St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-07-19
CONTROL OF
RAILROADS.

Mr.. Gompers is very sensible man
in some respects, but is paipably con-
trolled by his passions rather than his
reason. He was wise in refusing to be-
come embroiled in the pending railroad
strike; he has been exceedingly unwise
in seeking to justify it, and he is still
more foolish IN the lesson he draws
from it. Although the strike failed In
way" he said in recent interview,
lit still will be of great benefit to the
people. 1t is an unanSwerabie and con-
vincing argument in favor Of tho gov
eminent ownership of all railroads. 1t
has done more than ten years OF agita-
ton could for the naturalization OF
railways"
1t Is doubtful IL Mr.. Gompers under
stands the full import of what he calls
1.-The naturalization Of railways" Does
he really think that IL the governmen
had control of these highways,the rights
of the workingmen would be more care
fully looked after than at present? If ne
has any such idea he is singularly blind
to facts that must be apparent TO the
NEST careless observer.
The condition of the employees of the
government is not such as to awaken
envy In the breasts of sensible men.
The principal officeholders are not
chosen for their fitness for the work
committed to their care. but rather be-
cause of the political services they have
rendered to the party i'll power. A few
of these are literally paid. and yet they
receive less for their services than rail-
road officials receive in positions of less
responsibility. The great body of gov
eminent employees receive far less than
ordinary mechanics do for their Serv-
ices, while each man is under bond 10
insure his efficiency and honesty. They
are subject to dismissal at the caprice
of their superiors. and as rule clean
sweep is made at the beginning of each
presidential term. Every man in the
departments is expected to be in accord
with the policy Of the Administrations
to vote the party ticket and work for
the success of all its candidates without
regard to their qualifications. Thus,
when man enters the government
service, he surrenders his personal lib :
erty into the keeping of others, and can
neither speak nor vote for principles
which he believes to be of vital conce IN
to the public veal. He dare not protest
against extravaganza or mismanage-
ment through fear Of losing his posi-
ton; he dare not defend those who may
be unjustly censured lest he meet the
same fate; he must be conteut to be a
mere machine, performing his duties
with clock-lke regularity. nett her
knowing nor caring what transpires
about him. He must become a simple
drudge. nothing more.
1t would be a sorry day for the rail
way workers when they should become
the servants Of the federal COVER lment.
At best they could not be assured of
holding their positions for more than
one presidential term. There would be
little incentive to effort to make their
services indispensable, for no matter
how faithful servant he might be he
would be turned out Of office on the
incoming of new administration. He
could not, if a brakeman, hope to rise to
the position of a conductor. for the DOW
with political ''pull'' who would lay
claim to the best offices. The political
bosses would become the industrial
bosses, and gang rule would prevail
everywhere.
1t is charitable to believe that NJ r.
Gompers has not considered the govern
ment ownership and control of rail-
roads in all its bearings. His superficial
view has comprehended only frag-
ment of the system, and probably
merely an ideal system at that. There
IS no reason to believe that different
methods would control in department
or bureau of railroads than that which
now prevails in other depar tments and
bureaus. All are patterned after the
same model; all are simply harbors for
political hacks. Merit is not the line OF
promotion. That line begins at the
caucus and ends at the polls.