ABSTRACT
Review of the Organization of Labour, in various stages, for many Centuries. (I.) Protective Power of Combination—The Old Trade Unionism assailed from within—Attacks were formerly mostly from without—The Solidity of the Old Trade Unionism— Trade Unions a Sanctuary for the Persecuted and Oppressed— A Fortress of Defence, and a Protection for Pioneer Workers in the Cause of Labour—Its Battles and Victories—The Adjustment of Differences not yet Finally Settled—The New Foes in the Garrison—Wager of Battle, Courting a Conflict, and Risking Defeat. (II.) Conduct of the New Leaders—Attacks upon their Officers, and upon the System—Sowing the Seeds of Discontent— Slander and Calumny—Labour Members—Endeavour to Weaken the Labour Army by Dissension—Progress of Labour during last Fifty Years—Conduct of New Unionists at Liverpool Congress, Vulgar Abuse—Treatment of Strangers and Guests—Misbehaviour during Discussion, and Concurring to ensure a Temporary Triumph by a “Snatch Vote.” (III.) Fighting Machines—Condemnation of Provident Benefits—The Railway Workers’ Union and the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, compared—Benefits of the Latter, and its Expenditure over a series of Years—Unionism for mere Trade purposes not a new feature, it is the old feature Revived. (IV.) Antagonism to Non-Union Workmen—The Use of Force, a remnant of old forms of Antagonism, which had practically died out—Repeal of Criminal Law Amendment Act gave scope to Moral Suasion, not power to Compel—Little Violence, 1875 to 1301889—Reverted to in 1889–1890—Examples cited—Aversion to Non-Union Workmen no new feature—Some Excuses for the Aversion—Freedom must be Respected—Objection to “Blacklegs,” “Scabs,” &c. (V.) Ticketing and Coercion—Action of Trades Congress—The Law therein cited—The Plymouth Case. (VI.) The Law of Libel. (VII.) Closing the Ranks—Attempt to Create a Monopoly of Labour at the Docks, under Authority of Dockers’ Union—Failure of the Manifesto to achieve its Object. (VIII.) The Dockers’ Union—Earlier Struggles—Men engaged in the Work of Organization—Attacks upon the Leaders—Progress of the Union—The Dockers’ Strike—The Constitution of the Society—Its Objects—Sub-contracts—Essential character of the Union. (IX.) The Sailors’ and Firemen’s Union—Early History and Progress— Great Strikes—Its Numerical Success—Objects of the Union enumerated— Their Reasonableness. (X.) Other New Unions — General Objects, mainly commendable—Success of the New Unions. (XI.) Outrages in connection with Labour Struggles.
