A Queer Goal by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 8, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 26.

A Queer Goal.

By Editor

AT the late convention of the Knights of Labor, a representative of the Christian Union "talked with those who seemed to be the thinkers of the movement" in regard to the goal which the labor organizations have in view. The following conversation with one who "had the manner of a sober, sincere, practical thinker," he says shows the "conscious goal," "in the majority of cases, among the real thinkers." Thus says the Union:—

"After we had talked a while, I said to him: At the present time labor receives about fifty-five per cent. of the product of industry. You intend to organize so that you may receive sixty-five. Will you then think that that is a 'just proportion of the product'? He hesitated for a moment, and then said, 'No.' I then asked him, What would you consider a 'just proportion'? After a moment's hesitation, he said frankly: 'If labor produces it all, I do not see why it should not receive it all.'"

But if labor receives all the product of labor, then there can be no employers; and if there be no employers, what then will the unemployed laboring man do? Such a scheme is sheer socialism, and that can only end in anarchy. This may be a conscious goal, but it seems to us a very queer one.

The Union representative then asks, "Will it in fifty years be avowed by the entire organization?" If in fifty months it is not avowed by the entire organization, we shall with pleasure confess ourselves mistaken.