Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-09-05

we get new republican governor and legis-
lature she will be given a still better position
as to the debt
Industrial Conflicts and Public opinion.
The great railway organizations and manu-
featuring companies of the country are being
brought to realize the act that they must rec
ognlze the rights and proper privileges of the
men who work for them. In conflicts be-
tween these corporations and their workmen
it is not always true that they are right and
that the workmen are wrong, and the public
is not at all prepared at any time to accept at
once, without investigation, a decision in their
favor. Capital may be right and labor may
be wrong. Both are human, and, therefore,
liable to err, and the public, which is the
great jury by which all questions arising in
conflicts Of this sort are at least to be consid-
cred, has very much to do with the decision.
And it is not piece of impertiuence tor the
public to assume to sit in Judgment in cases
| OF this kind for the public has vital interest
in qusrrels and fights between these great
| corporations and each other, or between them
and their employees, or in any troubles
which affect the trade and busi-
ness of the community and the
country. 1t is TO the interest and welfare Of
the public that there should be peaceful and
a fair settlement of all difficulties arising in
the great and little commercial and industrial
interests and affairs OF the country
The public cannot afford to have injustice
done to workiugmen, whose troubles appeal
readily to the humane sympathies OF the peo-
pie, as they are to large extent persons OF small
means, engaged in a hsnd-,o-hand conflict
| with the wolf at the door. Neither can the
public afford to see wrong done 10 employers,
especially at time when they are running
great risks and incnrriug pecunary loss in
keeping their machinery moving.
There is such thing as absolute right, and
when two parties differ al effort should be
made by the parties and the public also to as
certain what ought to be done TO secure
equal and exact justice to both, and in
this country all conflicts should be settled
peacefully, by lawful meth ds; and it
is an encouraging sign OF the times
that, with all the conflicts between
corporations and their workmeu, this year
| and there have been great number-there
has been no public tumuit and no shedding
Of blood. 10 many Of these conflicts there
has been mutual concession and the parties
have come on to common ground This is as
it should be. Both ,pital and labor have
suffered from the pressure OF the times, to an
extent almost unprecedented, and being
mutual sufferers, in all cases where the parties
were honest and really meant to do the right
thing, it was possible to reach a policy Of
Cancellation and cooperation. Fortunately,
we have had no trouble herein Springfield
indeed, never have had any Of any real
magnitude, for while our industrial interests
are in the hands of men who are like other
peorle-neither great saints nor great sinners
it is true that, as a class, they are men who
have much regard to the rights of their en-
ployes and of the general public. And we
do not believe that there is in any city of
| the union more intelligent and worthy
class OF workingmen than are to
be found in this city. They are
really the dominant class they are industri.
Gus and Public-spirited. As class they have
made good use OF what opportunities they
have had they have economized and acquired
property they have educated their children
and improved their own mental powers; and
they have taken part in the discussion and de-
cision OF public questions and have been
honored with high public positions. They
are not, all of them, always right, out they
are quite abreast, II not far shead, of average
people, Of any class or country. Really. we
may properly say, that in the condition and
conduct and bearing OF our Springfield work.
ingmen may be found material to be used for
the solution of some Of the most important
Of the problems OF the period problems in
volved In the management OF our industries,
and affecting largely and even vitality public
interests; problems which must be settled
peaceably, and which, il settled peacefully
and permanently, must be settled
according to principle, OF justice and right.
And it is significant fact that, in various
portions of the country the verdict Of public
sentiment, given in behalf of either one or
the other conflicting parties, has been accept
cd ~ either a basis or factor in the nepo,is-
tions. This Is as it should be. As We he. |
come more intelligent and virtuous as peo- !
pie, we are getting into the habits of con-
sidering questions that arise on their actual
merits and Of deciding them according to the
dictates Of reason and right.