The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-22
TEE RIGHTS OF ALL.

The strikers on the New York surface roads
pursued the same tactics that characterized
the strike against the Texas Pacific and the
Missouri Pacific roads When the employees
of the former concluded to Ego out because
of the discharge of one of their number-and
that was the sole reason advanced at the out
set-they counted on making it effective by
calling out those employed on the Missouri
Pacific. The drivers on one of the New York
lines struck, for some reason or other, good or
bad, and, to make it elective and make it
felt they 'tcalled out" the conductors and
drivers on the other lines, though the latter
confessed they had no grievance The dema-
gogue, intent more on the immediate present
and his own interests, will approve this, and
say that it was justifable. But suppose the
corporations owning the lines should have acted
on the same principle, and when they do not
get what they want for one of their lines they
pie. How long would such an outrage be toll
Grated before the law would be brought to
bear upon them and compel them to resume
traficq These corporations that are popularity
supposed to own everything, including the
law, are so fearful of offending against the
law that they dare not fail to try to run cars,
even though it is apparent that it can be done
only at the greatest peril and without the pos
sibility of realizing cent They are obliged
to keep upthe appearance of doing their duty,
and must do it so far as possible or forfeit
their charters. The same respect for the law
should be required of the strikers. If they
have grievance against any road, let them
settle it with that road, and not carry their
tyranny to others and to the inconvenience of
thepublic. Because one corporation does not do
its duty towards its employees is no treason why
the business of another should be destroyed
until such time as the pleasure of the organ
lied strikers shall be satisfied. And because
one set Of men conclude to stop working for
certain corporation is no reason why these
men who decide to quit should take upon
themselves to say that no other men shall
take up what they voluntarily abandoned.
The old-fashioned doctrine of equal rights is
not yet obsolete, and will not be until ma
jority of the people decide that certain privi-
leges shall be given to certain organizations
that shall not be enjoyed by anybody else 1t
is something new that any organization should
the law, and this demand has not yet been
conceded. 1t may be that the Masons, or
the Odd-fellows or those who belong to some
certain church, will ask the same favor, and it
were we'll to wait until all applications are in,
SO that this valuable franchise may be farmed
out to the highest bidder. If the laws of the
people are to be sold as so much rubbish, it is
but fair that the people should be given the
poor privilege of selling where they will real
ize the most. 1t is barely possible that some
body, or several somebodies, from some other
country may want to run this American gov
eminent according to these new and improved
ideas. But until the sale is made and for
mslly confirmed, it should be reserved that the
old way of conducting affairs should obtain.
The impression has obtained that the Amer
lean people were essentially one, and that one
law, impartially enforced, was the wisest thing
that could be devised for its government. No
amount of fattering talk by demagogues and
schemers will ever change it.