The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-23
A LESSON WITH A MORAL.

the condition of affairs is different from those
of that city. The chief cause assigned by
them for removing from South Bend is the
lack of security to them of their property
their lives and their political rights, and even
the privilege of the peaceable management of
their affairs without the interference of out
side parties who are in no wise interested in
their business
While, in this particular instance, should
they remove their establishment from South
Bend, the citizens and taxpayers of that COM
munity would suffer most, yet the question is
one which affects very seriously every citizen
of the State, and even of the whole coun-
try. A very brief statement of the case
is necessary to explain the condition of affairs.
The Messrs. Oliver have been engaged in the
manufacture of plows in South Bend for many
years. Their piows have world wide reputa-
ton, and are sold in almost every civilized
country on the globe. Their works are the
most extensive in the world for the manu-
facture of that single article They gave en-
ployment to from 500 to 1000 men, averaging
1000, which means the support Of 5000 peo-
pie. The wages Of the Oliver employees will
average So per day. The wages have never
been in arrears, but have been paid with
punctuality The works in South Bend cover
about forty acres Of ground, with more
than twelve acres under roof. In addition
the divers have contributed more to the
building up of the city than possibly any
other institution. They have built
blocks Of business houses, fine opera
house, a hotel and row after row
of residences that would be creditable to any
city. All the money necessary to do these
things has, of course, been expended right
there, giving employment to labor and pur-
chasers for produce and provisions and all the
articles required by the necessities of thrifty
population of several thousand people. In
every way the Messrs Oliver have demeaned
themselves as good citizens-as they are-and
benefactors in all good measures for the pub
lie welfare While they have political opin-
ions, and views as to what measures are for
their own and the public good, they have
i never Extensively paraded them, nor sought
improperly to influence their employees in
4 their votes or actions. Notwithstanding all
these benefits that they have conferred on
that city and all it's inhabitants, and on the
/ country round about it, few pot
house politicians, bummers, loafers, pub
fishers Of imaginary newspapers, and
committees composed of men who are too lazy
to work, but who get themselves appointed and
paid by labor organizations that are hood
winked by these vagabonds and idlers--these
men who stand on street corners, visit saloons
and all assembages of workmen-have circu-
lated the most incendiary stories, verbally and
in print. against these gentlemen, until they
created strike and a mob, destroying their
property and threatening their lives. The mob
committed violence stopping only short Of
murder and that murder did not ensue was
by luck, and not from lack of design. Be
cause of this mob spirit, proclaimed and
preached by these incendiary vagabonds,
aided By the outside help of Chicago Social
ists-men more fearless yet no worse at heart
the authorities of South Bend were, and are,
unable to protect the divers in their persons
and their property. Is it any wonder, then,
that they seek change of location9
This is one example, and is local to South
Bend, yet that city is no worse than some
others in Indiana, OF other States. There
is another city within seventy miles of In
dianapolis where almost similar conditions ex-
list. a large furniture manufacturing estab-
lishment has it in contem ,lation to remove or
close business for causes like III kind and only
less in degree. South Bend and the otherc CITY to
which reference is made have as good people,
and these, too, in the majority, as there are in
the world; but the hummer element is active
and malignant, and the good citizens pas
sive and indifferent, hence these troubles.
Every man in this country has equal rights
the rich and the poor the employer and the
employee, tho capitalist and the laborer. EaNh
has his right to live, his right to VOTE and the
right, within the law, to do that which he deems
to be his interest. Labor and capital are de-
pendent one on the other, and both equals be-
fore the law, entitled to equal respect, but with
| sympathy always toward labor and the laborer
/ Labor has the right to organize. Labor asso
Citations and trades-unions are right and proper
r No one can reasonably object to them. They
may prescribe the rules that shall govern
them and DO law to them. The right tc
, strike, the right to prescribe the regulations