The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-04-05

periods have been selected for going
on strike when the railroads bust
ness was heaviest, that is to say when
the stoppage of business would
inconvenience the most people. Now if
the courts lay it down as principle that
for employees to leave in body under
circumstances that will infiict great in
jury on the public is violation OF law,
then the courts can certainly enjoin en-
pl0yes from going on strike under such
circumstances, and as it can rarely hap
pen that large body of railroad en-
ployes can leave their employment sud-
denly without inflicting such great dam
age, it would seem that the application
of this principle would prevent striking
on railroads altogether. Certainly it
men can leave their employment only
under conditions that will infict no
great damage on the public, they are
practically forbidden to leave except af-
ter giving reasonable notice or after
their places have been filled. Thus the
strike as it is now known would be a
thing of the past on railroads, land the
power of any effective combination
among railroad employees for the raising
of their wages would be gone.
1t is not surprising that railraad en-
ployes regard the decision of Judge
Kicks as killing blow at their organiza-
ton. Such certainly it will prove to be
if sustained by the Supreme court.
REPUBLICANS AND THE ELECTION.
If the Republicans are counting upon
any considerable number of Democrats
to aid them in electing Mr.. Baxter,
either directly by theirvotes orindirectly
by staying away from the polls they are
cherishing delusion. There will proba-
bly, be some help from this direction, but
appearances indicate that it will be in
significant Immediately after the DEM
onstration of the fraud in Ward One
there were undoubtedly many Democrats
who were filed with disgust and who
would if the new election had been held
within few days have shown it at the
polls but the majority of them have re-
covered, or at any rate have concluded to
swallow their disgust at the demand OF
the bosses. Ingraham protested as much
disgust as anybody, characterizing the
affair as ''dirty mess' and expressing
his intention to have nothing to do with
it, but he has now written letter saying
he is ready for the fight, and is even pro
Tossing pride at having an opportunity to
again be the candidate. Guptill, whose
ssself-respect'' would not allow him to
accept a certificate was whipped in
twenty-four hours later by the bosses,
and so were Tibbetts and Simpson.
These are all fair representatives of what
is known as the better element of the
Democratic party, and their surrender
makes it pretty certain that the number
of that element that will not rally to
the vindication of Harper will be very
small.
Republicans therefore may count on
meeting the whole Democratic party on
election day, not in the least dispirited
by the fraudulent practices in Ward One.
Indeed certain elements in the party
have apparently been inspirited by them
to work harder than ever. To make the
slum element of the party enthusiastic
Ingraham has thrown out in an official
letter the prospect of free rum and plenty
of it at the agency for the ensuing year,
and doubtless his proclamation will have
the desired effect. 1t is being instilled
into the brethren too that their chances
at the Federal Offices will be greatly i'm
proved if they make good showing at
the election, and this is firing the hearts
of many of them. Indeed every string is
being pulled by the Democrats to get out
their full strength.
Republicans must see to it then if they
would elect Mr.. Baxter that their whole
party strength is polled. Every Republi-
can voter should be carefully looked
after. Nothing should be left to chance.
The Republicans undoubtedly elected
Mr.. Bake DIT the first election. TIL y as
suredly can do it again if they are united
and Jealous. But no reliance should be
placed on Democratic disgust.