STATE CONVENTION—LABOR. 
2 57 
who have claimed to represent him in the councils of the state 
and nation. 
A few words in reference to the relation of labor to capital. We 
have shown some of the processes of labor, but as a general rule, 
in order to make labor remunerative we must have some capital to 
begin with, or else we must labor for some one who has. Some 
classes of business can be commenced with a comparatively small 
amount, while others, as railroads, require the combination of a 
large sum of money. But whether large or small, it would seem 
that labor and capital are each dependent upon the other, and that 
neither long can get on without the other, and therefore the natural 
conclusion is that they being mutually dependent ought to be the 
best of friends. But if either has the advantage, the chances are in fa¬ 
vor of capital, as capital is more easily combined, is more over¬ 
bearing and tyranical and can no longer subsist without labor 
than can labor without employment. Moreover capital has the ad¬ 
vantage in having obtained laws that enable it, for the time being 
at least, to extort a portion of the price of labor. 
That legislative reform is needed, and must be had to break up 
combinations of capital and prevent its absorbing the profits that 
justly belong to labor, no one can successfully deny. 
If government is but an extended system of co-operation, 
wherein each man is to furnish his full share of labor or capital to 
promote the general welfare, it follows as a matter of course that 
/ 
each man is entitled to his fair share or profit in the dividends 
which result from the diversified employments in which parties 
are jointly engaged. This is a case where equality in profits is 
equity. 
Therefore, if any man or combination of men by idleness, in¬ 
temperance or profligacy, fail to contribute their part, or if they 
obtain more than their fair share of profits, laws should be passed 
to punish or restrain, as the case may be, all such persons, or com¬ 
bination of persons, from thus injuring society. 
It is time that the producer, and the consumer as well, make an 
effort to counteract the evil effects everywhere complained of, 
growing out of combinations that manage the commerce of the 
country, and measurably absorb the profits on labor. 
17 
