The St. Johns herald., 1892-09-01
An Economic Issue.


 methods; and that the real cause 0
 the riot was the ignorant failure o
 the company to recognize that al economic solution was possible anC would be the best for all parties
 and a determination to insist upor an antiquated resort to force to es tablish legal rights outgrown by the advance of society. This is another illustration of the social law so of ten emphasized in history, namely, that civilization always demands the adjustment of political rights to the requirements of advancing eco- homie and social relations, and that persistent opposition to this law by either kings or capitalists is sure to force an eruption dangerous, if not fatal, to social welfare and free gov ernment. His the function of so- cial philosophy and statesmanship to teach economic principles and devise political measures that shall bring about this readjustment in accordance with the trend of social evolution, which, of course, de- mands that all social notifications shall be based upon the principle of increasing the security of person al and political liberty, the safety of property, and the freedom of com petitive adjustment of economic difficulties.
 The Carnegie conflict has shown that in order to secure this, several measures are necessary. First of all must of course be an unqualified enforcement of the rights of proper ty. This is fundamental necessity to social freedom and progress, and should therefore be made absolute and complete. No industrial con- ditions whatsoever should be set up as defense for the destruction of property. In fact, party rights and personal safety must be held abso- lutely sacred ,and this laborers must religiously recognize no less than capitalists. But to secure these the fullest opportunity for economic competition must be guaranteed. This involves, first, the recognition of trade unions as a necessary part of the industrial organization of society, entitled to the same legal status and support afforded to or ganized capital. Second, that the refusal of capital to treat with labor organizations and especially to in- stitute lockouts for the purpose of forcing workmen to disband their unions, shall be regarded as against public policy, to be discouraged by the courts and disfavored by legis- lation as against the interests of the State. Third, the entire responsi- bility of protection to life and pro- perty shall be Tn the hands of the community, and no capitalist shall be permitted to employ private troops under any circumstances, ex- cept when called upon to do SD by the authorities for the purpose of strengthening the ordinary police machinery of the community. Fourth, that in all cases of indus trial disputes, laborers shall have the same right peacefully to dis suade laborers from taking their places that employers have to in duee them to do so. This indeed is necessary to the efficiency of the strike, and the strike must be re- oognized as being part of the com petitive machinery of modern in dustry, as itis.
 There is no other method es yet devised by which the competition of laborers for 8 higher, because better paid status can be secured, and as such the strike is of incal- culable value to the community. Those who see in it only disturb ance and disorder look at the sur face alone. But those who look be- low the surface will discern the method of the gradual rise of the ancient serf to the modern laborer,