The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-09-23
WHAT WILL BE THE oUTcoMEp

The second official examination into the
butchery at Rock Springs is now in pro-
gress. The first was conducted by Mr.
Isaac H. Bromley, President Adams
assistant, and looked into the causes lead
ing to the troubles in q general sort OF a
way, while at the same time it tended IN
the main to a settlement of the compllca
tions, with a view of beginning operations az
speedily us possible at these very import
ant mines. DEMONSTRATION now beingmadt
is by three of the Government Directors
who are much more searching in their in
quiry, and are looking solely into the
causes leading to the outbreak and measur
ing the provocation that was given. They
do not seem to care about the future
from the standpoint OF the miners, ant
rather evade the subject when broached
This is significant. In the meantime thu
works are under the control OF the Uniteo
States troops.
A strong effort has been made to faster
the responsibility for the outbreak and Its
consequent scenes and brutalities, arson ano
murder upon the Knights OF Labor, but
without success. That organization has
been in no wise interested or identified with
the troubles at the mines, though 1t has
long ~sympathized with the unhappy miners
many oil whom are members of the organi'
zation. It has been very broadly hlnted'
however, and probably in some cases as
serted, that, in the event that the company
should discharge all the white miners. and
put to work only Mongolians at Rock
Springs, or should discriminate against
members OF the Knights OF Labor, that
order would take up the cause OF thelr
brethren and "go OUT over the entire sys'
tenn. Mr.. Bromley, when questioned as TO
what the company should do in the event
of such a strike, evaded the question by
saying that he was not authorized to speak
for the company. AS such a lookout would
par;lyze the business OF the road every
where, it was desired to obtain some idea
from him as to the policy the management
would be likely to adopt in the event OF a
general strike. Being pushed for an answer
he said: II am not authorized to speak Tor
MI. Adams; l do not know what he would
do in that event. l know what l should do;
1 would turn the railroad over to the
United States, as the persons most largely
interested in it, and permit them to operate
it,"
There is but little question that Mi.
Bromley in this speaks by the card. He
undoubtedly simply reflects the purpose OF
MI. Adams. This explains the retlcence OF
the Government Directors now at Rock
Springs and their disregard for the desires
of the miners, and may explain their very
presence at the mines. The management
undoubtedly expects the worst and has
fully prepared forit. This is shown by their
demand upon the Government for greater
protection.
No organization, however powerful, can
afford to fight the Government. The
Knights of Labor have had at least two
experiences in this direction, the last and
the most costly being that Of the strike on
the Denver e. Rio Grande Railway. This
road was in the hands of a receiver, who
had been appointed by a United States
District Judge. As soon as trouble was
threatened, the Receiver demanded protec-
ton from the court and the minute the
strike was ~inaugurated the United States
Marshals took possession OF the property.
This gave not only ample protection to the
receiver, but crippled the strikers. Persons
found interfering with trains, with rnen will
ing to work or otherwise overly assisting
the strike in ways usually considered legiti-
mate were deemed guilty Of contempt OF
court, and were sent to jail, where they
had to remain as there is no appeal from
such an order. There was an abundance
of men to take the place OF the strikers and
to in+i."ia~t- ar"h men was a crime,
punishable with prompt and prolonged I'M
prisonment. Under such a condition OF
affairs the strike had to end, as it did
disastrously. both to those engaged IN 1t
and to the order. The advantages OF hav'
ing the Government run a railroad at such
a time were so great and SO apparent thai
Receiver Jackson's plan has commended
itself to managers all over the country.
The Union Pacific is a Government road
and within an hour it could be turned over
to the United States Courts on a dozen pre-
texts. This is a matter that labor organi
cations will be compelled to weigh and to
weigh well before determining to enter upon
d general strike.
Organized as the Knights OF Labor nov
are upon the lines OF the Union Pacific anf
flushed with the victory OF a year ago ant
buoyed by that prestige, they would maxi
a great fight should they determine upon
general strike. On the other hand, 1T l
certain that upon the part Of the compan.
such a fight would also be Ito the death,
as the officials have never been reconcilct
to the result OF last years shop men
| strike, and would be only too anxious t.
| defeat the Knights all along the line and t.
bring about the Reorganization OF IN
| order. Such a contest would be an inter
esting one, but would it be wise to ente
upon it lightly.
What will the outcome be?