The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-21
THE LAw-AsIDISG WALKING DELE-
GATE

man. is tho officer of the labor unions Wit
seems to be in charge Of the strike at But
falo. In an interview day or too back h
said the strikers we're friends of the militia;
that they had destroyed mono of the rail
roads property; that they contemplated
dertroying none: that they would aid the
militia in preventing tho destruction oi
property, and that they were not thugs, but
we'll disposed people who want to gain then
ends by pesceable and not riotous means.
We give Mr. Sweeney the benefit of his own
words, exactly.
Ifsuch sentiments as Mr.. Sweeney declares
we're really the sentiments OF the strikers
and their leaders the public would have
nothing but sympathy for them. and it
would eagerly hope the switchmen might
be able TO induce the employing railroad
authorities TO see that their demands were
reasonable and ought to be conceded.
But the public does not believe Sweeney.
| The public believes that he declares one
thing and that his associates. with or with
out his appreciation. at once enter upon the
opposite course of conduct. The public ID
unwilling 10 accept hr. Sweeney's version
| of tho strikers intentions and frame OF
mind when they see cars burning. water
supplies cut of. passenger trains derailed,
trains uncoupled as soon as made up, the
police resisted and the militia booted Not
only so, but committees of strikers have
called on the sheriff and angrily remon-
strated with him for asking the Governor
to send the military Why should they OF
iect to the military being there If they in
tend to do nothing lawless,
The account which we gave on Friday Of
the performances Of the walking delegate at
the Grand Central Hotel in New York
shows the absolute control the authorities
of the union have over its members. This
man arbitrarily and unreasonabiy made all
sorts Of demands upon the employers, all Of
which had to be acoeded TO at once or every
man in the union stood ready TO QUIT work
at his word When one Of the workmen
demurred at the iusolence of some of his
demands he took the position that his
vanity must be soothed by an apology or
that all work should stop. And all the
unions authorities met in grand council
and resolved to back his demand aud the
matter was settled only by the employer
giving the man money with which he could
pay up all dues and make himself a member
of the union in full standing.
The case showed that the union author-
ties have the most absolute and despotic
sway over the unions. The public then
naturally asks why. if the authorities of the
unions have sentiments and views such as
Mr.. Sweeney declares that they have. did
they not prevent the violence and destruc-
ton Of property which took place at Buff
falo? If they can command their men so
absolutely in matters like the Grand Cen
trial affair why can they not command them
in vitality important matters like these,
having the sentiment and opinion of the
unions on the side of law and order? The
answer is. the public does not believe Dir.
Sweeney.
The Grand Central case to which we have
referred disclosed this fact. The Walking |
Delegate is watchful for an opportunity to |
use all the concentrated power of the unions |
10 force any person coming along who is
not in the union to become a member of il. |
And we may cay further that the conduct Of |
the Walking Delegate as described in the
Iron Age discloses tyrannical control by |
the authorities Of the unions over the mem.
bers which is as gross aud revolving AZ hat
exercised in the middle ages by feudal baron
over villeins.
The Walking Delegate constitutes himself
an absolute master Of the men. They must
60 when he goes and come when he comes.
and no man must gainsay what he LAYS
down for the law or he must incur the
crushing force of the whole union centred
upon him. Such a condition of things as
this is uncomfortable by the public OF the
union. and tho unions must wholly recon-
stitute this theory and practice Of their or
ganization or there will be an early rebel
lion against them by their own workmen.
p. S-Since the above was written the
editorial IN the New York Herald
Of yesterday has come to hand. The Herald
has been treating this subject very gingerly.
but 80 fragrant have become the abuses Of
by leaders of organized labor that
even the cautious Herald has felt itself
10 take this stand in the interest
Of organized labor as well rs OF society at
large Neither the Walking Delegates nor
any others of those who oHciouSiy live on
the contributions of frugal and industrious
sboring men are expected TO enjoy discuss
ons like this
These bold and belicose walking dele
gates are said 10 DO contemplating another
widespread strike In the building trade
II New York; 1t may be fun for them TO
10 so-perhaps they would find their occu-
patton gone if they did not periodically
,ause trouble. Nevertheless they seem a
rife too eager to demonstrate their power.
md they bid fair TO end by doing irreparable
damage to organized labor
No sensible man need be told that far
eaching strikes should not be resorted TO
except in the last extremity. An injury TO
capitalists and contractors is not necessarily
benefit TO the workingman. Organized
abor should read the riot act to the walking
delegate"
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REID's PALACES.