The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-07-21


mony in the views expressed By the
public.
S,ME days ago we remarked that we
fss-ei that this strike WAS but slight
surface indication-a mere blotch upon
tue skin-of diseased body; that it was
mere pimple. and that the entire sur.
face would be covered with 1t before the
cure came. 1t is easy enough to de-
nounce the strikers, aud toll them
that this is no way to accomplish their
purposes but 70 men who are starving
yol mus, point better way. The dis
esse is in our body polite, and putting
down strikes by the musEet and the
sword may heal the sore over
temporarily, hut it will not make the pa.
,lent we'll. The disease will still iInger
IN the system, and is liable to break out
again NJ any moment.
This question is now up; it will be
discussed, and 1t viii, not down st the
bidding of any power. Statesmen, po'
lHcal economists, employees, all, this
G .s.tion of labor and of wages demands
Your most earnest and thoughtful con-
sideraton.
Here is one thought presented by the
Baltimore Gazette, which the officials OF
tue railroad may ponder witn profit.
Periods OF trial and difficulty, by laying
bare the elements of weakness, often
tesch valuable lessons in most impress
siye way. Ia this country, where pub
lie opinion is 50 powerful, no great in
terest can afford TO cut itself loose from
the affection and confidence of .he people
with whom II comes IN contact No
bank, manufacturing company, railroad
or Canai-nO, not euen mum clpal or
State governm-nt-can evert Its greatest
efficiency unless II enjoys the respect
with d. III vthcl,l relations. Tne'e
Is always lricuOn, n hslt-hesrted ser
vice, or q latent resistance which at n
favorable moment may become danger
Gus. A hard, relentless exercise OF!
power may appear to work WI TOR a
while, but any sudden event MAJ reveal
its inherent weakness. This Is striking
Iy true of long lines OF transportation,
such AS canals and railroads. Vast mil
lions of property stretched along in a
slender line through forests and noun
tsins tunnels and bridges, are, in mill
tary sense, peculiarly vulnerable and
weak. When it stretches through a
hostile country, it requires large
military force to protect 1T Tor
every mile contains vital point. The
cost of defending railroad passing
through country of disafected or riot
Gus people, borne by the railroad alone
would consume large part OF It's profits;
and even then it would be less secure
than it would be Is resting safe in the
affections and local interests OF the peO-
pie along ITS line. Then every citizen
becomes its supporter and defender
There is no need of military force
- guard its franchises and its property,
Tor every farmer or trsdesmsn or manu-
!ayturer along its line has personal In
lerest in its security. The constable is
sufficient. Those roads have best with
stood the present period OF business stag
nation which, by low local rates have
built up y large local trade and trAve!
Some OF the great lines of transportation
IN this country have in this way struck
their roots into the soil through which
they pass, and create an immense busl-
ness which they afterwards enjoy. Pros
porous manufacturing villages spring
up a. every station; the local sgricul-
tyrsl interests thrive, and great
cities come into existence rs by magic
The necessities of rapid communi
cation between such cities and villages
brings large business to the lines of trans
Portsuon. Where 8 contrary policy is
pursued and the efforts of the road are
directed to control through trade and
travel to the sacrifice of the local inter
eSts, the line OF the road remains almost
wilderness between its terminI. Local
manufacturers are strangled, and villages
snd towns remain stunted and lfeless.
The people do not rally to its support in
It's time OF need, and the great corpora
ton finds out al last that policy liberal
and encouraging to the interests along Its
hne is the cheapest and safest in the long
run.