The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-04

When serious events like the troubles at
Homestead take place. especially, if, as
there, they are attended with o loss of
human life. the excitable, sensational ele-
ment Of the people flies off the helye and is
lucky if it escapes "csniption fts." Com
mon sense, however. soon mounts again into
the saddle and reason in due course re-
sumes its sway, while the excitable breth-
rem are sent to the rear to repair damages
and look out for other opportunities FOR SEN
sations.
One would have supposed that time
enough had interviewed since the fatal day
at Homestead for body as staid and con-
servative as the Senate of the United States
ought to be to recover its equanimity and TO
govern any actioni might take in connection
with that sad affair by the every day prin-
ciples of common sense, but one would be
greatly mistaken if he had come to that
conclusion On Tuesday the Senate adopted
resolution touching this subject which is
entirely sensational in its nature, and moth
ing but sensational Divestod of all ambig-
uous and unnecessary verbiage the Teso-
luton directs special committee of sena-
tors TO be appointed by the President of the
Senate to inquire into all matters connected
with the employment Of Pinkerton's watch
men in case of strikes, and to report what
legislation by Congress is necessary to pre-
vent future use Of Pinkertons in such cases.
1t is perfectly obvious that such an in
quiry and such q report can result in no
good and in nothing practical, and for two
good and sufficient reasons. The first of
which is that Congress is wisely forbidden
by the Constitution 10 enact any statute
which by any possibility can reach the case:
the second of which IS that private watch
men are absolutely necessary to the protec-
ton of private property when strikes take
place in which the strikers threaten the de-
struction Of property, and they must be
controlled and held amenable to State laws,
and only TO State laws.
The Congress of the United Statess ia for
hidden. and most wisely forbidden, by the
Constitution of the United States to pass
any act which by any possibility can have
the remotest connection with preserving
and maintaining the peace when collision
takes place within the borders OF State
between two individuals or two sets Of in
diyiduals. 10 is the very cornerstone Of
our liberties and our form of government
that such matters are 10 DO dealt with by
our State legislatures and our State officials
and we should soon have a centralized des-
potism If this were not 30. The American
people have no idea therefore OF parting
with this cherished principle of their insti-
tutions. and however much Congress may
wish the power TO deal with such events
that power will never DO conferred upon IT,
In the way of regulating commerce be-
tween the States. Congress might beIhed TO
have power 10 forbid bodies Of armed men
10 cross the border line between two States,
though that Is very doubtful Ii might be
hold in connection with that function TO
have power TO forbid any collection of men
| crossing the border line of State IL I'M
armed. though that is still more doubtful.
| But If 1t could do either how futile would
be such an act to reach the supposed
evil leeislated against. What difficulty
would Pinkerton have In sending his
| body OF men across the line unarmsd,