The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1886-07-13
Lessons For Lawbreakers.
New YOrk Tribune.

Lessons For LawbreakerS.
New YorE Tribune.
The second of the toycOttin g mu
clans who demanded money as the
price OF disseminating their warfare
against a man. business has been con-
victed of extortion. Others plead
guilty, so that the law may be said to
be definitely settled t. this extent, that
it is punishable crime to ask or take
money under the pretence of "cover-
ing the expenses" of boycott. An
other conviction of a striker of the
Third Avenue line, for forcible inter-
ference with men who were willing to
do the work he had refused to do,
stands in line with similar verdicts in
Illinois, Missouri, Texas and other
States, so that it may be considered
settled that any use Of force or intimi-
datiOn to drive a voluntary worker
from his occupation, or TO prevent the
operation of railways, of factories or
other industrial establishments, is a
crime which can be punished. The
conviction Of the chief leaders of the
Knights of Labor for melting the riots
at Milwaukee is another step toward
rightful determination Of the lega
responsibilities of those who counsel a
strike or take the leadership of strikers.
These matters should be sOberly con-
sidered by several large bodies of
working men, who are at present en-
gagged in contest with employers.
The Lake Shore strikers at Chicago
have not refrained from violence or
bloOdshed, and have placed themselves
within reach of the law. Probably,
long after the strike is over, some of
them will be answering in the courts
10 indictments for crime, or serving i'm
prisons under sentences for their vio-
lat;ons of law, as strikers of the Mis-
sour Pacific and Texas Pacific lines
are now. These men forgot their du-
~ 10 society, in their zeal for secret
organization. They forgot that it
was crime to deprive other men of
their rights, or to interfere with the
property Of others, or to resort to vio-
lence, or To incite riot or blOolshed. !
and that 1t was no excuse whatever
that their object was to secure higher |
wages for a certain class of workers. |
1t is TO be hoped that these lessons
will not be disregarded by the rolling
mill workers who 60 on strike, about |
800 in number, in Philadelphia. |
1t is said that they are to be sustained |
by the Amalgamated Association of
Iron and Steel Workers, and the Ian
guage of the leaders is cool, consider
ate and well calculated to impress pub
lie opinion in their favor. If the men |
refrain from all acts of lawlessness |
or violence, do not threaten or NAL
treat any who may wish to take their
places, and conduct themselves as law
abiding citizens, they will 90 far to
convince the public and the EMPLOYERS
also that their claims are not born of
passionate unreason. but ought to be
and kindly considered.
Another large strike is threatened
by the window.glass workers. who ask
only continuance of the old wages,
it Is said, while the employers argue
that the condition of their business re-
quires reduction. Public opinion is
not unlikely to side with the workers
in this case, because, when the pres
ent rate of wages was proposed by the
there were many employers
who declared, as many declare now,
that they could not possibly afford to
run their establishments at such rates.
Yet they finally decided to do 80,
rather than to remain idle, and that
when business was much less active
and promising than it is now. The
usual summer suspension of work be-
gins to-day and gives both parties time
% consider the matter carefully, and
While the suspension may be longer
han usual if stocks have largely &C.
as is stated, it would seem ,
that the manufacturers will
gain conclude to pay the rates asked,
Is they did before.
The workers of this country are the
'eOple, and therefore sure of the SYM
'athy of the people when they seek to
improve their condition by lawful and
roper means. But when q few of
hem organize themselves, and make
var npon the far greater number who
re not organized, as in the Lake
'hOre case, they deserve no sympathy,
ut are hated by the great majority of
norganized laborers as the worst OF
and would-be tyrants.
f they resort 10 violence or threats,
hey are simply law breakers, and as