The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1892-07-09
PITTSBURG RIOT.

There is war in Pittshurg, Pa, be
tween the locked-out operators in the
mills and the employers The laborers
have held possession of the works since
July lst, and "Wednesday force of
Pinkerton's detectives came down to
protect property, and there has been
blood shed as the result. Several
Pinkerton men have been killed and
also large number of the rioters.
The latest intelligence Is to the effect
that the Pinkerton men are besieged
on scow or the Allegheny river and
the operatives are firing cannon on
them and preparing to set the craft on
FIRE by pouring oil in the river. This
is a desperate situation, and within
the next twenty-four hours there will
be barharous massacre of the Pinker
ton men, or the armed force of the mi
litia of the state of Pennsylvania will
come to the rescue. In such an en-
ergency, the press, being the mouth
piece of public opinion, should take
decided stand in the matter.
We do not believe IN THIS tree
country that a gang of hired assassins
should be subservient to capi-
tai no more than they are to
impoverished laborers, and for this
reason we consider the Pinker-
ton detectives menace to the
liberty of the individual citizen as
they would be in Great Britain or any
other free country. The laws of the
United States, granting protection to
life and property, should be enforced
at all hazards, and this irrespective of
the personal grievances Of any class of
workmen or capitalists. This consid- |
Grafton of wages is question to be
determined between workmen and |
their employers, and the law making
powers have no right of interference.
If Mr.. Carnegie thinks he cannot pay
his men the wages they demanded, as
a business man he was justified in re-
fusing their demands, and, on the con-
trarv, if the men considered they were
not receiving enough for their labor
they should refuse to work. But,
neither IS blameless if they attempt to
destroy the property of the other. 1t
is matter that must be adjusted be-
tween themselves, and the legislature
Of the state of Pennsylvania or the
congress of the United States have
no right to interfere. This question
If wages is governed by the same in
law of supply and demand
hat the price of wheat or corn is IN
he market. The producer will get
he highest figure possible, and the
purchaser will pay the least price.
The employer will get men as cheap as
possible and the wage-earner has the
privilege of securing the highest price
or his labor. This is human nature
he world over, and no Law can alter
he conditions.
As regards the Pittsburg riots Pin
,erton's force should not have been !
mployed; but this is no reason that
he members should be butchered like
,easts in shambles, or burned to
eath by infammable oil according to
he plan of the riotous mob. The
,olice force should have been exhausted
rst to protect property; then the sheriff .
nd his posse, and, when these failed,
he militia force of the State of
with loaded car
ridges and Winchester rifles,
hould be called upon to do
heir duty. If these were all futile,
hen the army of the United
tates, with. all the powers of the gov
rnment. should be called upon to en-
orce order. The law must be supreme
whatever cost, and without it Is free I
overnment is sham and farce. It !
sad commentary upon nation of
{, 1000, 900 people that hired mercena-
les had to be called to Pittsburg to :
rotect the property of Carnegie, when :
be police force of the city number /
nree or four hundred, or the sheriff I
ould summon a thousand or more :
zen, and the state ten or twenty
1ousand well.drllled soldiers of the
Iational Guard. The life and prop 9
rty Of the hum blest, as well as of the t
'ealthiest citizen, should be protected
all hazards. This is free govern Z
rent, but such freedom Is worse than l
espotism if property can be destroyed :
the will of riotous mob, or f
lan's life can only be protected at the 9
luzzle of shotgun or revolver.
uzz,zzszxHz
Speaking of American vs. British !,
.ade with Canada, Consul Ryder cf !,
uebec says: "The United States .