New-York tribune., 1886-06-08
LESSONS or THE STRIKES
Congress-.

The car strike is over its consequences are
not The workmen have sustained one of those
defeats which are fruitful blessings. IL Is
doubtful whether anything else that could have
been done for them by Government, Natlonai'
State or City, by labor organizations or by the
public, would be of so much real benefit to them
as the lessons they bayo learned regarding the
folly of surrendering their personal freedom 10
a so-caed union. The unwOrthiness and IN
caDacity of the organization have now been so
demonstrated that every worker in the city un-
derstands it. They know now that 1t Is cap
able Of ordering an unjust and foolish strike,
like that on the Third Avenue line, without
sober thought of the prospects that it has twice
ordered the stoppage of al. lines in tho CITY,
with no other reason than the crazy notion that
an act so outrageous would help the unjust
strike ON the Third Avenue; that both these
ottempts have failed, and that the men who
have taken rart in them have exposed them
selves to punishment as law breakers. All this
has happened because the men unwisely con-
sented to surrender their freedom to a secret
committee.
There are three parties in this business: inc
members, the great body of unorgahized work
ers in New York and the public. For each the
peculiar series OF strikes has lesson worm
! learning. For the members. the lesson VIII DC
exceedingly valuable if they take pains to mas
fer il. There are unions in which man
gives I'D his freedom, but only to majority 01
| his associates and rot to a secret colnmIttee
These unions are apt to be ruled by the more
violent and reckless men. Men without faml-
lies. or who care nothing for the families they
have. are apt TO WELD more influence than the
men who have proper regard for the dntIes
they owe To others. The drinkers are apt to
rule instead of the sober workers The SELF
seekers have enormous advantages, even in
these unions, over the thrifty and industrious
men who try to do their duty to wife and
I children. But in such unions there Is at least
this safeguard-that a man cannot be turned
ont of work and livelihood ut the orders of any
committee, without any notice, or any reason,
or any chance to speak for himself. The EN-
pire Pro cctve Association, events prove, Is a
different body The workers of this city and
Rrooklvn had not the least idea of the intended
tic-up" on Saturday, until they received
their orders 4 little secret committee had the
mower TO take from every member of the organ
ization his work his means of livelihood, his
hone of supporting his family. The members
of such an organization owe it to themselves
and to all dependent on them to change its
character, or 10 leave it at once. Their hIst
duty is to be free men, and not slaves.
The unorganized workers of this city vastly
outnumber all the members OF trades unions.
They have seen in these strikes the purpose OF
the secret leagues to deprive them. the unor-
ganized, of opportunity to get employment
| The most sacred right of the worker is his free
dom to work where and when he will. These
who do not choose to surrender that right Justly
claim the protection of the law, when an at
tempt is made to rob them of it. The authori-
ties. whose duty it is to punish every violation
Of law, and the unoTganized workers, whom
strikers seek to rob of their freedom, are bound
TO act together for common end.
The public has duty to perform. If the
officials of tho city are prompt to prosecute,
indct and punish the consplrators who have
caused these strikes, the public Will only need
TO watch and resolutely uphold the officials.
But if there is any hesitation, the public will
have to express its will with such emphasis that
no Official shall venture to disregard it, If the
law proves inadequate, the public will have TO
insist upon reform of law, and meanwhile to
make its will 50 respected that there shall be no
more attempted tyranny over free workers in
this city. The conspiracy to stop the cars on
Saturday was utterly without excuse or reason.
Sane and sober workers would have known
that it could only do harm to the cause of labor.
| But the folly of the men who did this thing
does not make their act any the less criminal.