ABSTRACT
A trades union is a society composed of working men; and each of the societies comprises only those who are employed in some particular business, or in some special department of the business. Thus masons, carpenters, hatters, gas-fitters, in fact, almost every class of labourers, have their own trades union. Trades Unions are almost invariably denounced, because it is erroneously supposed, that the only object they seek to attain is to supply an organization which will enable labourers to enter into combinations. Friendly societies when well managed, are regarded as most excellent institutions; and, as a general rule, the funds of a trades union are administered with strict integrity. A strike and a trades union both imply a combination; but those who combine to form a trades union, may never consent to allow the combination which is thus formed, to supply the organization which a strike requires.
