The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-20
TIE TELEGRAPHERs, STRIPE.

by the jury that makes up public opinion,
and from which there can be no successful
appeal. The reasons actuating the operators
in abandoning their tables and instruments
are undoubtedly satisfactory to them or they
would not have struck. But that is not
enough If they are to succeed in their de-
mands it will be only through the indorse-
ment of the public at large; and the conduct
OF the case before this high court ought to
be OF the wisest kind. To secure verdict that
will stand, every argument must be based on
justice and reason. Public opinion is some
times caught by a "hurra" but a ''hurra"
will not prevent reversal if sober second
thought does not sustain the first impulse.
An emotional verdict of the people never
did and never will stand against reason 1t
preme court of common sense that must be
sought If the telegraphers are right, the
second verdict will favor them. If wrong
it is certain IN the end to pronounce against
them. twill probably pass without ques-
ton that public sympathy at the present
time is largely with the striking operators
and this will give them a very desirable pres
tige But there is such a thing as losing
it. Public sympathy was with the striking
railroaders in 1877 at the outset, but when
under wild leaders, they began to commit
unlawful acts, eliminating in deeds of de-
struction that appalled, the nation, that sym
Il f,r, 4 +ba
pie began to organize for self-defense and
for the preservation of law and order What
was true in 1877 is equally true in 1888.
Like cause will inevitably produce like
effect. The right to strike, per Sc, is pretty
generally conceded. Any man or set of men
dissatisfied with the character, the amount Of
or the remuneration received, for their work
have the right to quit and to refuse to
work longer until the matter in
dispute is adjusted in manner
satisfactory to them. This is simply
the right of selfdefense, and in its exercise
any man or men must be sustained. In the
present case it appears that the employees of
the great telegraph companies are dissatisfied
with both their remuneration and the
amount of work required of them. Appeal
ing to the managers OF the companies in
whose employ they have been, their demands
have not been acceded to, and as a result,
the men have left their instruments and re-
fuse to work until some concession is made
In this they have not exceeded their rights as
citizens and as before said, public sympathy
is evidently with the men. This is particu-
larry true in the city of indianapolis, where
it is claimed employees are more poorly paid
than in any other city in the country
But while it may be conceded that opera
tors have only exercised their rights in going
on the strike, il need not necessarily be con-
coded that their action was WISE This is
for them to determine. The value of work,
like the value of wheat, depends on the law
of supply and demand. An unusually
large crop of wheat nearly always brings
down the price, and especially is this so if
the demand from any cause is curtailed. 1t
is just so with work in any department of
business. If the supply of operators is large
by reason of unusual numbers learning the
business, the tendency of the inevitable COM
petition for place of employment will
be to reduce wages. This is but the natural
result of conditions and cannot be changed
by statutory enactnents. If from this, or
any other cause, an operator finds that his
wages are insufficient he has the unques-
toned right to quit, and to refuse to work
until the wages offered him are sufficient to
meet his ideas of what is just The law does
not and cannot compel free man to work
for wages that he thinks are not CROUCH. On
the other hand, corporations and companies
can not Re compelled by statutory enactment
to pay certain wages if they can get the desired
work done tor less This is a question that
must be adjusted by the unwritten law of
supply and demand.
AS for the Western Union Telegraph Com
pany, too much cannot be said against some
of its practices 1t is grasping, conscience
less, and in some features tyrannica It's
stock OF about 500 900, 900 has been "watered"
up to $50, 900, 600 and even on this vast CAPT
tai 1t pays liberal per cent. in the way of
dividends. Ii is in position to pay its en-
ployes living wages, and this it ought to do.
1t is maintained by some that they do this;
that the wages OF telegraph operators are as
high ms are those of men and women in other
professions of equal skill. 1t would seem.
from some of the statements made by friends
of the strike, that majority OF
the strikers have been making as good
living as do compostors on newspapers and