The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1892-12-09
POLITICS AND NATIONALIST
Public Conduct of all Business for the
Public Benefit.

Public Conduct OF all Business for the
Public Benefit.
Cel tainly the recent industrial dis
turbances in Tennessee. at Homestead
and at Buffalo ought not to be Jumped
together in considering their causes
or consequences. Except that organ
lied labor was party in the contro-
versy in all three cases, they were
distinct in origin and significance
The Tennessee outbreak was in op-
position to the inhuman convict-leas-
ing system which is disgrace to
certain Of the Southern states and to
the Northern capitalists who share in
its profits No uprising ever had
more righteous purpose. however de-
plorable it's methods. than that of the
Miners union against this abomina-
BILE institution. and. although temper
arily defeated. they are bound to re-
new and carry on the struggle till it
is crowned with victory. Being direct
ed against local and peculiar evil
the miners revolt is not likely to af-
feet the general political or indus
trial situations: but it Is certainly a
remarkable phenomenon as indicating
the growth and agrressiveness of or
ganized labor in the South. where it
has never before shown much
strength. 1t is significant in this re-
spect of the rate at which the eco
nomic conditions OF the South. which
under slavery were so opposite to
those of the North are beginning to
approximate them.
In the South as in the North. the
issue is soon to be drawn between
capital and organized labor and the
political solidarity of the Southern
states will be threatened by another
line of cleavage running not with.
but across the race issue. and con-
fusing the color line.
The troubles at Homestead and
Buffalo differ from previous coils
ions between capital and organized
labor only in the extraordinary
bitterness of feeling and the scenes OF
bloodshed which have attended them,
together with the military display
which has given them almost the
character of civil war.
The Homestead and Buffalo troubles
indicate beyond question that the
controversy between labor and capt.
tai is entering on phase of unpre-
cedented intensity. and that we have
before us a period of confusion and
bloodshed not likely to end save in
some radical readjustment of indus
try.
It is impossible to see how either
the Republican or Democratic party
is to make capital out of these events
writes Edward Bellamy, in the New
York Herald. Both parties ignore
the existence of any radical Industrial
question: Or any issue between labor
and capitalism. The leadership of
both is equally plutocratic in charac-
ter and. except on the single issue of
the tariff. the financial and Industrial
policies of both are Identical. The
hope of the party leaders that the
working masses of the nation can still
be persuaded to regard higher or
lower tariff as a vital issue betrays ar
entire misconception of the extent,
the intelligence and the radical char
acter of the social and Industrial dis
content now prevailing in the United
States.
The events at Buffalo are especially
timely argument for the third par
tvs proposition of government owner
ship and operation of the railroads as
the only way alike to secure justice
and permanent employment to the
men and protect the travelling and
business community from inconven-
fence by the stoppage of traffic every
time the management OF a road quar-.
rels with its men.
The leading principle of the whole
platform and policy OF the new party
is that Of the naturalization for the
general welfare of business and
functions which are now monopolized
by irresponsible capitalists. 1t
demands not only nationalizations o.
the railroads telegraphs. telephones.
the banking and the currency. but
generally 'that the power of govern.
ment-in other words the people
should be expanded" in the under
taking of business las rapidly and
as far as the good sense of an intel
ligent people and the teachings o
experiences shall justify. to the enc
that oppression. injustice and poverty
shall eventually cease in the land.
The naturalization of the iron and
: coal industry will follow that of the
railroads and some day make Home
, stead truly a homestead for it.
people.
This principle of the public con
| duct of all business for the publ
benefit is the only basis on which tn
: industrial war can ever end in peace
1t is only question of time when tn
strife of capital and organized labor
7 with its violence bloodshed and gen
} eral inconvenience shall wear out tn
> patience of a long suffering nation
, Then the people will arise in thei
, collective might ald take charge O
the whole concern.
!. Party Spirits.
The party spirit. which prevaile
in the South and North in antebellur
times. seems to have a strong foot