3-22-15 read a book or heard a story by Mark Twain...Labor History in 2:00

[Omaha Steve]

http://laborhistoryin2.podbean.com/e/march-22-1427024567/




March 22, 2015
At some time during your life you’ve probably read a book or heard a story by Mark Twain.

But did you know that this renowned American author was also a strong supporter of labor?

In 1835 he was born Samuel Clemens in town of Hannibal, Missouri.

2:00 minute audio at link.

[unrepentant progress]

1. The New Dynasty speech

"Who are the oppressors? The few: the king, the capitalist, and a handful of other overseers and superintendents. Who the oppressed? The many: The nations of the earth; the valuable personages; the workers; they that MAKE the bread that the soft-handed and idle eat. Why is it right that there is not a fairer division of the spoil all around? BECAUSE LAWS AND CONSTITUTIONS HAVE ORDERED OTHERWISE. Then it follows that if the laws and constitutions should change around and say there SHALL be a more nearly equal division, THAT would have to be recognized as right."

-- Mark Twain, "The New Dynasty" speech delivered to the Monday Evening Club in Hartford, CT; March 22 1866. Published in The New England Quarterly; Vol. 30, No. 3 (Sep., 1957), pp. 383-388 (http://www.jstor.org/stable/362995)