The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-06-03

two or three days after the disastrous
elimination in Chicago, we behold a
call for convention of delegates through
out the whole country, to meet on the
Goth instant, for revision and reform
of the principles and methods of the or
der.
An arbitration between parties only one
of whom can be compelled to perform the
award, would strike the ordinary citizen
as being rather one-sided affair, and as
the award of arbitrators has no more eff
cacy than the judgment of court, it Is
difficult to see what the Knights of Labor
could lose or anybody else gain by iudg-
ment against them. A judgment against
property can be enforced by an execution
and sale, but what process can compel
man to perform contract for his person
al services!
1t is very natural to conclude that the
Knights of Labor would favor arbitration,
but it is hardly to be supposed that their
employers would cry after it,"
Failing to get all they demanded by
arbitration, the strike can of course be
resorted to, and, in case employers should
prove obdurate, that industrial anesthetic,
the gentle boycott, could be applied.
Heretofore, in order to render these
mild remedies effectual, it has been neces-
sary to violate the following state laws,
but as it was done in behalf of the noble
knights" and "for the elevation of labor"
no friend of the laboring man, IL seems, is
allowed to complain, much less suggest
the vindication of the law, viz:
An unlawful assembly is the meeting of
three or more persons with intent to
aid each other by violence or in any other
manner, either to commit an offence or
illegally to deprive any person of any
right or to disturb him in the enjoyment
thereof.
C1If the purpose be to prevent any person
from pursuing any labor, occupation or
employment, or to irtimidate any person
from following his daily avocation, or to
interfere in any mannar with the labor
or employment of another, the punish
ment shall be by fine not exceeding 5000
If the persons unlawfully assembled to-
gether do or attempt to do any illegal ACT
all those engaged in such illegal act are
guilty of riot.
If any person by engaging IN riot
shall prevent any other person from pur
|
ment, or intimidate any other person
from following his daily avocation, or IN
terfere in any manner with the labor OF
employment of another he shall be pun
inished by confinement in the county Jai
not less than six months nor more thar
one year.
Hon. Judge Cook enumerates list o.
statutes broken by the knights of Labo
in this state, as we'll as the ostensible OBJ
iects of this order and concludes:
"These are some of the ends proposed
to be accomplished through the method
1 have recounted by the noble order o
Knights of Labor, whose very name is a
insult and whose existence is a menace t
democratic government in America.
AS citizen of Texes, have used tn
liberty that is mine in speaking of tn
Knights of labor. have spoken in al
ger, and have set down naught in malice
; have no apologies to offer and no n
fractions to make.
3 believe l have done the state some Sc
f vice by calling public attention to the dal
f ger which threatens us.
!, l feel able to bear the venomous assault
g that have been heaped upon me for da
@ ing 10 eAerclse Uho iiS hU anu P0fAo "
n duty of good citizen.
Y have spoken what believe to be fl
b the good of the Knights of Labor, al
g what know to be for the good of 81
state, and do not propose to be drive
: from my purpose by threats of pc
: sonal harm or intimidated by lying sla
ders.
Whenever the character of the assailal
and manner of assault make it appel
4 necessary will try and be ready promp
ly to defend the one or vindicate Il
other.
: GUsTAvE Cook.