Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-07-27

1t is a deplorable condition of affairs
which we are called upon TO chronicle this
week. The fearful scenes of violence and
bloodshed in Baltimore, Pittsburg, Read
ing, Buffalo and other places throughout
the country are such as have never before
occurred in this country, and a week ago
would have been deemed impossible. The
suddenness of the outbreak and the way in
which the contagion OF lawlessness has ex-
tended from road to road and city to city,
show either very extensive secret organiza-
tions on the part of the strikers, or a wide
spread desperate state of feeling among the
railroad employees, the result of hard times
and repeated reduction of wages. The oc-
casion of the strike is the attempt to reduce
wages simultaneously on Two or three
roads connecting at several points, thus
giving cause to a general discomfort and
opportunity for a combination in mischief.
Before the employees of the Baltimore and
Ohio and the Pennsylvania Railroads for
feted the respect Of decent people, and by
their acts declared themselves outlaws and
the enemy of society, they had very good
cause. 1t is certain that public sentiment
along the line of the former road was very
much in their favor. Indeed, there was a
good deal in their case to call forth sympa-
thy. By the latest statements of the officers
of the Baltimore and Ohio its net earnings
were nearly four and a-half millions, and
dividend of ten per cent was paid on its stock
last year. 1t has always been believed that
the road isstrong. 1t was when itentered into
9hot 4.
ten per cent dividends were being declar-
ed, the wages of employees were constantly
being cut down until first-class brak emen
and tiremen who had been on the road
years were paid but 81 .5s, and second class
employees but Sl.35 per day. The ease of
the Pennsylvania Railroad is little differ
ent. Its last report, afler paying high rent
ais on leased lines, the interest on its bond
ed debt and an 8 per cent. dividend, show
ed surplus of over million and half
dollars.
If these statements of the financial cond-
Iion and the business of the roads are true,
there is no good reason for the reduction of
the wages of the employees. If the case
were otherwise, il the managers had even
presented their case 10 their men, shown
them that they were doing a losing bust
ness, expressing purpose 10 make their
hardship as light as possible and promis-
ing a return to better rates on the revival of
business, it is quite probable that a portion
of this trouble might have been obviated.
1t is in that spirit that President Wander
bilt of the New York Central has approach
ed the employees Of that road. He tells
them that their interests are identical with
the stock holders, and that their faithfulness
shall not be forgotten or go unrewarded.
The strikers, however, by their conduct,
have succeeded in driving away from them
any and all the sympathy which Justice
loving public would have extended. If the
men were not satisfied with the wages paid
ii was their right to leave their situations,
ana If there was any unfairness in the
treatment extended to them the press and
the public would not have overlooked il.
But, instead of doing what nobody could
have disputed their right to do, Instead of
combining themselves TO peaceful measuers.
such as become good citizens, the strikers
chose, deliberately, TO put themselves on
level with roughs and ruffians, TO use vio-
AohOo aBoluot iuNu WIN h6I6 WILING 10
work, to destroy property, TO trespass up
on the rights Of innocent and unoffending
third parties, 10 obstruct the channels of
business, to resist the execution of the
laws and to incur the hostility of every
peaceably- disposed man and woman in the
land.
1t should be Tememb ered, however, that
TO great extent the matter of wages is only
the pretext and not the occasion of this ter
rible uprising. The concerted strikes, all
through the Middle and Northwestern
States. may be regarded as a movement al
most separate from the frightful mob rule
that has appeared at Pittsburg and else
where. 1t is only by the accession of the
floating criminal classes of the community,
OF men reckless through suffering, and 9th
ers ready to seize any opportunity for plum
der, that has made such a strong demon
stration possible. The hard times have
created hard element in our society which
takes this opportunity to exploit itself.
The only remedy which can be applied in
the present stage of the difficulty is the
strong arm OF the law. The violators Of
peace and order must be brought into SUBJ
lection and punished. Then let the strik-
srs present their grievances like honorable
deserving men, and they will doubtless be
1iSlaned 10.