Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-08-11
WHY was it that Mr.. Pullman

Why was it that Mr.. Pullman
would not meet Mr.. Debs in consul
tation, when requested, as yice-pres-
ident Wickes is willing to do now,
and save the loss of life and destruc-
tion of property? To answer this
question it will be necessary to learn
what was the cause of the strike
Debs stated that "enforced idleness,
low wages, resulting in widespread
poverty and in many cases actual
starvation
The Pullman strike was not de-
clared until the employees of the
Pullman Company we're driven to
the verge of starvation, their entreat-
les spurned with contempt and their
grievance denied hearing. II this
be SO, and it has not been denied,
who, but those lost to all feeling of
manhood could look at their fami-
lies in state of actual starvation
after their entreaties were spurned,
and not strike.
Grand Master Wilkinson, of tie
Brotherhood of Trainmen, who re-
fused to let his order identify itself
with the Pullman strikers, said j:
"The triumph of this railroad strike
would be the triumph of anarchy"
Mistake. Anarchy is presupposed
to be lack or failure of government
to suppress lawlessness, when aimed
or directed against state. The
Pullman strikers (proper) did not
aim to subvert any state govern
ment, but to punish Mr.. Pullman by
demolishing his cars for his obsti-
macy in not listening to their griev-
anccs, and meliorate their condition
by advancing their wages. There is
no fear of anarchy but a whispering
of oligarcy.
If Mr.. Debs' letters toMr. Pullman
were kept and could be presented in
a court of justice, they would show
that Mr.. Debs desired to meet a COM
mittee representing the Pullman
Company, by which reconciliation
could be made. Proof of this is,
that when vice-president Wickes, of
the Pullman company, wrote that he
would meet the strikers by appoint
ment, they met, concord was restor
ed and they have resumed work for
said company.
In the name of all that is just and
equitable Gas all strikes are just and
local, and responsible to the state
authority only for any overt wrong
and not to the Federal Government
why is it, that State Legislature
does not pass law, which shall CON-
pei proprietors and employees to meet
aud adjust all disagreements and
stop strikes?
There being no law to compel the
proprietors, is why they will not
meet. Knowing this, and that the
government will uphold them in
their nefarious action, and that the
state or states must idemnify them
they prefer that to the arbitration
or an advance of the trivial amount
of ten cents per ton or day.
l have reflected on the writing Of
many who have written, and theil
expression, though he has been vi
tuperatcd, must state that Gov
Waite, of Colorado, said more TO the
purpose than any I have noticed
When asked by the sheriff for state
troops, he said, "Have they offered
to arbitrate with their employees? l
not, l shall not give you soldier tc
place my state in debt. Let the com
pany pay their men fair price, ant
there will he no Striko-it can bt
settled in FIVE minutes"
To conclude: There is only ONT
thing that will prohibit strikes. Tha
the Legislature of each state enac
an1 notify all proprietors positively
ftbav =ill not consent to arbitrat'
with their 'Uployes, or meet com
mittee represe4 ting Them the stat
shall not idemnify, if a strike occurs
1t will ba better for s'ase W ueoie
that proprietors meet a 0""i''ee,o
pay their employees fair price ~
their labor, than the state I s'a'e
shall yay s325,OO0, as was the cas-
in Pennsylvania, or perhaps MILL III
--as IN the present strike-to theL
for destruction of property by their
denying willfully every proposition
of their employees, knowing as they
do now, that the states are response
BILE.
Pass that law and there will be no
more strikes, states will not become
responsible for such debts, p President
Cleveland will not be necessitated to
usurp state or local government,
Union Associations will cease and
no more wives and children made
widows and orphans. g.. FLYNN.
Mr.. Hardsense-You have no ac-
complisihments, Miss Bildings
Miss Bildings-No.
Mr.. H.-And you have never beer
Il