Trade Unionism New and Old (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 Excerpt: ...which only needs the opportunity to display itself. The Seamen and Firemen's Union may have erred in policy, but it has in it the elements of great good for the brave crews who man our mercantile marine. X. Progress of other New Unions.--These two Unions are but samples of those called into existence during the last two or three years. The Railway Workers' Union has been already adverted to; it is constituted upon the basis of the Dockers' Union. The Gas-workers' Union is similar, in most respects. The same may be said of the Carters' Union, the Tramway Men's Union, and many others, including the Women's Unions recently established. The objects in all cases are the improvement of the condition of the workers in the particular industry, or industries, for some recent Unions are not confined to one industry, but include workers of various kinds. Those are rightful objects, and commendable in all respects. Men may differ as to the means adopted, the policy pursued, the action of some of the members, or the tone and attitude of the leaders, but the amelioration of the condition of the working classes is an object worthy of the highest praise. Nor can it be said that the efforts made during the last two or three years have been unattended with success. Immense progress has been made, progress so vast that it seems as though we were reaping the harvest of a whole century's work, in the course of a single season. Year by year the seed has been sown, and the land tilled and manured; the weeds also have been plucked out by the roots, and the growing crops have been watered by diligent hands. But it seemed as though the grain would never come to maturity. Suddenly, as it were, the sky cleared, the sun shone brightly, warming with its rays the backward crop, soon to r...