The Washington times., 1894-07-11
TALK ON THE GREAT STRIKE
Senator Peffer Alone in Uph0lding the
Position of the N0rkingmen.
DAVIS AND GORDON IN REPLY
Senator Daniels Resolution to Commend the
Presidents Course in Calling Out Federal
Troops to Put Down Disorder Went Over
on Senator Gallinger's Objection.

Three notable speeches were delivered on
the strike situation yesterday-one by Senator
Davis, another by Senator Gordon, and the
third by Senator PETER. The debate was oc-
casioned by Senator Peffer's resolution. 1t
related to the government control Of railways
trine.
He urged Senators to listen to what he had
to say. 'I am not prophet nor the SON oil q
prophet, he continued, NOR am an alarm
ist, but 1 have often called attention to what
seems to me to be apparent-the public dan
ger.
IAN my propositions related to one funda-
mental error which the country had fallen
into-the danger Of allowing few men here
| and few men there to usurp governmental
functions. All public functions should be
exercised by government officers"
Senator PETER then referred to President
Debs as man Of whom the country had
heard great deal lateiy, but of whom 1t was
likely to hear very much more before long.
When the Pullman Company established
what the people Of the world believed to be
an ideal community in which all should have
equal rights and none special privileges, con-
tinued the Kansas Senator, every one COM
mended it for its philanthropy.
Senator PETER then criticised some Of the
friends of labor, and made severe attack on
the Senate, saying that the people in many
sections had a growing feeling against WASH
ington. and would like to abolish the Senate
and House. He then attacked a number of
clergymen impersonally, with the exception
OF DR.. Hamln. of this city. whom he accused
severely for his utterances on the labor
trouble.
Senator Davis. Of Minnesota, the author OF
the famous Telegram to the Duluth branch OF
the A. r. IT,, arose as soon as Senator Peffer
sat down.
II have listened to the remarks of the Sem
ator from Kansas" he said. with amaze
ment and pain. 1 had supposed that by
common consent 1t had appeared to be the
best course in these troublous times not to in
flame the situation by speeches on either
side. / am amazed to hea- the trumpet Of
sedition blown in this chamber to marshal
hosts Of misrule to further devastation. This
question does not concern the question at
issue between the Pullman company and its
empioyes-it has got beyond that; 1t does
not concern the American Railway Union-it
has got beyond that; it does not concern any
strike which may have occurred-it has got
far beyond that.
"a simple strike grows into another strike Of
far more comprehensive proportions; that
grew into a boycott, which is grasping the
American people by the throat; that grew
into riot, and the riot into an insurrection,
which confronts the people with a latent revo-
lution.''
Referring to President Debs, OF the A. R.
u, he said:
loosed agencies which he cannot chain, and
set TO work destructive forces which he can
not recall, and it is notorious that these vio-
lent actions have called from the caves and
dens of Chicago the utterly vicious, the vilest
criminals, the anarchists-everybody who is
conspiring TO put down civilization by destroy
ing property and taking life.
Senator Gordon, of Georgia. next arose.
He. too, criticised Senator Pefrer's remarks
very severely. After few remarks the
necessitv of standing shoulder to shoulder IN
the fight, he said in closing: 81 stand here,
not as southern man. but as an American
citizen. and / wish my voice could range
through the heart OF every lawbreaker on the
continent. when they say that the men who
wore the gray from '61 TO 60 and confronted
the Stars and Stripes will be found side by
side with the men who wore the other uni
form, following that flag in upholding the
dignity of the country over which it floats.
Applause
Il regret the bloodshed in this strike, but
want to say, as an honest man. that the blood
which has been shed or will be she'd be it ar
ocean. is nothing to the price OF this repub-
lie and its value. and the sons of the men who
made it will save it, whatever may be the
COST
This speech evoked prolonged and enthu-
siastic applause.
Senator Daniel, of Virginia, offered sub
stitute for the resolution OF Senator PETER, jn-
dorsing the action of the President declaring
that the United States had the power to en-
force the laws respecting mail routes and in
terstaie commerce, and that to put down riot
and acts of treason the President should have
col troll of the militia of the United States.
Senator Daniel spoke briefly in the same line
as that of Senators Davis and Gordon.
Senator Gallinger asked to have the resolu-
ton 90 over as it was somewhat lengthy and
he had not read it. The post office bill was
then called up and the great debate on the
strike was ended.