The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-30
THE PULLMAN BOYCOTT.
He either fears his fate too much.
or his deserts are small


or his deserts are small
Who dares not put II TO the lcuch,
And win or lose II all!
Nr Eugene V. Debs. president OF the
American Railway Union. must have had
some such inspiring sentiments as are
expressed in the above distich. when ne
ordered the universal strike Of railway
employees against their respective employ
ers because the companies continued TO
use Pullman palace cars.
When some 10000. 1000 or $1,000 men
the number is indefinite. and constantly
changlng-employed regularly in busl-
ness which goes to the very life of trade
and the transportation Of persons, revolt
and throw up their places. when they
well know that, as far as they are per-
sonally concerned, no other employment IS
likely TO be found. and that they and their
families will be great sufferers unless the
strike succeeds. and that as far as the
nublic is concerned immeasurabie IN
convenience and loss will inevitably fol-
low unless the railroads Immediately sur
render. a state of mind in those railway
employes is presented which well deserves
the most serious consideration.
Nov. the first question would naturally
be What is all the fight about?
THE answer comes, The railway en-
nIoves base their action upon Mr.. PULL
mans refusal to submit TO arbitration
the question OF the wage reduction at
Pullman.
Pullman, It should be remembered is
the small model 60 town near Chicago,
where are located the chief works OF
pol
We know nothing of the merits Of the
controversy between Mr.. Pullman and his
employees. but We VIII assume that his
course has been hard. grasplng and I'M
compromising. and that his employees
heartily and justly detest him.
We do not. Of course. pretend to say
that this is the real state Of the case-as
we firmly believe in the old saying. hear
the other side" but we viii grant that
such Is the case
Mr.. Pullman, then, having refused the
request Of his old employees TO arbitrate
what wages they should receive in the
works Of the company controlled by him,
presents the alternative to those en-
ployes either 10 accept his offer or to
quit. They decline TO DO either and APP
peal TO the American Railway Union 70
aid them in forcing MIR. Pullman 10 con-
tinue to employ them. and to pay sucn
wages as may be rXed by board OF
arbitration. The members OF the Rail-
way Union, which practically controls the
workmen on all the western ana perhaps
many Of the eastern railroads. upon the
order OF their officers, then, not only
abandon their places but forbid anybody
else TO take them. and try in every way
10 paralyze all the movements of trains
throughout the West.
No matter how great the loss Of freight.
perishing on the way. or how severe the
suffering OF men. women and children,
who may be stopped by this arbitrary
action. the Railway Union reicntlessiy
puts a stop to the movement of all the
trains In their power because Mr.. George
Nj. Pullman and a few hundred of his em-
ployes cannot agree on the scale of wages.
The inconvenience. loss, and distress
arisiag from this arbitrary action is be-
yond computation, but as we believe the
whole power Of the United States should
be used, regardless Of the expense of blood
and treasure. TO liberate one American
citizen unlawfully and unjustly confined
by foreign power. so We do not estimate
the loss and inconvenience in this case
If the object TO be attained is lawful ana
lust one But we believe that the underly-
ing principle OF this Railway Union is
wrong-essentially wrong and tyranncal,
and will inevitably lead. if 1t prevails, 10
an organized tyranny as oppressive and
more heartless than any that has ever
afflicted Russia or Persia.
We plant our feet firmly on the rock Of
individual liberty-the indisputable and
unimpaired right Of every single individ-
ual. be he mighty or be he weak, to work
out his own destiny without the arbitrary
and overbearng interference Of any man
or set Of men.
II is just such conduct as this by the
Railway Union which prompts weak So
ciallsts and ignorant Populsts 10 clamor
for Government control and even owner
ship Of railways. And what would be
the result Of such control In a case like
this! Either the Government would ig-
nore-as II ought to do-the differences
between Free American Citizen Pullman
and the other free American citizens who
WORK for him, or not, as they choose; or
the Government would have 10 Interfere
and fix the wages OF the workmen in this
private manufacturing concern, which
would necessarily involve the absorption
by the Government Of that concern, and
eventually and logically all other con-
Germs. We would then have Socialist
or Communist form OF government. and
the most intolerable tyranny conceivable
All this Is involved in the mad and reck-
less cry for Government management,
ef ownership Of railroads and teIegyaphs,