New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-04-19
The Railroad Question.

t. ne T5itro Of The " y Tribune
SIR: In order to make myself fully acquainted with
the whole facts concerning the drivers strike called yesterday
upon one the Presidents of the city railroads in whom
have great confidence Of strict integrity and asked
him ., state whether that the drivers on his road
been moesel in the peaceful pursuit OF their laval
business He stated that he would have no difficulty what
running all the his road with the usual rrn
larty that the old drivers are steadily ana
peIs silently ieeTuc insulting threatening ana III many
following 70 their homes and beating the new drivers ana thus
inmdang and terrifying them so that they are ID realty
afraid Of their lives This in my Judgment is proceeding
Tic drivers have perfect right demand g 20 FOR their
IN their places at 81 per they eau The fact that the
old drivers s remain about the depos Of the railroad com
panes instead Of gong peacefully 10 o'beT phces Oh
ment Is significant fact implying that they cannot se he
ing Them Labor governed 10y te same I"s oi tage .a
govern other kind Of service commodity supply and
demand is the great regulator OF prices IL there are more
aborers than are wanted labor vi" De cheap mere ALe
less labor will be high All intelligent men Will at once ADMIT
this human ingenuity permanently alter the case
IL is the great law Of trade. ana Jnst as ~
law Of that water VIII md Its level The drivers are
unfortunate in making their effort TO advance their wages Just
at this time. All branches OF trade nave been eAtcedhEy
Improbable the Of the and the con
sequence that large numbers men heretofore engaged IN
the different branches Of trade are oct OF employ.
The first impulse Of employers when trade rs disastrous Is 20
reduce expenses by the discharge of part Of their help and
process industry has been going in all branches Of
industry for months past The consequence that numbers
ling to take drivers position until they do better and it
De denied that The railroads have night to employ
I
heard il said that they have rights An association
of individuals has the right bny a. the market pee
that an individual and has the right 20 be projected
in tie peaceful Of It's business The citv railroads
pay their taxes as regularly as ndvd2a anu TIER
have right prevent others from working Tor them
than the employees Of ndydn have Let US suppose rs
an illustration the employees Of Messr il b. Clahin
Co. should strike and others should take their places
would be tolerated that the strikers should be permitted 70
stand around the premises eernc insulting threatening and
beating those who took their places and wond not the city
become liable TO that firm for injury TO its business such
should be the RESULT
II to that there is principle involved In this 9uo
tiOn Of far than ~ generally supposed
employees corporation be threatened and beaten 70
them from work at the price agreed upon the EN-
poyes OF individual he; and established, this
principle would lead fearful results The press and the pub
lie demand that the shall be and in their
denunca0n Of the railroad companies for no. submitting 70
the demands Of the drivers; but If the drivers may rghtiy
refuse allow others work at 90 per day they may with
equal right say they shall work ri G which IN reality
what they dong Is 1t not time for thoughtful people
pause and reflect upon where this state OF things may lead
ETASON.