The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-09-03

movement that the public to which the
traffic belongs is entitled TO instant and
effective protection against all violent IN
terruption, il the first place, from the
proper local authorities and the Stste 1t.
self, and in addition thereto, when their
force is found inadequate, as it has been
found in so many cases during the recent
troubles, from the government OF the
United States.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST PRO-
TECT INTERSTATE COMMERCE.
1t is well known that the government
uses the railway lines of the country, both
as postal and military highways, IN such
form Us its interests may require. The
Constitution OF the United States imposes
upon the government the duty OF
thoroughly protecting interstate COM
merce When 1t Is considered that the
stock and bond holders OF the various
railway companies, whenever the lhte-
rests of the government required 1t, PAID
taxes upon their coupons, their dlVidehds
and their gross receipts, that they prompt
lv met every call made by the Federal
authorities, and that the entire equip
ment OF the various lines was often
placed at the disposal OF the govern
ment for the prompt movement
of the national forces and their supplies
TO the exclusion otter OF other and more
profitable traffic, 1t would seem but
matter of equity that the government
should insure such protection TO these
railways as would preserve their useiul-
ness aud keep them always IN condition
to render similar services when they may
be required But over and beyond such
considerations rs these the absolute de-
pendence OF the whole community upon
this great system OF railways Tor almost
It's very existence as civilized OOuy
would seem 70 impose upon the federal
government IN the last resort the supreme
duty of preventing any lawiess and Vlo-
ienL interference with the regular and
certain operation OF every railway IN the
United States.
This insurrectlOn, which extended
through fourteen States, and IN many
cases successfully deied the local au'
thoritics, presents state OF facts almost
AS serious rs that which prevailed at the
outbreak OF the civil war Unless cur
own experience is to differ entirely from
other cOuntries-aud 1t Is not easy TO see
why it should, with the increasing pop
ulaLion of our large cities and business
centres, and ne inevitable assem- mblage at
such points OF the vicious and evil dis
posed-the late troubles may be but the
prelude TO other manifestations OF mob
violence, with this added peril that now,
for the first time in American history
has an Organiz ii mob learned Its
power TO terrorize the law-ablding CIT
Izens OF great communities. With
our recent experience before u.s. it Is be-
lieved that no thoughtful man can argue
in favor OF delay by the proper auIhorl-
ties IN dealing with MwIcss and rotous
sssemblages Delay simply leads TO des-
tructIon OF property and may lead IN the
end TO destruction OF lie. The force
used to suppress such assembIages should
Ue as prompt in Its manifestation rs the
evil with which 1t deals. The interests
incurred are too grave ~ admit OF delay.
The rising OF the black flag and the stop
page OF ali vessels on the great lakes and
on the Mississippi and ONO rivers you'd
not produce one tithe OF the damage TO
the whole country that has resulted iron
the recent stoppage oI the great trunk
ines. The burning OF the vessels
aud the Cargo-s on these waters would
raise storm OF wrath which no mob
would dare to face, and would be visited
by the United States Government under
existing laws with most eAemp ary pun
isAment But what distinction can be
established between such crime and the
hldeou- destruction AZ Pittsburgh OF over
eighteen hundred cars laden with the
products of the various States, together
with the eRgines ready TO move them TO
their destlL alton, and the station build
ings and machine shops that were abs)-
lutely essential 10 their proper care and
movement, and which with other like
dolngs resulted ia the stoppage Of all
commerce and busiues, relations between
the States, not only on one
highway, but on many important
lines through the concerted action
of the mob and lis lesders2 In the
city OF Pittsburgh much human life and
many private dwellings and other prop
erty were sacrificed rs the result OF mob
violence; indeed it is almost marvel
that large portion OF that cily was not
destroyed by fire. Only the prevailing
direction Of the wind averted greater
and more general disaster.
HOW CAN PROPERTY BE PROTECTED
QUICKLY.
The authority otsthe United States
now potent TO protect commerce moving
upon the waters, should be equally po-
tent when the same commerce Is exposed
to greater peril upon land. This
brings US, then, to the practical
question. in what shape can
TINS protection be put so rs to be extend
ed most efficiently and with the leas. de
lay? The present regulations all favor,
unintentional.y. ,he rioters and the mob.
In the first pace the Mayor Of city
must exhaust MS power, the Sheriff of
the county must essay his strength; then,
while precious time is eGpended-for q
mob constantly attracts dangerous ele-
ments and grows with impunity and sue
cess-the Governor of tho State must be
called upon by the Sheriff Of u county
II the State happens " have an effective
military organization, which At the pres
ent time is the case IN perhaps L OF more
than five out OF the thIrty-seyen States OF
the Union, the Governor can call cut the
military forces and suppress the
riot. II the State mas no such
organization, or II the mill
tary forces OF the State prove made
quate to the emergency, the Governor Is
paralyzed, and mus. call Hpon the
United Slatss tor assistance II the su-