New-York tribune., 1878-06-05
STOP Jr NOWt

We have been promised repetition Of last Sum,
mePs railway aud mining troubles. Those who
never believe what they do not want to believe,
have treated the warning as mere croak. But what
has been, may be, and like causes are usually fol
lowed by like effects. The risk being what II
is, we cannot afford to disregard any sign
of the times. Last Monday 700 miner
near Charleston, w. Va, INDUCED in
small preliminary demonstration. 1t was the old
story. Unwilling to work themselves, and deter
mined that nobody else should work, they stole the
steamer Modoc which was something like piracy
and went to Blacksburg to compel the miners there
to strike, which was not unlike conspiracy. The
methods which they adopted were highly
persuasive. They proposed to kill, by knock
ing on the head drowning, every Blacks
burg miner who insisted upon keeping to his work.
Under such circumstances, the mission could not fail
of success. The Blacksburgers all yielded, thougb
sorey against their will. Highly encouraged, the
Charleston mob invaded train on the Ohio and
Chesapeake Railway and came home, every one on
the free list compelling the conductor TO stop and
to go on at their pleasure.
Last year most of what were called the labor
troubes began in this small way. little ener-
getic aud timely action the part of the peal
authorities would have saved millions of dollars
and many lives. We hope to hear that the leaders
at least of the West Virginia rioters have been
snmmarily arrested and locked up for trial.
IL they are not. if their offence is over
looked, because they have killed nobody
and destroyed nothing, there may be meian-
cholly dOings there before the season is over. l
is criminal folly to wait for fullblown insuuection
before dealing vigorously with the lawless. We
have already tried that mild and milky policy.
with what results we need not say. OF course, II
West Virginia cannot maintain order and prevent
anarchy within her borders, it will be neces-
sary for the United States to go to her
assistance The sooner she lets MS know
what she proposes TO do, or TO try TO
do the better for all concerned. Riots are con-
tacious. One mob breeds many. The temporary
success of the disorderly In one place, encourages
tbe disorderly in another. In this case we do not
lool for the Imprisonment OF the whole seven nun
dred offenders-it will be sufficient TO deal ylgor
ously and condignly with a choice selection nom
their ranks.
Suppose nothing is done. Then the Charleston IN
surcents are given to understand that they can
steal steamboats, and invade railway trans Win
Immunity, Next, if left to themselves, they VIII
burn the houses Of the bosses and managers shoot
all who do not join the strike plunder the baggage
cars. stop the passenger trains, occupy the
months of the mines. and do whatever else
is agreeable to their ideas of liberty and
progress. The Governor Of West Virginia will then
wake up. Troops at great expense viii be sent TO
the scene of the disorder Possibly few men each
aide will be shot bat the main result will be that
those will be committed TO prison who should have
been nut there a month OF two before. What
clumsier way could there be of dealing with q
public danger3 We have tried 1t once-is any
State. county, town foOlhardy enough to Try 1t
againi