The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-08-26
THE REBELLION AGAINST SOCIETY.
A simple Remedy Suggested.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir Now that
the "Debs Rebellion" is over and the wheels Of
commerce are again in motion, 1t behooves
every thoughtful citizen TO consider what can
be done TO prevent a recurrence OF such dan
gerous and disastrous tie-ups.
1t is not my purpose at this time to question
the right TO quit work. or the right OF a number
of men to combine to quit work. to enforce their
demands on their employer. This claim has
been conceded so often and 90 generally, that,
whether correct or not, It has passed into an
axiom. The question to be determined IL
whether the position OF an employee Of a COM
mon carrier is In any way different from that of
an employee of a factory.
For a number of years, indeed ever since the
railroad strikes In 1877, 1t has seemed TO me
that the maritime principle should be applied to
the employees of all common carriers.
As is we'll known, all civilized nations have,
from the earliest times, punished with severe
penalties the refusal of a seaman TO perform his
duties 70 the end of tho voyage. The reason for
this Is plain. II is absolutely necessary for the
safety of those on board, the safety of the vessel
and cargo, and the protection OF commerce.
Formerly there was no necessity for applying
this law to transportation on land. The stage
lines and teaming companies covered only short
distances and could be dispensed with without
any serious shock to society. Few, II any, in
lana tltlto cAlStcu which COulu not Do supplied
with food and fuel by the immediate neighbor-
hood. During the last fifty years, however. the
progress OF civilization has developed and built
up our railway system Q hundred times more
important than water transportation. The en-
tire business OF the country Is dependent on IL.
The agricultural, manufacturing. and CONNER
cial interests have been organized and built up
with direct reference TO railroad facilities, and
nine-tenths Of them could not exist without.
Vast regions have been settled where there is no
fuel, except as the railroad brings Il. and large
cities have been built entirely dependent on
them for food, as well as fuel. To this must be
added the necessities OF the ordinary traveller
and also the millions who live in suburban
towns and hnd their employment In the cities.
The nation in its present condition is de-
pendent for its daily life on the railroads. Rec |
pgnizing that they are OF necessity quasi public
institutions, and equitably so on account OF the !
extraordinary powers which have been granted
10 them, We have passed laws TO control rail- |
roads, TO regulate freight and passenger tariffs. |
prevent unjust discrimination, and compel the
companies TO operate the roads for the best in
terests Of the people. Yet, strangely enough,
we have left them, and what is far more i'm
the public, whose servants they are. en-
tirely unprotected, whenever some cOnceited /
agitator, who happens 10 be at the head OF a labor
IL has always been conceded that the chief end
of Government is the safety OF society, the
greatest good 10 the greatest number. Surely
then the powers which Congress has always eI-
ercised in the enforcement OF maritime law. and
which have recently led to the enactment OF the
law. may be properly in-
10 declare that the employees OF a railroad
company Is under contract to perform his du-
ties, and that he can relieve himself from that
only by giving q prescribed notice, say
days, Of his intention 70 quit, and, on the
other hand, that he shall % entitled 10 a like |
notice from the company before being discharged, i
railroad companies. or. rather. the public,
should also he protected from absolute stoppARe
By a provision giving the managers the right To
refuse notice from more than 80 many. say 25
per cent, OF the employees in any one depart
ment IN any one thirty days.
Congress; IN the exercise ot the powers above
should prescribe suitable penalties for the
violation Of these contracts.
The sentimentalist will Insist that such a Law
sould be an enCrOaChment on personal freedom, |
but il is far less 30 than the maritime Laws,
shtch ever body recognizes as necessary and
far less 20, indeed, than many municipal
regulations which all cities mad necessary for
safety.
The prosperity. security, and convenience Of
he people, as a whole. - the lTst thlng 10 be-
and IL l. clearly the duty u tEe gva-
government 20 provide the necessary legis-
alton. As for the employees he Is free Ia seek a
'alroad position OF nOt As suiia lin bssL. but.
laytng eEtered that service, he cannot complain
4 for the sAfsty u s~Oeists be = required 70 tul-
EIEHo0D. 10. AuE. "a