New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-08-02
been much more difficult and the restoration of peace
and resumption of traffic much longer postponed.
TIE RAILROAD IN POLITICS.

ana resumption OF t1atic muCn longer pOStPVhOu'
THE RAILROAD IN POLITICS.
STANLEY MATTHEWS BELIEVES THAT CONGRESS
WILL ow HAVE To TANK ACTION IN REGARD
To STRIKES.
IFRON A STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBuNE'i
CoLuMBUs O.. July Ex-senator Stanley
Matthews thinks nat result Of the great railroad
strike will be bring questions 10 the front1n Ma
tonal politics. The substance Of his views on TINS inter
estine subject as expressed during an hours conyersa
ton to-day. give below. not attempting however TO
repeat the Senator's exact language:
1.-THE blockade Of the railroads throughout the country
has called public attention to the immense importance
OF the rail transportation system to the welfare OF te
The railroads the veins and arteries OF ,ne
country and circulation along them cannot be III
peded for even few DAYS without disastrous cohse-
auenccs II Of the utmost importance that the WORK
ing Of the roads should be regular and sys-
tematic and free from danger Of interruptions
through dsagroements between the companies
and their operatives 1t the right OF the public to pro
tect itself against the recurrence OF such peron oi "
sncss and against runous stoppagc Of trade and travel
AZ we are now passing through. The events OF the past
week have shown that and local authorities are as
q rule poworcss deal with general stiiAe. Su'h
strike is not limited TO state lines and If the Onclas OF
one State are sufficiently strong and energetic 10 over
come the opposition OF the trainmen on road "i'nh
Their borders II may happen that In the ADJOINING Sia'e
through which the ROAD passes tit StllAVS VIII nav 'O
ul,per band People turn instuctvely TO the General
Government for remedy Thus, in the present case we
have seen the President called upon By the GoNehors OF
five on six 70 interfere and execute the laws ana
We have the scattered remnants 81 our hte res-
lar army brought from widely different points TO aid in
putting down riots
some actor" he continued, d" viii he demanded Of
Congress at the next to protecthe public against
new and perhaps more dangerous disturbances. The
railroads are like other corporate or private enter
pses They cross State lines, and their efficient man
agemeut an affair vitaY affecting the whole body oil
the people blockade in Chicago may be oil more III
porance 20 the people of The state OF NewYor than one
within tnelr own borders. Fortunately the Cohst'u-
ton in tho articles relating 10 postroute and to com
erce between the states coniers upon Congress ample
mower to cgsae upon this question and there can De W
tie doubt that hevaCuo OF the last fen carSln
that direction win crystalline INTO something 'ahs
HE under the pressure " puzzle necessity. IN any
measures which may be adopted the liberty Of employees
10 combine 10 demand such price as toy choose TO set
uoon their labor must he mierfefed With 1d the
right of The companies 20 INTO the labor market ana
get the cheapest service they obtain should o course
be recognized What the Government can do u 10 pro
tect the public against the consequences OF stl"Ss ny
asserting supervision over the roads AID oosnS DOM
parties TO an quasTels about wages to submit helT dHer
enes 10 tribunal Of arbitration. The Government can
sav 10 the compane. aud their men, The public il
teres viii not permit the OF transit 10 ne book
you odds with each other You must
tuue 10 operate your roads and leave your dispute 10 an
impartial tribunal provided by the United sta es- =
surrr method OF dealing with strikes of all kinds has
been IN practice Tor some time ID Great Britain WIN
complete success The compulsory principle is perhaps
not introduced because the law made 10 meet the
case of minors and other Trades Unions strikes rather
than 10 railroads There is country IN Europe where
strikers woul dare blockade railroad for single
hour. Fall information rs o. the En.ish system VIII De
obtained in time to present TO Congress
Senator Matthews thinks that il tie direction Of the
Government concerning itself more mSmatoiy with
great industrial interests the AZ cultural Depart
rent should be made Bureau ot Industry, instead o. a
petty seed distributing T. should be says tale
cocn:z4uce o. an questions affecting labor, and should
furnish a medium through which labOring men could
present their arguments 10 Congress and tue country II
Should perhaps embrace such Tn 1unal for the settle
uent of strikes rs he sugg This OF new nd
Of usefulness for The much-despsed Agricultural De-
parmcn Mr. Matthews broua ht forward in his speeches
in Tie Presidential canvass. IL will no doubt prepare d
billion he subject 81 railroad strikes TO introduce ia the
Senate at the opening OF the forthcoming session.