Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-07-27
IKE TELEGRAPH STRIKE.

The telegraph strike lie the prominent sub
1eci IN all the principal Newspapers We re-
ceive to-day. Everysas4e tbere is testimony
rs TO the excellent conduct OF the striker.
and public sympathy is on that side, and
will evidently remsin so as long as good
sense and good order continue among them.
The New York Herald re marks that the pub
lie takes notice that "a huge corporation,
which has gone on wstering it's stock for
years, cuts do~n the pay of its operatives in
proportion as it increases The water in is
stock, and when they complain turns a scorn-
full cold shoulder TO their declaration of griev-
ances, and staDds upon its dignity. . y =
The great capitalists who employ labor 10
this country have their organizations also,
and by united efforts stop production in order
to raise prices TO consumers, and employ
lobby agents at Washington TO secure legis-
lstion luxurious to the great mass of the PEG
pie for their own joint benefit. The
real question now is not between the
public and the strikers, but between the pub.
lie and the corporation. l. she company
performing that service for the public
which by law i! is bound to do, and to do
continuously and effectively? If it is not, if
for any reason it refuses or fails 10 do this,
then it is viol ,iing the law of its being; it is
liable in damages to snyons who chooses to
bring suit; il may even forfeit its charter"
This point is an important one in favor Of
the strikers. Where there are privileges
conferred, corresponding servicss are ex acted,
and the privilege Of otstrueting the streets
with posss and wires is an important one.
In his decision upon the ireight-ha ndiers'
strike, the following language of the Su-
preme Conri judge shows exactly the legal
position occupied by the Ieiegrsphic
companies 10 their present dispute,
and in accordance with that language The
Memphis Cotton Exchange insists upon the
telegraph company fulfilling its contract
with them: "a body Of laborers acting in
concert fixed a price for theih labor and re-
fused 10 work for a less price. The COM
panies fixed a price for The same labor and
refused TO pay more. In doing this neither
did an set violative of any law or subjecting
either to any penalty. The companies had
. lawful right to take their ground in respect
to the price to be paid and adhere to it if
they chose; bnt if the consequences Of their
doing 30 we're an inability to exercise their
corporate franchises to lhe grest injury of
the public, they cannot be heard to assert |
that sucn consequences must De s~houldered |
and borne by an innocent public, who neither |
nor indirectly participated in their
causes" The New York World says that
In business circles and at the exchanges |
the interruption of telegrsphic business /
10 causing serious inconvenience and loss. 4
Loud complaints we're made at the Cotton |
and Produce Exchanges, and the Board of
Trade suggested the submission OF the differ |
ence between the companies and employees
to 8 board of arbitration composed of three
operators, three directors of the teIe graph
companies, and the presidents of the National
OF Trade, the Chicago Board of Trade
and the New York Beard of Trade and
transportation. II such a proposition is &C.
ceptsd BY the Western Union an agreement