New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-23
THREATS AND DUTY.

The dispatches state that "A leader OF uhe
KNIGHTS of Labor has deliberately threatened
that his organization will turn the votes OF
az 600 miners in the State of Ohio against the
Republican ticket recently nominated unless the
Public Printer at Washington accedes TO the
demands Of the knights of Labor Whether
these demands are fair and just or not no cyl
dence whatever is submitted to the public All
that is known is that the whole business mas
been referred to- the proper officers OF the al
ministration. and by them the demands made
bv the Knights have thus far been refused
10 the pnblic this organization submits no evil
dence whatever, and thinks it enough 10 MAKE
its demand accompanied with threats.
The Administration cannot afford to make
any change in its policy or in the discipline OF
| IFS EMPLOYEES without satisfactory reasons gwen
merely because of threats OF political vengeance
n would demoralize the whole working force
% tho Government to yield in a single instance
" sucb ATTEMPTED intimidation. 1t would show
l,cl, of fidelity to the public Interests If the
| administration should sacrifice these interests
IN any degree for the sake of preventing the
hostility Of an organization to political candl-
dotas If sufficient reasons should be given for
accodino TO the demands made, and in particular
for reinstating the men who have been dls-
charged from the printing office, that would be
another matter. The Administration could not
then afford to refuse to do justice, merely be-
cause some outside individuals have indecenty
resorted to threats in order to influence us de-
cision. The only right way Is to do justice IN
tho matter and let the people take care OF the
results.
The President does not lack confidence IN ne
Justice and good sense OF the people. Inere Is
no good reason to suppose that the leaders VINO
mako these threats can execute them. III no
State as vet have officials Of the knights OF
Labor been able to command considerable
nronortion Of the votes for any political pur-
nose. The labor organizations are composed OF
American citizens These men hold their votes
in trust and are bound to use them for the best
GOOD of the whole Nation, and not for the
benefit of any particular organization lhey
ara VOL aware that their organizations are not
Of q politica character. They join these or
canizations with no idea whatever OF surrender
ING their freedom of suffrage. They well
know. also that the great majority OF the mem
barc will not allow the officials of the organZa-
+on 70 dictate to them how they shall vote as
! citizens.
The truth probably is that the great majority
Of miners are 80 attached to one or the other OF
the great political parties that in contest OF
the highest National importance few OF them
indeed would be governed by the wishes or dc
tates of labor officials. Few would allow theiI
votes upon great questions of National pohcy
TO be swayed one way or another by desire to
reinstate some printers at Washington VINO
NAV. for aught the voters can know, have been
discharged for the best of reasons. The swarm
of political tools thrust into the Government
Prntine-Ofice by various politicians include
many men who are not only worthless, but are
constantly breeding decentralization, insubordi-
nation, and injury to the public interest Iher'
is no reason on the face of things to imagine
that the voters of Ohio want to take up the
cause of these men, without any evidence pup
liclv submitted against the decision of the Pres
ident or the Secretary in charge of the depart
ment. and at sacrifice of public interests whlcf
every intelligent citizen holds of the most vita
importance