New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-17
A LESSON or THE STRIKE.

Ar thn convention of the miners Of the Pits
burr district. representing about 10000 men,
| II WAS unanimously resolved on Friday 10 begin
work tomorrow on the basis approved by the
Columbus Convention. This action was largely
dine 70 the effect Of letter from President NC
Bride. In which he vividly described the stun
tion confronting the miners He said that their
funds were all exhausted, and that they were
in debt: that there was no money 10 pay eX-
nenscs of management or to assist those out OF
work: that many members were In Jail, many
others had been arrested for conspiracy ana
| There WAS not a dollar in the treasury 10 defend
them. This statement Of plain facts was cf-
| fectual and the men VIII doubtless return j"
| a body 10 the mines tomorrow.
Thus opnarcntly ends. so far as the Pittsburg
district is concerned strike which circum-
stances did not Justify from practical point oil
view. and which almost from the outset has de-
served 10 fail because of the lawleSsieSs through
which success has been sought. Some OF the
leaders have undoubtedly cndcavorel 10 exercise
restraining influence upon their followers.
They have repeatedly urged them 10 refrain
from violence. pointing out not only the advan-
tage Of public sympathy and approval but the
certain consequences Of FORGETTING the goodwill
sci has prevailed Cases are recalled in which
determination 10 do bloody work ab1n-
doncd at the last moment. owing TO their per
suasion Nevertheless. this period Of contention
has been dIsfirircd continually by riotouS out
hrool,s In which numerous lives have been de-
stroycA as well as great amount Of property
and IN which almost incredible mhhghlF Oh
temper has been manifested, not by a few turbu-
of pN
President Mcbride is reported as saying That
thc first act Of violence blasted oil hope OF get
ting National settlement. Certainly a swift
succession of such acts destroyed every POSSIBLE
ity that the men would succeed. one Of the rea'
sons given for the failure Is that many oi inc
strikers deserted their fellows II this is true,
nc v,o sincerely hope II Is. their withdrawal from
the contest was probably due In great measure
II not primarily and chiefly, 10 The fact that 'h'y
abhorrcd The practices by which their comrades
were endcavorlng to produce state OF terror
and anarchy. II must be that thousands 81
them. honest in heart and purpose, desiring 10
win ONLY bv lawful and decent methods, were
rcvolted by the shameful barbariucs committed
in the pretended service Of the organization.
| This we believe to have been The fact not only
in This case but frequently in the past. when
|
ings have come TO grief.
| Some leaders. as we have said. have from inc
first desired 10 prevent violence. They nave
| perceived and declared that II would work Il
| total forfeiture of public sympathy, and for mat
reason they have rebuked and sought - STOP
| r. But we have not seen them declaring lI"t
| such internal work rs has been done during inc
| last month must he stopped because IL was III
tripsically horrible. They have not told their
| followers that such atrocities ought 10 array
| against them every honest man and woman IN
! the United States. They have not said that thcy
| would have nothing further 10 do with a strike
SO Inspired and SO promoted. If this has been
| their feeling, their words have not expressed H.
Nor can It be denied that labor leaders almost
| invariably refrain from donOunclng In III terms
| the lawlessness which they sometimes endeaVor
| from motives Of prudence to check Their retl-
cencc on this specific point Is. we believe, not
only wrong but foolish. The better part, and we
think by far the larger part, OF their followers
would ratfy vigorous dcnunclation OF the
turbulence and crime which frequently cbarac-
terlze and ruin their plans to better their eondi-