Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-03-26
GO SLOWLY.

The labor sitnstion IN The southwest Is
assuming position Of extreme gravity
The rejoinders between the oiscials OF the
Knights of Labor and those Of the GOULD
railroads indicate thSt the strike Is center
ing toward stubborn and relentless war
between the factions The Knights are
eoutendiDg for redress Of grievances snd q
recognition Of their body as an osgsniza-
ton, and the railroad officials seem deter
mined to recognise neither. There ere
mutteripgs on both sides that ut might as
well Be fought out now.
Three ways Of proceeding are presented;
A square back down Of one side or the
other; "6ghiugit Ous;;" or 8 compromise
But neither side wiz likely back down.
lighting it out Assns the dires'
consequences The sctioa in this
strike may prove 5 pivotal point
should the strike be extended over the
roads of the East and trade psralyzsd, the
movement that Is beginning to be agitatsd
among business men in different parts Of
the country would in oil probability OF
once matsriAlizs and powerful crganiza-
ton of capitalists, including railroad stock
holders, manufacturers, merchants and
business men in nearly al departments,
would be pitted against organized labor.
If IL were then left ss matter Of simple
endurance. and no not or bloodshsd were
attempted, the capitalists could hold out
the longer, IS few months suspension OF
their business would not exhaust thsir sup
plies; but the souree Of supply would be
shut Of from the labor organizations. But
should the matter proceed that far it
would not stop sc each side trying to
starve the other out
Great prudence and moderation Should
be used at this time. hot hssdsdness and
impssuOsi,y might turn the tide toward
revolution. Here is what the New York
Sun, . great friend Of organized labor, en-
joins:
We counsel moderation. When it Is q
question Of fair wages for fair days work
the sympathies OF every reasonable man
should incline to the sidsof the labor organ
izations II is best for al The interests Of
the country that labor should be equitably
compensated. Without Q Just and proper
reQuital Of labor there can be no enduring
stability OF busines and general prosperity.
But there ia danger that success may turn
the heads Of the Knights of Lab9r and ofthe
organizations they influence. While We up
hold and stand By their fundamental pur
pcse, We decyecate the exesssss into which
they may be led, and We warn them against
he injustice into which they may be be |
trsyed. IL cannot be allowed in this country |
that a man who employees labor shall not
himself select it and control il. free from |
dietation as TO the individual persons whom |
he shall employ. Such rnle would be |
intolersble in its operation and effect, and. |
while il might benefit few. IL would afford
70 the many ; license and occasion Of
abuse that would be fatal 10 al business
discipline. Nor can il be allowed that an
industrial organization Of q protective
character shall usurp the great powers OF
government. snd levy var on Gil Business
nnder the psetext Of attending to It's own
Therefore, we ssy the leaders Of labor
should beware lest they 20 too tar and de-
feat thsir own purposes. Let them rsgu |
late wages and hours and resist al oppges-
sion, bat the leaders even Of the most sac
red OF causes cannot be allowed 10 proceed
to the extremes Of tyranny and extortion
We want 10 see every man Who works
for bis living have his fair share Of the
profits Of his labor, and We deplore any &C
ton on the part Of the labor organic stions
to defeat that end. RsveDges and repris-
ais upon cauital are SURF in the end to be
quite a. Injurious and IS hurtfnl TO the
as iis worst and most system
atie exAclions and oppression have ever
been.
In this country law and order and liberty
must be maintained ct every cost
Compromise or arbitration is then the
method to turn he tide toward safety. The
sooner jar GoULD and bis associates get
over their bah headedncss and recognize
hat labor has e right to OrgAnizs and to
Se recognized ia organizations. lke better
1 WIN be for al concerned It wcald also
X vel for these persons 20 consider things
y they really are without spending the
inc auibblipg about the righs Of things
n, 49,, 4 nf,i nno -. h.-a.a