Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-08-09
Cuttino the Wires.

The new phase of the strike-the cutting
of the wires-promises TO do the telegraph
companies far more damage than the ac-
ton of the operators and linemen in aban-
doning their posts of duty in body. If
the wires are cut the business of the CON-
NAMES must come to a standstill, however
well the companies may be supplied with
operators. OF course the Brotherhood OF
Telegraphers deny that they have any
hand in the nefarIOus work. To ADMIT
thew had. even if they were guilty, would
Al once deprive them Of all puOllc
svmnatbv. We are inclined to
think that the Brotherhood have
neither directed nor encouraged
the cutting Of wires. In fact, we are not
preDared 10 believe that they know who
The entity parties are. We are entirely
satisfied. however and we think the pub
lie are satisfied. that the wires were cut
bv strikers. The Brotherhood no doubt
originally intended, and, as far as the
public knows. intend now, TO make their
fight within the law. There are men IN
the Brotherhood. however, who cannot be
controlled. They do not ask for orders or
advice. They act for themselves. Inc
Brotherhood Will. nevertheless. be held re-
sponsible fortheir acts. Tie Brotherhood
NAV denv that their men are engaged IN
committing Iawless deeds, and protest that
the charge that they are is unjust, but
they will only succeed in convincing the
hubble that they are unacquainted with
the true state Of affairs. Who, except
strikers. would cut the wires: The story
that the companies had the wires cut to
create the impression that the strikers are
"A Iawless lot. and thus draw public sympa-
away from them. is not worth moments
consideration. 1t is folly to suppose that
the companies would dare to undertake
to deceive the public at this time, when
the discovery of the deception would be
sure to be followed by marked manifesto
lions Of popular Indignation. 1t is
doubtful if the companies have in
their employ men who would con-
sent To do such dirty work, and if
they have experience would teach them
that they could not be trusted. From a
moral standpoint it would be less excusa-
ble for the companies to cut tie wires
than for the strikers to cut them. The
purpose in one case would be to secure
victory through deceit, and in the other
simply to secure victory. The sooner the
Brotherhood seek out the guilty parties
and make them known, the better
it will be for their cause. The sympathy
of the public has been with them in
marked degree thus far, but it is certain
not to remain with them if these lawless
acts continue. There is no law TO pre-
vent men from combining to force con-
cessions. although it is questionable
/ if strikes can be successfully defended,
/ but such combinations must act with
a strict regard TO the rights of others.
[ When they disregard the law they be-
come the enemies of society, and are
treated as such. They neither have nor
4 deserve public sympathy. If the striking
! telegraphers ever had any chance of sue
I cess they may be certain they will destroy
/ it by resorting to violence. One lawless
/ act leads To another. The strikers have been
/ fighting the telegraph companies, but if
/ they continue destroying property they
I will have the forces of organized society
/ to fight rs well as the companies. The
/ best thing the Brotherhood can do is to
search out and restrain their erring
I HrorHars