The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-01-06
The Telegraph Operators, strlke.

The business of the country has
been materially interfered with. during
the past few days, by a general strike
on the part Of the operators in the
employ of the Western Union Tele-
graph Company. The strike grows
out. of reduction Of the wages of
operators employed in San Francisco.
and is the fruit Of a secret league
among the operators, which is said to
number two thousand FIVE hundred
members The Missouri Democrat,
in commenting on the strike, uses the
following language:
We are not called upon to enter
into any discussion of an extended
nature on this matter at present. But
it will be observed that there two or
three points that are cf prominent
significance. The operators who have
| found occasion for dissatisfaction it
will be observed, are limited to San
Francisco. They are asserted to have
refused to accept a reduction of
salary, which they considered "un-
fair" No statement appears as to
| the reduction made, nor as TO the fact
of its being too high before reduction.
For anything that appears, the
salaries paid may have been the con-
tinuation of exhorbitant rates which
were common in all grades of employ
ment In years past. before California
was open to direct connection and com
munication with the rest of the con-
tinent, and time and circumstances
may have made reduction not only
pertinent, but absolutely demanded
by a just consideration of mutual re
sponsibilities. But if this be SO, the
| operators apparently cared nothing
for it, and feeling that they had the
power to strike a deadly blow at the
| business interests of the country, by
refusal to perform duties which they
knew but few were educated to, they
| elected to use that power to coeTce a
compliance with their demands at
all hazards. Their brethren, bound
by oaths to sustain them, take
up their cause, and consent to in
hict an uDmerited wrong upon
cities and communities entirely IN
nocent of any completely in the first
act, and who can do nothing
absolutely Dothing-to set 1t right
The manner of the strike, too, is TO
be noted It is the part of honor aud
of mutual obligation, for both en-
ployer and employed. to give a decent
notice of the termination of cUnnec
tions that involve the interests of
both. These obligations are greatly
| heightened when the interests of others
are involved, and become demands Of
I the highest moral consideration when
multitudes of interests-tbe values Of
mercantile fortunes-and even the
separation for all time of the sick and
| dying areiinvolVed.
And yet, without one word of
notice, without moment Of confer
ence, without a complaint Of personal
grievance, asserted or implied, the
sixteen operators in St. Louis rise,
by p~econcerted arrangement, each
man from his table, and leave the
| office with no word, except the writ
ten announcement left behindl No
man can utter word of justification
nor accord a sentiment of respect for
such acts, performed In such man
ner. They strike at the very root Of
personal confidence, and leave nothing
but evil in their effects. What the
result OF such attempts at dictatioD
may be it is easy to foreshadow, and
it needs no argument to show that 1t
is the outgrowth of a most vicious
system of vindictive selfshness. We
care not to say more at present.