Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-03-26
THE LABOR PROBLEM.

What Leadiag Journals are Saying of the
Great STRIKE and Kindred Topics.
We have steadfsstly urged the claims Of
the Knights Of Labor to recognition as q
lawful and potent factor in the economy q
our civilization. We feel that that recogGi'
ton will be gained by them as certainly a.
there is future for this nation. But We
believe that every time they 60 outside oil
the legitimate methods which their organ
ization prescribes, they defer the day Of
triumph.-St. Louis Republican.
1t is the right Of men to cease to work.
But they have 10 right to interfere with
others who want 10 work. Tney have 10
right to do anything else than to refuse to
work themselves, and th1s If that will do 1t,
prevent the railroad managers operating
their roads without them. This 10 as far
a. they have q right to 60. Beyond that
point public opinion, without which there
can be no permanent success tor labor ID
its ATTEMPTS to better itself, will not sup
uort them. In tie West and Southwest
the Knights of Labor hsse gope too far
and endangered their cause everywhere
PiJtsburg Times.
Vice President Hoxie had distinctly
said, in bis first published statement that
the company EsS always been willing and
was willing to confer viii he men, or with
suy organization authorized 20 represent
them, in regard to any diGers nee, bnt that
The Missouri Pacific had no power over the
matter now presented az . ground OF com
nlaint Thus the claim that the continued
striks on the Missouri Pacific ID justified
by q refusal to recaRnizs the knights Of
! Labor is plainly without tOundshon'-Ne"
YorS Tribune.
There ia grave danger that the minds Of
some of the labor leaders are getting con-
fused as to their Just claims in dispute Of
this kind. While they have an undoubted
right to strike for higher wages or shorter
hours, the attempt to use the whole power
of any labor organization to MAINTAIN all
its members in place without regard to
their efficiency is unteuable and, unies'
abandoned, will lead to the disintegratior
Of the organization. Employers must re
tain the right to decide the number snd
sind Of employees they want and must have
the right to hire and discharge. l. any
of the labor leaders were to change places
and become employers themselves they
would soon demand this right or ind ou'
that they could not remain employers a
sn.-Philadelphis Times.
As public opinion sustained the Govern
ors year ago in their endorsement OF thu
position Of the strikers, so public opinion
now sustains them in holding the striker
to be wrong. The basis Of settlement cal
not be gratifying to the strikers. But tn
sooner they frankly admit that they bsv'
committed an egregious biunder, the bet
ter It will be for them in future when the!
NAV have real grievances to bs remedied
Mr.. Martin Irons, in ordering this strike
showed himself an unfit man to hold dc
tstorial position in the Knights of Labo
! ORGANIZATION. he has injured the reru
ton of the order, and made most disas
trous use of the little brief authority wit
which be is clothed. There is now not to
shadow of 3 chance for the strikers to 81
cure sny better term than Mr.. Hoxie offers
and the difficulty may be regarded pract
cally at en- end.-Minnespohs Tribune.
Itisno use discussing the fact that "
are approaching q crisis. There is storr
brewing the torcs Of with no one can te.
The innocent are to suffer along with tn
guilty. Business interests of every chsl
sc,sr are to be paralyzed. 1t is gloom
outlook, but we had Just as well face II an
prepare for it. Unless an amicable q
rappement can be made between VIC
President Hoxie and the strikers on tt
Gould system there will be q gener'
strike ordered, and the next day there vi
not be a freight train running within II
borders of the United States. l. Is not
very encouraging prospect, nevertheless
il the situation IS il exists.-St. Ps'
Globe.
The breaking up of freight trains, Xii
ing" of engines, destruction o: propert
ard endsngeriDg the lives Of Pescsab
and ORDERLY workmen are crimes for Wbit
the knights of Labor are responslol
They NAV say that thsse things are \
dome by their orders That is not q
point. They did not prevent them.
they demand to be consulted and reec
nized a. the representatives Of the strike
they must make themselves responsible
the strikers. Ifthsy confess that they ca
not control the strikers they plainly G
make no terms binding On them; 1t th
q are fighting for recognition they MI
! ! proye that they can safely be Recognized.
New York Times.
= The way is still opss !or argument, CO
promise or arbitration, provided Mr. boz
r sbaudons his false position, but it ne ma
tAius il he appeals to force tor the ass
ton of his own view. The contest M
p and perhaps viii be. Q renewed struggle
: sIeut endurance; but hunger 10 q fac
. in the problem, and hunger produces
as Ience quite as readily as it does subu
ss Eion. Mr. Hoxis has already shown q
Z he has no regard for public convenien
T. Il he equally indifferent to the pat
- nsace2 BE alone viii be RESPONSIBLE
, snV untouard result OF his villtulness
y foiiy.-New York Star.
Thsre can be no two opAaisus shout
S;tcb;n0 Of the train near Ssdalis. IL
!, a Sr;ms both cruel and wantou. and
man vho has anJ ssnsibiliiy or self resI
viii attempt to Justify or psllste It.
in So a Atchiaon vas only less heins