The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-02
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THAT

On Saturday our news columns contained
two statements which. when read together.
sound very strangely. A dispatch from
Washington stated that T. V. Powderly was
before the House Committee on the Home
stead strike on Friday and that he testified
that:
Organized labor did not justify the
use of force 10 keep non-uniOn men away;
that the Knights of Labor never prevented
non-union men from accepting work, and
he thought employers could replace union
men by non-union If Pinkertons were not
employed, and that union men kept non
union men from taking their places by
meeting them and persuading them away"
If these principles and methods Of the
labor unions were their ipractlce there
would be nothing but praise for and appro-
baton of them.
But the same paper contained in another
column telegram from Homestead, Pa,
which stated that:
"Of the many men who have returned 10
work in the Homestead mills-abOut one
hundred and twenty-five every man has
received terrible warnings of dire punish
ment if he does not quit work at once. The
men on going home have found sandbags
tied to their doors every morning for a week
past and requests and warnings have been
hung on the front door knobs. Many have
received letters through the mails which
contain bloodthirsty threats OF punishment
for deserving the ranks Of the strikers, In
addition TO this committees Of the strikers
have approached each man and personally
warned him Of his peril Ia remaining atwork.
The strikers have driven Blk foremen out of
the best paying departments IN the Home
stead mills who earned about Si2 day each
They were told 10 leave of work under pain
of being violently dealt with, but they stayed
for week. Then. when one OF them was
caught outside the mill he was severely
beaten and he and the others were told they
would be murdered If they did not leave.
The six foremen left"
Mr.. Powderly's co,l0lr BE rose statements
fall very far short of the mark when put TO
practical test, aud the experience of
Homestead is not singular. What happen
ed there happens too often when labor
unions undertake a strike. And it is the
frequency Of these outrages that has aroused
the severe criticisms under which the false
prophets of labor unions are now wlncing.
Ii is not fair answer for such union men
to denounce as plutocrats and oppressors
those who expose and protect against such
violations of personal right.
The TIMES has never said word against
tho right and the expediency Of work.
men organizing themselves for the com.
mon purpose of securing full wages and
proper treatment; on the contrary. il be-
loyes that some of the greatest steps in the
forward march of human rights aud happi.
ness have been made tn rough the influence
Of labor unions. But the power which
may be used slawfully for proper and bene-
fcial results has come 10 be perverted e
the ends of injustice and tyranny. and
against this We raise our voice and will con.
tinue to DO so as long as any man or set o.
men. be they Russian anarchists or Ameri
can anarchists who. under pretence of up.
holding labor unions. defy the Law anc
trample on the rights of American freemen
When toe secrecy Of labor unions is suffi
GENTLY removed for the public to know shs'
pescebreaksrs have been expelled frou
THAR ORGANIZATIONS and when union rner