Telegram-herald., 1891-05-29
SECRET BOYCOTT.

1t has been the devout wish OF all
good citizens that the present street car
difficulties might be settled and tran
aui.I.s restored. Instead OF this con-
summation the breach widens and the
end q As far from attainment as at the
start. IL the controversy affected only
those Immediately concerned. the pub
lie would have little interest IN It. But
II goes farther than the strikers and the
company. IL obstructs the channels OF
legitimate business, paralysis CONT
dence and palsles enterprise. For this
state OF communism, for Il 10 not less
than communism, the striking street
car employees are primarily responsible.
Tnis may be an unpleasant truth 10 the
strikers and their supporters, but IT IS
the truth Just the same. Every act Of
violence, every threat and menace
must be laid at the doors of the strik-
ers. This, too, IS an unpleasant asser-
ton, but is the truth just the same.
These men, the strikers, exercising
the right TO quit irksome employment,
did 40. Whether their grievances, in
diyidually or collectively, were great
or small, II was their privilege to cease
work. Having done so, there were
neither contract, social requirements
nor law 10 prevent them from seeking
employment in other callIngs. They
were free To quit; they are free to work
elsewhere. After voluntarily having
quit, the sympathy of the public was
extended 10 them under the conviction
that the men had suffered undue hard
ships. Public sentiment found express
son in monster parade. That DEM
onstratlon was lawful and voluntary.
Since then thoughtful citizens have
given the whole subject consideration.
Sentiment has undergone q change.
People are asking one another why Is
II that strikers are allowed special and
extraordinary privileges TO run public
conyeyances? Why is 1t that such
vehicles are run without interference
and their passengers are exempt from
insult while people who desire to ride
on the street cars are deferred from so
doing by threats of boycott or the boots
and yeIls, the indecent and oftimes
obscene cries of the mob? Why does
the mayor, ever ready TO offer his
opinion and TO act on other questions,
retain profound silence on this? Why
does the machinery of justice refuse to
run, while Judge sneaks behind his
bench and the public prosecutors hide
beneath the bar? Why are good citizens
restrained from expressing honest opin-
ions and deferred from prosecuting
business or pleasure as they may elect?
Why are policemen required to guard
the street cars while lawfully passing
along the streets The answer to them
al =. that il because one hundred and
seventy street railway employees on the
morning OF May 10th, voluntarily left
their work aud now demand that they
shall make the rules and regula-
tons; establish the rate OF wages;
fix TIE number Of hours of labor, and
IN other ways direct the management
of the street railway systems OF this
city. The company wisely or unwisely
refused to turn their business over into
the hands of the one hundred and
seventy men. Since that time these
one hundred and seventy men. aided
and abetted by sympathzers, have re-
sorted to every weapon to warp public
prejudice in their favor and to create
public apprehension Of violence and
destruction. Their cause was con-
fessediy weak, or else they would have
been willing to trust il IN the hands of
the people who, II their position was
night would manifest their support bv
refusing to patronize the company. The
strikers and their sympathizers feared
to do this. Instead Of permitting every
man to Go "a he thinks honorable and
right, they issue notice
that they must be supported
whether right or wrong. They
say 70 the merchant and business man
you must not ride on the street cars,
4 you do ride on them we viii ruin
your business. Business men stand
trans6xed with sstonshment At their
impudepce and intolerance. This IS
not fairness. Il q not honesty, il il not
i'ist. Il Is intimidation. coercion and
damnsbie outrsge on personal liberty.
The boycott under such circumstances
"a uo~ etist q uniust fable, unlawful
ard cowardls. II = the Hleglsmate
chld OF socialism, the herald OF
anarchy. The men who sneak INTO
business places aud by threats interfere
with the purchase and sale ~ naerchsn-
disc are contemplate suhalterns ~ op-
pression. tyranny AM cowardice. The
business men Of tbs city should
assert their Independence snd the
dignity % unsramueied manhood and
resent thls unhoiy espionage sad inter-
fsrence. ksfor the TshsGasss ilEaAHe
itusitner courts noe fears tise boycott.
ftaas fsrsainea Silent on th~ naefis a
tne stfks 5eessa e bad heped tAs