Andrew Carr Cameron

Background

Cameron was born in Berwick-on-Tweed on September 28, 1835, a time of great social unrest in Scotland. His father was a a printer who decided to emigrate to Chicago when Andrew was 17.

Education

His education was limited to elementary school, but he was unusually adept at articulating his beliefs.

Career

He became a printer and was soon a leader in the Chicago Typographical Union. He left the Chicago Times to become editor of the Workingman's Advocate, the official organ of the Chicago Trades Assembly. His editorial opinion extended his influence across the country among labor leaders and rank and file. When labor leaders extolled the strike as a labor weapon, Cameron advocated that it be used sparingly. He called instead for political action at the ballot box. His editorials also advocated the eight-hour day. Cameron never gave up his basic political strategy for labor, which was to exhaust mediation and political leverage before resorting to the strike. He pointed out that both sides lose when men walk out.

After sixteen years as publisher of the Advocate, he discontinued the paper, and became editor of the Inland Printer, the leading technical journal for the trade in the United States at that time. He had in no way lost his sympathy and enthusiasm for the welfare of the producing classes, but the movement had passed to other issues, issues for which Cameron had not the same zeal.

Nearly a century later, the philosophy of political leverage for labor, advanced and advocated by Andrew Carr Cameron had been accepted by most responsible American labor leaders. Cameron's editorial opinion has had a profound effect on the American labor movement.

He purchased the Artist Printer, which he edited until his death.

Achievements

• As editor of the Workingman's Advocate and as opinion maker, he was considered the greatest labor leader of his time.

Membership

Cameron was president of the Illinois St. Andrew Society, 1889-90 and a member of the Typographical Union.

References

• History of the Labor Movement in the United States, Vol. 1: From Colonial Times to the Founding of the American Federation of Labor
• History of the Labor Movement in the United States Vol. 2: From the Founding of the A. F. of L. to the Emergence of American Imperialism