National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-01
HBOYCOTTING."
What it is-ROw IL is Done-Ifs Efficacy
in Ireland.

What il is-H0w it is D0ne-Ifs Efficacy
in Ireland.
The word Boycotting" has beenadded recently
TO the literature Of Irish politics. The operation of
bOycotting, growing out of the practice first and
most sgnally put upon an Irish farmer of that
name very recently, is among the simplest yet
Eurest means of bringing pressure to bear on
landlords OF any that has been devised. II can
ly be carried out effectively by people acting in
unison and the secrecy with which it is exercised
makes it a strong, though impalpable force. The
nearest approach TO it in England was the system
of what is called "picketing" by members Of the
trades union, when on strike, to prevent rats
or non-uuion men, from engaging to work for en-
plOyers at wages that the striking tradesunionists
had refused. In "picketing" the nOn-union men
were shadowed;'' that is to say watched wher-
ever they went by union men detailed by COM
mittee for that purpose, certain number of men
taking turn and turn about for this purpose,
These picketed workmen were first quietly ap-
preached and solicited to join the union. If they
refused, a
SYSTEM OF ESPIONAGE
and personal annoyance, supplemented by threat
ching letters, was enforced, that made their live
unbearabIe. But the English law made "pickets
ing an ofTense punishable by imprisonment and
the act of picketing being visible act, the law
could be brought into action against the offenders.
ampliieation oft. There is no overt act in boy
cotting for the law to take hold Of and the only
law that will touch the case is that of "con-
spiracy." But to prove conspiracy the persons who
are conspiring must first be discovered. Such
discovery in the of boycotting is almost liter
ally impossible. When It is determined by the
local council of the league to boycott" land
lord, all the persons in his employ are secretly
notified of the fact, and are warned that no one
will be permitted to work for him any longer. If
the crops have yet to be harvested they must re-
main untouched in the field under peril of the
vengeance ofthe league. When this order is issued
The landlords hands
SUDDENLY DESERT HIN.
Hired women, doing service in his household, as
suddenly disappear. The local tradesmen, to
whom he has looked for many Of the neccssaries
iIle, decline to deal with him. If he wants to
e any OF his cattle or any part Of the products of
iLs iaEln, he can find no buyers. 1t he have ten
aus ihey pay him no rent. If he attempts to
5"'er III his embarrassed crop or 10 market any Of
MS ar products he does it at the peril of his life,
"lu IS only safe, as he walks about his farm, when
guarded by detail Of the constabuIary. He is, in
point oil fact, as completely isolated and cut off
NOM assistance as he were alone with his family
IN me midst Of the Great Desert. He has no oneto
"N"n he can appeal for relief for in all his neigh
neiplng hand. He is under the
Ban OF THE LEAGUE.
Du' WHO pronounced the ban he docs not know.
Inc poWerthat assails him sinvisble butts rs sub
NeU lheairandas certain as fate. Unless conspiracy
,'ll De proved there is no law that can deal with
,no!eotlng. His farm hands have abandoned him.
ny! nave the right TO do SO unless they are work
,1e uiiuef contract. His domestics have quilted
-9 iooi III body. 1t is no persons business but
ieir OWE why they left it. The women of the adj
~ village refuse at any price even to do the
o ~sn'g OF the family as they refused Mrs. Boy
bo ,. VINO can compel them to wash when they
80 no mind to dc it? The local tradeSnen will
t r.,tcf sell goods to the boycotted landlord nor
s us produce No one has the legal right TO say
I-s sh;ll do otherwise. The shadow of the league
~; - mem all and whether willingly or unwill-
Ely whether in accord with it or dreading its
GGo-e''h ey have to yield obedience to its man