The Wilmingtonian., 1886-04-17
Strikers and the Army.

action which showed 10 yeas to 81 nays upon
the vote
In presence of the report that the Presi-
dent has summoned MIR. Powderly to con
ference in Washington the army bill looms
up again in significant Importance.
In discussion upon this bill in the Senate
Mr.. Hawley Of Connecticut favored army in
tervention as police force The Senator
however diScaimed when stating that when
"the military arm is powerless, bad clements
wonld at once come TO the front, riot, theft,
arson and murder would break loose" he
bad reference to the great mass of the people,
wherever found or however organized
whether Knights of Labor or anything else.
Mr. Teller (republican) of Colorado con
demned the using of the army as IL police
force. He said ''When State Govern
ments come to depend upon the regular army
of the nation to enfo ce State laws our re-
publican government would be at an end.
Mr.. Hawley said there was no man IN the
Senate or elsewhere who would IN )re rgidly
than he hold tine army, either State or fedel-
al, to its duty as the mere tool and instru-
ment Of civil power. He had from time to
time thought that it would be mcrciful and
would be good foi the people who were sui
feling to employ them as Mr.. Powderly, with
the Knights Of Labor, would employ them,
in accordance with he constitution of the
Knights Of Labor in pntting down some
thieves and scoundrels that were blaspheming
the name of labor Mr. Hawiey considered
Mr.. Powdarly man of more conservatism
and standing in this country then some men
on the floor of The Senate.
Mr.. Van Wyck, (republcan) of Neb., re-
ferling to Mr.. iIawleys remarks about the
Knights Of Labor, asked if they had petit
toned for an increase of the army. The
secret Of this whole matter was to bo found
in the idea of using the army again as great
police power as it had been used as a police
power TO keep the Slave in slavery. Jay
Gould aud his contederates aud Vanderbilt
and his coniederatcs had been allowed to
steal millions, just as men under the old
Interpretation Of the constitution had been
allowed to steal from the black man his
birthright. lyon have raised" said Mr..
Van Wyck, "another class OF shareholders
just as uureleutiug and determined and steel
ed against the instincts Of humanity as the
old Shareholders werc and think little
more So" The Knights Of Labor, he contin
ued, had no sympathy with the commune.
The ''strikprn" oC labor Mr. Van Wyck re-
gardcd is like the strike Of Anthony Burns
when he struck for liberty
Mr. ITawley. replying 10 Mr.. Van Wyck,
said it was seldom that the Senator from
Nebraska missed an opportunity to make
mischief (Laughter) That Senator
might always be trusted to appear at the
precisely wrong time. The strikers were
American citizens and voters. They com
pretended whatever the people of this count
ry willed that should become the law. The
ballot box was open to them; they bad a
choice of candidates the forum, the press
and all other methods Of agitation known to
the constitution we've open to them. If their
cause be just one they can compel respect
for it. He believed that the existing condi-
tion of affairs throughout the civilized world
was to result in an enormous advance to the
great mass of laboling men. Fur himself,
he would not work sixteen hours day for
any man, wi Ii half an hour for dinuer. He
would strike. He would organize.
Mr.. Van Wyck was rejoiced to hear the
Senator from Connecticut so much interested
in labor He was rrjo ced TO hear that that Sen.
ator would strike ifhe were asked to work six.
teen hours day. Mr.. YanWyck had some day
| spoken of three corporations in Washington
that owned and controlled Congress, Sena.
tors knew that for years these corporations
had been more powerful than any slayehold-
| er hau ever been, They had required six
teen hours daily labor from their men. Day
after day, week after week and month aftel
month the men had never seen their wives
or children iu daylight. In Heavens name
where was the federal army tlen? Tie
street car companies Of Washington had
worked little orphan boys sixteen hours 1
day. But Senators had found no remedy.
Mr.. Logan, (republicau.) Of Illinois, said
the implication that there was something be
hind this bill at this time was very remaIka
Bile. 1t was not true that Jay Gould hac
any connection, direct or indirect, with I'll,
measure.
Arbor Day
Arbur Day, Thursday last, has passed
| Yet there is no restrictions upon people from
continuing the practice Of tree planting a
long as the propitious season lasts