The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1878-01-11
Coz. Harfrduff on the Jniy RiOfs.


Tie most interesting portion Of the Gov
ernor's message is that relating to the iali-
road riots of last July. After relating the
story Of the troubles the Governor thus re-
fers to the causes and effects:
Tbns ended the great railway strike OF 1877
in Pennsylvania, which resulted in Violence,
murder and arson, which caused the deaths or
fifty civilians and hve soldiers ano tue
womndinK and manning of hundred or more,
and the destruction OF millions Of doi are worth
While il is true that the workinameu who be-
gan il contempat no such terrible resuits- IL
cannot he denied that the manner In which they
proceeded to enforce their demands by stop
ping inland commerce aud seiZing the property
oiti zeus from their usual occupations, in def-
ance OF law, made the Sreach through which
der and destroy. BY thus inconsiderately in
viting the CD operation of the criminal classes,
in will be long before il can remove the sus-
piciOn and iistrust with which the people WIN
merits or the contest 1t is not necessary TO go:
whatever tie The rights or labor, mo duiS OF
the Executive is imperative. In the message
of 1875 were set for,h the principles which gov
ern the present administration in the discharge
nave given a,idtionai emphasis: mo disobedi-
ence or regularly constituted authority VIII oe
CORPORA, lions or combinations of men, No
sense OF wrong, however prievous VIII or snail
Justify violence in seeking indemnity therefCr:
The rights OF property must be respected, ana
no interference with its legitimate use VIII be
tOlera ted. Every man must Oc hilOWeu 10 sell
his own labor at his own price. and his working
must not Se interrupted, either by force or in
timidation For grievances, ,ancteo or reai' t
redress must be sought in the manner the law
provides, and no one must attempt 10 override
its process. II citi.ens will recognize these
principles as binding upon their cJnsclences
and actions, there eau be no necessity Tor tx,
ecutive interference to preserve the peace, Hnd
il must be understood, once FOR ALL that any
violation of private rights, or resistance to pub-
lie officers when in the discharge OF their duty,
will be summari'y dealt with and III the civil
authorities and the power OF the county cannot
maintain the supremacy of the law, then the
whole power OF the Commonwealth shall be
employed. II necessary, to compel respect Tor
authority"
Allegheny county entered upon an investiga-
ton, and summary demanded the ATTENDANCE
of the Governor and the civil ami military off,
GERS or the Executive Department to testify
before il. AS did snot think it tine time or
place for an impartial investigation of the
troubles, or concede the rights of the courts
command the ATTENDANCE OF coordinate
branch of the government, refused 10 attend,
and directed the civil aud military officers TO
refuse also. The question was submitted 10
with the views of the Department. ali appear
ance of conflict between the judiciary and Ex-
eeutiye was happily averted Should the Leg
islature deem II expedient to investigate the
subject. all Information in the possession or
the Governor or the Department, il any, in ad-
ition to that contained in the Ad1utant-Gtn-
erals report, and the appendix hereto, will be
promptly given.
broader and deeper lessons OF the strike, while
there is much to cause solicitude there is much.
of the problem. While capital held labor In
ignorance and bondage strikes were rare
Their frequent occurrence Is II proof that inbor
is growing more and more to an equality in
strength and importance to capital. 1nteli
gence hae spread itself among tue laboring
ciatses; tnsy have learned to read aud write
and to Interchange their views, and formed as
socations according to their new lights, for
their protection and advancement. And if in
this, as in many other cases. IA little learning
learning at all and is the progressive step to
higher Intelligence On the other hand, under
more and more dIfrused, and corpora lions grew
up collect the large and small amounts of
and conduct the great industries required by
modern society.
Tuese two results are the Inevitable conse-
Quences OF increased intelligence and civiifza-
ton, These great corporations, from the char
hcter Of the enterprises, are OF necessity. in
most cases, monopolies- AS such, the people
have right TO demand that while the profits
may accrue to private individuals, their man
aEeinent shall be above merely selfish a ms. and
coDsult & SO the public utility and welfare. II
has come 10 pass that in the conflict between
capital anc labor, the former Is almost wholly
represented by corporations and the latter by
ua rious orga niZajiOns.
The attitude OF the people towards these two
forces during the great strike has also deep
ienifcance. in the general sympathy for the
strikers, dulIed only by their own unlawful
acts. the workmen have assurance that tn all
right and lawful efforts to better their coudi-
tion they will have the aid of nearly all classes
OF their fellow citizens And in the prejudices
against the corporations. those who control
them may realize that the possession of great
wealth aud the contro of great enterprises i'm
pose obi igations to the pubic which they can
discern the two roads that may eventually lead
to the nnal set tlement OF the contest-the diffu-
mne, aad the conviction, on:the part OF capital,
that il has now to deal with equal competi-
tor whose claims and rights together viii h his
own. must be decided aud adjusted by arbitra-
tion. In this contest the primary duty OF the
State is to keep the peace, and secondsriy, so
far as laws III avail, to hasten the consum n "a
tion OF the result.
The Governor also repeats bis suggestions
on arbitration
II 1t is to be the interests OF the Republic
that litigation should cease; it is still more to
the interests of the people that the conflicts
between different classes should be brought 10
OF the civilized world that ,hc nation. cannot
afford to su bmit their differences to the costly
settled conviction that nothing can be gained
! by war of classes TO compensate for the loss
aiions, and the dangers threaten-d to in
! dividuAl independence ano free Institutions.
ground among the trading classes FOR adj Vi ing
/ the conf icting claims of individuals.
since; therefore arbitration has been sue
cessfully used to settle international questions,
and even the petty disputes of individuals. " ny
/ cannot the same peaceful agency oe invoked
! to adjust the relations of capital and labor
The subject. though important, is not new. but
| has fioated In public discussion for some time.
! and no apology Is needed for calling your at
| tcntion to the suggestions made in the mes
sage OF 1875. Does IL not seem practical to APP
point court of arbitration, composed of three
! OF more OF the judges Of our courts. as many
| operators, and like number or the represent
/ tatiyes or the work ingmen, whom could be
| referred the disputes arising between employer
and employees, 90 that at least a fun, fair and
| impartial discussion could be had. nd the pu H.
! lie enligntened upon the merits of the coLtro-
! versy and. if there was no Ieea; remedy. tn e
! force of public opinion would constrain the
! parties whose claims were arbitrsted, to do
/ Justice to those W no were wronged.
! Any plan IS surrounded with difficulties from
the constant changing relations of the great
/ interests involved aud the douhtfuiness of Sc
| curing n stable SET tleDcnt with the proper OPP
portunities of revision according to these vary
! ing conditions; but since labor has now or
! RanizatIons, and representatives by whom thess
! organizations will be 3oInd 1t seems practic-
able tn devise aome plan hy which all relations
| and disputes Of capital and labor can be har.
! moniously adjusted.
! The monster seen in The Mssissipp
/ River above Memphis a few weeks ago by
the captain and crew of towboat reap
/ peared the other day near island 95. This