The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-01
GOyERNMrNr GOAL MINES

1t Is one Of the great merits Of a
government OF the people and by the
people that they may adopt any amend
ment OF, or make any alteration in, their
method of govern ing themselves which
they may see fit Indeed. the people may
completely revolutionize their form Of
government and may. if they so elect,
pass from republic to a monarchy. limit
ed or absolute. as they may prefer, or
from republic with constitutional linita-
tons to a situation in which,, as in
Israel. when the tribe Of Bel dmi' was
nearly annhllated. Every man did that
which was right in his own eyes" The
modern name for this is anarchy With
us in these United States il is only a
question of the popular will duly ascer-
famed according to the methods hereto
fore agreed upon and set forth in the
compact or agreement known as the
CONSTITUTION" But before any change
can be made the proposed change is
open TO full discussion by the press, on
the hastings and in legislative assemblies.
This freedom Of debate and argument is
the real safety Of the rights of all the
people, which are at last based upon
the good conscience and sense of JUS
tce Of the majority. The fundamental idea
OF democratic government Is that the
people will do what is just and right
when they know the facts of the case.
Now the existing strike of coal miners
throughout the country has produced so
much inconvenience that a paper as able
and thoughtful as the Outlook" for
merly the christian Union," and edited
by the Rev. Lyman Abbott in its last
number says: Meanwhile. In this
miners strike as in the railroad strikes.
the public bids fair TO be the chief suf-
ferer from the war. without, at pres
ent any means of protecting it's interests.
49, The time cannot be far distant when
the people will interfere and determine
such labor controversies as these. even
II II requires assuming a control of the
coal mining industries OF the country"
This assumption by the Government OF
property belonging to individual citizens
is what is called by the advocates Of
such course appropriation" As such
"expropriation" of coal mines would in
volve substantially the whole socialistic
system, II is safe to say il will not
be carried into effect without very
full discussion.
The inconvenience to the public is
caused largely by the prevention by
union laborers of the employment of
non-union men. This prevention has
taken the form of a most violent resis-
lance. so that at present the question
OF appropriation being not under con-
sideration by either the miners, the mine
owners, or the Government, the main
proposition is. shall the mine owners
be permitted TO work their mines as best
they can with unskilled workmen? There
should be but one answer 20 this. A
negative answer would be at once TO
introduce anarchy without the restraints
Of socialism or the compensation Of ex-
preparation.
We regard all these artificial and COM
pick systems as very bad substitutes for
the plain and simple rule OF personal
liberty and the right Of a man TO dis
pose OF his mental and physical abilities
10 the best advantage he can. The atti-
tude OF the miners in Colorado, Ohio.
and Illinois Is not only subversive Of all
law and property rights. but is most
tyrannicai and oppressive. and because
some miners on the Kanawha river are
at work and the operators have market
for their coal with those whom the
Ohio miners would destroy the ohioans
propose TO man and arm steamboat and
20 up the Kanawha river and attack
the ,workmen.
That Is. at least. open and above board.
Whatever form OF government or
rights TO property the people OF America
may ultimately determine 10 be best for
all the people we cannot certainly pre-
diet. but whatever is determined upon
VII most probably give everybody an