The Indianapolis journal., 1886-04-12
JAY GoULD's FRIENDS.
How the knights Are Helping Him-The
Only Hope of Safety.

How the knights Are Helping Him-The
Only Hope of Safety.
Philadelphia Times.
Jay Goulds most efficient friends in his con-
test with labor are the enemy that in impas-
stoned hate proclaimed him S'the giant fend."
They don't mean it, but had jay Gould, in his
most subtle cunning, been authorized to control
the movements OF the Texas and Missouri
strikers, he could not have directed them more
to his own advantage or more TO their own dis
advantage. His friends, the enemy, will win
Goulds battle if it shall be won at all.
Had Jay Gould been consulted as to the best
method of paralyzing the rapid growth of the
Knights Of Labor under the wise and conserva-
tive leadership of General Master Workman
Powderly, what would he have advised. could
his direction be unseen by the worlda Can any
one doubt that he would have advised
l. That they Drecipitate strike. When there
is no complaint as to wages, payments or hours
of labor, on a railway that is in the hands of a
sworn officer of the United States Court. and for
other reason than that one Objectionable en-
ploye had been discharged without inquiry as to
his membership.
q That the strike against the officer of the
United States Courts in Texas should be ex-
tended to the Missouri Pacific, when t. Goald
direction has no more power over the Veurt re-
ceiver in charge Of the Texas Pacific than has
President Gowen over the receivers of Reading
g. That the strike should be precipitared on
both lines in open disregard of the laws of the
knights of Labor which warrant strikes only
when authorized by the supreme tribunal of the
order.
T. That the strike should be preeptated
without formal complaint and attempt at con-
ference or arbitration, in fragrant violation of
the solemn agreement with Gould in August
last, whereby he was bound to confer and arbi
trate any complaint, and the Knights of Labor
were bound to demand and exhaust conference
and arhltrA ti0u hnf0rn rpS0rtinO a strike
5. That when the strike was thus carelessly
precipitated, in violation of good faith and OF the
laws of the Knights of Labor. the strikers should
resort to violence and the destruction of proper
ty, ard prove to the world that they would dis
turb the whole commerce and trade of the coun-
try to crafty the hotspurs who obey neither
the laws of their order nor the laws of the land
g. That when the strike was thus inaugurated
without reason and prosecuted in violence, it
should be maintained against the clear public
sentiment and public interests of the whole coun-
try until Gould can replace the labor of the
striking Knights, and distract and disintegrate
them by the loss of labor they madly infict upon
themselves.
Had Jay Gould been empowered to direct the
action of the Knights of Labor in the West
and employed his best cunning to make their
action self-destruct.ve, he would have advised
just what the Texas and Missouri fellowship has
done. His friends. the enemy, have fought his bat
tie by evil connsss and violent action. to an extent
that Gouli with all his scores of millions, could
not have fought for himself; and unless there
shall be speedy and radical change in the di-
rection of the Western Knights of Labor or, UNI
less the wise and just aGmontions of General
Master Workman Powderly shall be promptly
accepted, Gould will win his battle simply be-
cause his friends, the enemy. are fighting it for
him.
There is now but one hope of safety to the
Western Knights of Labor, and probably to the
whole national organization: that is, to stop the
strike at once, Internationally. dismiss lawless
| members, 60 back to work, and then demand con-
ference and arbitration. Such action would at
once disarm Gould; it would take from him his
only defensive position in the contest; it would
assure the great business interests of the coun-
try of the safety of labor organizations and it
would recall the popular sympathy for organized
industry that it has lost by causeess disturbance
of business and by violence. Friends of labor,
look the truth In the face, and answer whether
there is any hope for it in a contest begun with
out reason. prosecuted in violence, and continued
in defiance of laber's own laws.