A detail of trade-imioo history may be cited in illustration of their attitude toward the naturalrights principles that underlie modem business relations. As is well known, trade-imions have somewhat consistently avoided pecuniary responsibility for the actions of their members or officials. They avoid incorporation. Practically an employer t^ has had no recourse in case he suffers from a failure \i- ^ on the part of his union workmen to live up to the ''^.vf terms of an agreement made with the union. In [» a .^ English practice this exemption from pecuniary ^ ^^ responsibility has acquired much of the force of
ji^ law, and indeed was aupposed to have gained the
V countenance of statutory enactment, until, within
Ihe past few months, the so-called Taff Vale decision of the House of Lords reversed the views which had come to prevail on this head. This decision, by the most conservative tribimal of the British nation, is too recent to permit