The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-08-26


because they dared to protest against his
rule and strike for their rights, is a crime
of such enormIty as will associate the
name of Webb forever with those, who,
dressed in little brief authority, have
used their money TO secure power and
degrade their fellow men.
Fifth-That the Efforts now being put
forth hy Webb To destroy the Knights of
Labor would, were circumstances changed
in a like manner, be made TO destroy the
organizations OF the engineers, ilremen,
conductors and switchmen. IL successful
II is only n question Of time when a
similar effort will he made 10 seal the
fate of all other labor organizations.
Sixth-Webb, 10y the course he pursued
toward the Knights of Labor and repre-
sentatives of labor organizations, has
shown total disregard of these prin-
ciples OF citizen sovereignty desired by
every American worthy of the name, and
considering only his money power and
corporate power, the company he repre-
sents, his acts, which speak louder than
words, say, in the language of w. II. Van
derbilt, once the autocrat of New York,
"The public be id"
Seyenth-Wcbb seeks 10 support this
arrogant attitude towards the working
men and labor organizations by assuming
that the New York Central
Hudson River railroad is private
property and that his acts in
the treatment of his employees is in no
sense a matter of public concern. that he
can, with impunity discharge the men
and remand them 10 idleness and poverty,
and render them homeless wanderers with
out giving any reason or explanation
whatever for his conduct, disregarding
the fact that the corporation for which he
plays the autocrat is thing created by
laws, the making of which he seeks to
degrade, have "A voice which, once united,
will bring his corporation to the bar of
justice where his millions, and the other
millions he represents will cease to be
potential in deciding questions of this
kind.
In the view Of the foregoing facts the
supreme council puts upon record its
unanimous and unqualified approval Of
the strike on the New York Central *
Hudson River railway for the causes set
forth by Powderly, and also the efforts
made by Powderly To bring the strike to
an honorable termination. In this gen
eral expression Of approval of the action
Of the Knights of Labor, the course of
Webb is as unequivocally condemned.
The power of the supreme council has,
in a manner, been cNeried 10 aid the
knights OF Labor through their represent
tatlves To secure recognition oil Their order
by the officials OF rich and powerful
corporation, to secure Tor their working
men, the victims OF autocratlc power,
hearing, ana 10 perform such other
kindly ollices AS were proper under the
circumstances demonstrating sympathy
and good will, thereby aiding the knights
OF Labor TO bring the strike To a close,
upon the principles OF right and justice.
In this the council met with failure Owing
TO the autocratlc attitude OF Webb.
Ii now becomes necessary FOR the SUI
prcme council Ia say that owing 10 the
fact that the knights OF Labor Is not a
member OF the federated orders OF rail-
way employees, the laws OF the supreme
council do not permit ITS doing more than
II has done To aid the knights oi Labor
and ITS Inability to participate otherwise
III the strike is now known and appreci-
ated by Powderly.
Referring 10 The law OF the supreme
councll relating 10 strikes ihe matter Is
concisely presented AS follows: In the
first place II the members OF either organ
lzatIon or any railroad nave grievance
II Is submitted TO me proper officers oi the
| rOlt tDN tie local HrltkHlltb rOIlInlttpe, III