New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-13
THE UORKMEN IND THE MILITIA.

The PENNSYLVANIA militia occupy Homestead
and the arbitrary and irresponsible rule Oh the
mi.hands is at an end The troops have been
received by the popuace with cordially ana
il is already certain that until they are ordered
10 do something more than watch the works
and patrol the streets they will encounter no
resistance. In numbers and discipline the citi-
zen sodicry have made an impressive appear
ance. 1t is greatly to their crcdit ,nat 'heS
responded so promptly and checriully wheh
summoned to the service of the state ana THIS
sudden demonstration of efficiency must be not
ONLY gratifying to the people OF Pennsylvania,
but exceedingly discouraging to the Toes OF
public order everywhere. The attitude ana
utterances of the Homestead workmen, 80 far
rs they relate merely to the occupation OF the
town nv the militia are unobjectionable. The
demonstration with which they had prepared
TO receive the soldiers was prevented by CIR
cumstances. fortunately, we think, since the
business on hand is of serious nature ana
should be conducted from the outset with strict
discnine: but it is unnecessary to look behind
the manifestations of respect for law and friend
" feeling for its opponents in search OF I'M
worthy motives The workmen have neither
tered '''~
troons and thew are entitled to credit for their
perfect submission to authority. The contrast
between their demeanor yesterday and their
actions a week ago to-day is striking ana Sug-
restive If the militia had appeared upon the
scene last Wednesday in place Of the detectives
a bloody and shameful riot and subsequent
scenes of lawlessness would have been avoided.
The company had legal right TO employ armed
watchmen. but the constituted authorities ought
TO have forestalled the assertion OF that right
So far. then. as the conduct of the troops
and the workmen up to this time is concerned
there is much that is creditablc ana cheering
in the present situation. Nor, II the repre-
scntativeS of the company are correctly quoted
is their disposition harsh and exasperating ME-
Prick SAYS frankly that he expects to put the
mills in operation with or without the CO.
operation of the old employees, but his Ian
euage though firm, is not rancorous. lie
hopes that a large proportion of them will go
back TO their work, and if we understand his
position he is willing to discuss points at issue
with the men as individuals We hope that
he is so inclined This is suitable time for
conciliatory acts on both sides, by which the
old relations of mutual confidence and interest
may be restored and strengthened.
There u.s. however one disquicting feature
in the situation. The workmen or at least
those among them who succeed in making them
selves heard. are still asserting that the troops
are on the spot merely for the purpose OF watch
ing the property, that the mills shall never be
operated by outsiders and that the first APP
pearance of non-union men will he the signal
for renewed violence. Such uttcanccS are
wicked and foolish. We do not believe that
they reflect the spirit and intentions OF the
majority. But whether they do or not, public
opinion will not approve them, and they can
not be sustained by the authorities. Order will
be maintained at Homestead or those who ylo-
late it will suffer the penalty. The owners OF
the steel works have a right, not merely to
hold the title to them, but to use them a. they
please within the law. They are under moral
responsibility to exercise discretion and good
will but they arc neither legally nor morally
bound to surrender the control Of their prop
erty to any other persons whatsoever. Ana Ill
the maintenance Of their rights the state ought
TO and will support them firmly and eilcctually