Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-19
DIR. Parker Replies to +" Citizen"

hlOhhOND, hplli ~ AoJls
Permit me to say to "Citizen" that
nothing is farther from the purpose OF the
writer than to doanything that might lead
by possibility to the humiliation" of the
directors ofthe Locomotiye-W Works. Nor do
we propose to NEEDLE with their bust
ness. Meddlers" have bad reputation
in the Bible, while peace-mskersn are
highly commended Our motto is, Peace
on earth, good will to men," am quite
sure Citizen will adopt this motto also.
l endorse all said by "Visitas in the
State of yesterday on the respective rights
of capital and labor"
/ have no sympathy with any man who
after ne mas left a shop interferes with
men who desire to work there. Such a
course will deprive him of the sympathy of
all good men. But Ihaye in common with
most right-thinklng men great sympathy
for a large class of sober, industrious men
with families dependent upon them. who
in defence Of what they think are the just
rights of class of fellow-workmen, throw
down their tools and silently protest
against such a course on the part OF their
employers am glad there is no money"
involved in this question l don't like
money as O basis of strikes. but when
principle or justice is involved then am
interested. Were to meet Citizen in u
foreign land and knew he was from Rich
mondn how cordially would i grasp his
hand aud know would get hearty grip
in return. This is the principle that un-
derlies in part our sympathy with both the
men and the works in this controversy.
They are all Richmond" men. / love
every interest and every inch of Richmond.
This is every citizens duty l want peace
in this Richmond family, not strife; union,
not discord.
The greatest and most complex interna-
tional questions are often submitted 70 ar
bitration. How easy would il be for four
level-headed, disinterested gentlemen TO
settle thelittle question between the works
and the menl There are several other
compromises than the one mentioned IN
my former letter, one of which might be
satisfactory to both parties.
BY agreeing to arbitration the works
would run no risks, because their repre-
sentatiyes would really be under their
control and would not agree TO any terms
really hurtful 10 their principal. My good
fellow Citizen" let the board condo
scend to men of low estate" 1t is no
"humiission," assure you. II is beauti-
full and msgnanimous. Some OF these boy,
are supporting widowed mothers, as |
know. Shall their willing hands be forced
20 longer idlenessY IL they are in error the
arbitrators may be able TO satisfy them that
they are wrong and peace will come. Final
ly, Citizen says 1t cannot be denied
that the men brought this trouble upon
themselves III so yield the whole ques-
tion. The firebrand that lit this whole
CONFIRMATION was the placing a tdborer in
an ed,Iodted mechanics plGcs and over the
heads OF young Iaen who were there faith
fully serving the company as apprentices,
for small pay The meu are the defenders
not the argressors in this trouble. This
seems very plain There is no question. IT
seems 10 me. In this controversy that
puts 1t beyond the pale OF arbitration. As
q rule, the party that refuses 10 arbitrate
injures bis cause. II looks like he feared
investigation. Hastily. but very respect
fully. w. w. PARKER.