Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-07-13
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I.soms 0Smnssnts Dtishe Press.
" rtirtm tho 'ypfmkstNR Republican,


debt to lot of rough men violence OF some
kind was almost matter of course, al last
there was actual hunger In the case, and then
the riotng seems ohave been directed wholly
against the concern involved. At frst sight 1t
seems ridiculous to send half a regiment OF
soldiers to make some arrests which score
of city policemen would have accomplished
alone, but the policemen were not at hand, and
the strong force prevented possible bloodshed
by making resistance plainly impossibl or
course the women and children will I cared
for, aud it Is to he hoped that the Oining
company may be compelled to pay every cent
of the debt. The rings on L. Dude Ely-God-
dards fingers would amount 10 something
handsome II sold---and it Is worth while TO
remark that il he had been differently con-
stituted, or II Smith Ely had attended to
in idiocy, tho trouble would probably have
been avoided.
tFtom the Worcester Spyl
The Vermont militia did their duty
promptly md well. The rioters case was
hard, and il was right that much forbcar-
ance should be shown them. The mining
company's business had been disgraccfully
INSTANTANEOUS, luIOupu lhbCClnty VI luSA-
cusable neglect, so that there was no money
to pay the miners, and they had been unpaid
so long that they were actually suffering for
want of food. 1t is not strange that under
these conditions they were exasperated be-
You'd endurance, and tried 10 compel the
company to do them justice by threatening
the destruction of its property. Its actual
destruction as means of revenge for the
cruel injustice they had suffered, would
probably have been accomplished but for the
opportune arrival of the militia and the ar
rest Of the ringeaders. The public can SYM
pathize with the rioters in their anger, and
has no regret for any loss which the COM
pahy has sustained. But even men with n
just grievance can not be permitted to take
the law into their own hands.
From the New York Tribunc.I
Improperly considered the interference Of
the State militia in the trouble between the
miners and their employers at Ely, VT, was
really in the interests OF the rioters them
selves. Not only were they happily prevent
ed from committing acts Of violence aud
blpodshcd, but their chances Of getting their
back pay were greatly improved. The ring
leaders who are under arrest will probably
get of with light punishment, for there is
much proper sympathy with the miners. But
in spite of these facts the action OF Governor
Bars,ow was vigorously denounced Yesterday
by the delegates to the Central Labor Union.
Hanging is what they think the Governor
and the militiamen deserve. II these men
would only reflect a little they would quick
ly see that if the State had not iuteriercd
il Is entirely likely that hanging would
have been the fate of some OF the angry mi
ners
From the New York Times.l
- By criminal mismanagement a
considerable sum due the workmen was
allowed to fall in arrears of wages. 1t is
highly improbable that the laborers could
lend the company this large amount OF
money, and when bankruptcy or suspension
seemed imminent the men rose in mutiny
and seized property which, as they argue, is
the product OF their unrequitcd labor. VI
course, as TO methods the men are wrong
They can not pay themselves in this law1es:
fashion. But the company, mismanagcd
and deeply involved, is responsible for a rlo'
which, to the laborers, seems the most prac
,icable protest against neglect and oppres
sion. II the company has been guilty o.
swindling its laboiers its outrage is not only
on these, but on the whole community, fo
il has compelled the State to use in the inter
est of crime powers that arc meant for tn,
protection of law and order and honesty.
from the Albany Evening Journal
Labor troubles are seldom met al the out
set and quclled with the rure tact and Wig
orous action displayed by Governor Barstov
| in the recent riots in Vermont. The unfor
tunate miners, who had been robbed of ,hei
bread for weeks by the dishonest course o
their employers and were reduced almost t.
starvation, as the last resort rose agains
the company. Justifiablc as this course ma
have been in vic W of the extreme cmcrgcn
cics of the men it threatened the good ordc
of the vicinity, which the local polio
were inadequate to preserve. A less jus
and deliberate officer might have hastcnc
to this scene with force of militia and pre-
ci plated conflict between the miners an
the troops. Governor Barstow started &
once for the scene of the disturbance with
regiment but sent in advance pcrcmptor
order to the company to pay their cmployc
the wages due them. Instead of being Inc
as enemies, the Governor and the troop
found themselves hailed as deliverers on the
arrival. The leaders of the riot voluntaril
surrendered, and the families of the mincl
sought the charity of the militia, which wa
cheeriuly extended. 1t is. true that man
labor disturbances do not arise from sue
proper causes us did this one in Vermont, bl
it is also true that the most expeditions III,
thod of quclling them is to ascertain the or
gin of the difficulty and remove it, IL possib
before force is opposed to force.
From the New York Times oil tuesday,
1t is reported that there is entire quiet no
among the Ely. (Vt.) miners and that 1
| further disturbance of the peace Ia to be a
ticipated. Gov. Barstow has acted in III
matter in q way which has received and
served the praises of all parties In the Stat
, The preliminary steps which he is reported
have taken to secure at least partial satisla
ton of the laborers' claims were Just and me
ciful. There is pretty definite suspicion til
the reorganization of the mining company W
, made with intent to defraud. If the Cove
!, nor could secure thorough investigation
this charge, and II it can be established, I
h punishment Of the guilty, he would have
A new claim to the confidence and respect
his fellow citizens, and he would set an c
n ample which Governors might follow to &c
!. eral advantage.
+ from the Springfield Republican of Tuesday.
r. The Vermont troops went when order
J, out to prevent a riot at the Ely mines,
J. their sympathy and that of the State is pla
# ly with thcmen whose wages were not pa
-, This is new experience for V
i, mont. The State has had failures, rome
Va them disastrous, but workmen have me-
y before been kept out of their pay TO o
~ n amount by personal extravaganza and gr'
No mismanagement. However, If the affair r
aS the State Of Dude Z. Ely. Goddard it v
90 prove blessing in disguise.
~ from the New York Sun, Monday.l
III Gov Bars.ow of Vermont has taken
n. memorable step In his manner of deal
tic with ,ho m;r.ro, rovol, n, E,v nv vorshi