The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-08-02
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1877.
THE STRIKES and THEIR REMEDY.

country Is DSiHS ousfheu W ioo Wy 49,
ter by one of the fercest and most extern |
sive conflicts between capital and labor |
known to history. It is the direct result |
of the prevailing business depression, |
superinduced by corporate folly and |
union of extravaganza, ignorance and |
desperation on the part of labor. If the |
times were flush railroads would be max |
ing money, and they could therefore at
ford to pay their employees good wages. |
But depression is the rule. Under even |
the ablest and most economical manage
ment railway stocks continue to depre-
ciate at rate truly appalling. 1t is not |
a question of profit with the companies
so much as an issue of life or death. |
Take for illustration the Baltimore &
Ohio road, where the present strike or
iginated. 1t is only few years since
that the company was doing q very -four
ishing business, its stock in consequence
being as staple and reliable as -four. OF
late it has deprecated rapidly, necessi-
tating rigid retrenchment in every sec
ton of the business. Its expenses must
be cut down or the road would eventu-
ally go the way of the Erie and other
kindred bankrupt concerns. But the
Baltimore & Ohio has not suffered most
in the depreciation of railway stocks.
Pennsylvania stock has fallen 20 per
cent. during the past year ; New York
Central % per cent. Chicago IL North
western 20 per cent.-an roads conduct
ed in the ablest, most economical man
ner. At this rate of deprication, how
long before they would each be in the
receivers hands, complete wrecks of a
former prosperity. Retrenchment is
their only hope of salvation. and en-
ployes mnst acquiesce in policy shaped
accordingly or give way to others who
will.
But there is another side to this sub
iect which will bear looking into. The
strikers claim, and with an appearance
of justice, that the companies are MAX
ing them bear the entire burden of an
insane competition for traffic between
themselves. No sooneris there decline
in transportation rates than the employees
wages must suffer a corresponding reduc-
ton. With them, they assert, the con-
test has become a question, not of mer-
camille existence, as with railway officers
and stockholders, but of physical life or
DEATH They propose that the companies
be compelled to adopt schedule of
rates which will permit the payment of
fair wages, if they ore now unable to do
SO. Let them calculate on paying their
employees a stipulated sum as certain
and Interchangeable as gold, and then they
may cut rates at their hearts content.
Do this, they say, or suffer the conse-
quences.
This dictatorial spirit is not confined
to railway employees, but pervades all
classes of workingmen, the strike inclnd-
ing nearly every description of artisans.
Under the pernicious system of trade
unionism, employers have comparatively
no voice in the management of the me-
chanical part of their business. Mem
bers of union once employed, they as
sumo the right of self government hir-
ing and discharging men; fixing the rate
of compensation imposing arbitrary
rules regarding the reception of EN-
ployes, and IN case their viii be thwart-
ed, strike is the consequence, otter
eliminating in riot and lawlessness. 4
lawIess spirit is abroad, and no one cal
read the papers and not receive daily in
dication thereof. Deeds of violence ant
brutal crimes common to all sections O
the country, abound. Justice is fire
quently only matter of muscle. People
are more in the habit of asking, SIS this
law right ?" than "What is law ~
Whether q law conflict or harmonic
with Justice, so long as it remains on the
statute books it should be enforced. The
law guarantees to every citizen the right
TO pursue legitimate avocation without
hindrance or molestation, corporations
having the same rights in TINS respect as
individuals. Rioters have been guilty
of incendiarism, murder and general law
iessness. A large portion of the public
have INDUCED i'll q vast deal OF maudlir
sympathy for the suffierings and wrongs
of the strikers. Granting they have suf
fered, it constitutes no palliation fol-
crime, and there is precedent in min
ing Pennsylvania which law breakers
generally would do we'll to heed. Every
deed of violence perpetrated invites re-
taliation, and she that taketh the sword
shall perish by the sword.
The present over crowded condition of
the labor market is the result of stead
lily increasing current vf l,,.Iui..tiO,, fru-u
the country to the railway and manufac
turing centers. All our large cities are
fleming with thousands of young and
middle-aged men, who have forsaken
farm life where comparative independ-
enee and prosperity was attainable fo1
the city where dependence, poverty and
desperation was inevitable. Farmers
sons leave the homesteads where good
living and fair remuneration is certain,
for situations with corporations and man.
ufacturing firms, at wages hardly suffi
cient to meet the necessities of life. As
our manufacturing industries expand,
the agricultural population floating city
ward increases men prefer the factory,
the workshop, the mill or The railway tc
the farm, aud as consequence the city
Al.