunk into a con- 

 dition of " innocuous desuetude/' controlled by cranks. 



Labor unions, however, should not all be classed under one 

 category, for some of these are beneficial organizations, with high 

 motives, sound constitutions, and, above all, wise leaders. Such 

 organizations are opposed to violence and disorder, encourage 

 harmony and arbitration, and are mutually beneficial and helpful 

 to employer and employee ; they are aiding to discourage the 

 spread of anarchism and socialism in this country. 



Socialistic theories are inimical to American ideas and princi- 

 ples, for the humblest workman is a free citizen, to whom a path- 

 way is opened to the highest positions of honor and wealth. 

 Many of our foremost men have risen from lowest origin, and 



