The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-05-19
THE LATEST IN STRIKES.
Radical ideas that Have Emanated Fran,
Philadelphia and Louisville


The progress of civilization is fun of
cheerful aspects None, however. are
more striking than the rapiditv with
which radical idea spreads amono fine
people Emerson said that every no
form began As a private opinion. The
gentleman, who first conceived the idea
of the strike probably did not foresee
the career OF the child of his brain. The
bootblacks of Louisville are anonc those
upon whom this noble THOUGHT has
recently dawned with overmas.erfng
force. They have decided that, although
cents has long been deemed sufficient
pecuniary compensation for shine
they can get 10 by combining. They
have therefore struck for one dime for y
shine, and have issued manifesto de-
claring that they viii black no man.
for a nickel. As unfortunately often
happens, these Knights of Labor have
not taken the trouble to see whether
they can get what they want without
striking. They never asked anyone to
give 10 cents. They have not shown
any good reason why they should have
10 cents. We believe that this great
strike win in the end fail The gentle
men of Louisville are abundantly able
to black their own boots. Those who
are unable probably have footmen or
other servants who do not belong to
the bootblacks organization. and who
will consent TO ofiiciate with 'sscabs" for
a consideration Of % cents a week extra
wages. The Louisville bootblacks
should have tried arbitration. They may
order a general tie-up, but as the shoes
of Louisville are probably accustomed
to that, the inhabitants regard the fut-
ure with equanimity.
Philadelphia, always ambitious to
outstrip the efiete cities Of the west, and
always foremost in the van of progress,
has outdone Louisville. a few days AGO
150 aged sailors in the naval ASYLUM in
that city struck against veal potpie.
They declared that 1t was bad. and, aft
er marching into the dining-han and
sitting down to dinner, they sm=ltan-
eoU>ly arose ami marched out again
dinnerless. They demand plum duff,
lob scouse. dandy funk. and salt horse;
bur they draw the line at veal potpie.
Lacking definite information. we can
not speak freely rs To The merits of the
momentous strike. We are not inform
ed a. to whether the ancient mariners
found fault with the crust of the pie or
the veal. The crast may have been of
the kind which is manufactured for |
trade purposes only. and inwhich the pub |
lie has unqucstionably lost confidence.
The veal may have been of that variety |
which is familiarity called bob" But |
whatever the merits of the strike NAV |
be, it opens up future whose roseate |
hue is wholly delightful to the mental |
vision.
Hereafter when a clearinghouse |
keeper insists upon giving her guests
every day for dinner roast beef over
done, they can strike Let them march |
into the dining hall, sit down, rise up |
again, and depart dinnerless. 1t is true |
that the boarders viii be hungry. But, |
then, what merit is tn ere in striker |
who viii not go hungry rather than sub
NIT to eating what he does not like? The |
may refuse to yield, and may |
for non-union boarders to take |
the places OF those out on strike; but the /
union men can then march in and |
smash the landlady'S plates and cups |
and saucers. They can also, if neces-
sary, smash the heads of the rat
boarders. They will probably be ar
happy in the thought that they have
been martyrs to a great cause, and have
the example set by illustrious
and street-car drivers
of the days of yore.
There is also Il chance for the paupers
of America to follow out this great idea
Charity gives the pauper bread. but he
tires OF it sometimes. Let him strike.
Let him loudly say. I'VE don't want
bread; we want pie. If the charitable
does not comply with the
demand, let him refuse TO take anything |
at all from it, and thus drive it out of
the business. We could make many
other suggestions to the oppressed and
downtrodden of this crushed and des-
pot-ridden country. but ii is unneces-
sary. Our only regret in connection
with this matter Is that Marcos Bozzaris
did not live to see the outcome of the |
divine idea to which he gave utterance
when he promulgated the doctrine,
Strike. for your affairs and your fires"
.Ne2r York Times