The morning call., 1894-06-30

70 defend the most monstrous attempt at the
usurpation OF power ever sought to be estaonsnea
In any civilized commu lty; When laooF OK ~ cs
fZations arrogate to themselves the rlgn 70 Plsce
the property OF another In jeopardy tney aUsnuou
all civilized conceptions of the rlghts OF ~,
and substitute force tor law anu 'i0i' 49,
Labor has a right and it is its duty to organize
for self protection against oppression anu wrong
II has a right to the legitimate exercise OF the
power growing out of such organization anu tn Q
resultant concert of action. 1t has rlgnt 70 .ne
iegitimate and proper exercise of its power in the
conservation of the rate or wages All tnese ~ ee i
legitimate objects, but the possession Oh pOSrl -
ercISe. 1t is bound by every consluerdtion VI
respect for the rights of individuals and tue
Ii has no right TO make persons having no
power to adjust its differences with other per
sons parties to g controversy IN Whlcn lney
have no part The railways CT the United states
are not parties to the controversy between ulI-
man and his employees ana tue attempt TO aoIto s &c
them TO become parties to such contest, and 20
inflict upon them financial injury because OF their
refusal, is outrage which cannot be too strongly
characterized. Ii oepriVes them OF tnelr I
right to observe the Obligations OF contracts tney
have entered into for transportation OF properly
and of persons It deprIves them OF the Iegltl-
mate revenues of their business, and Is no more
defeEsible nor honorable than wouln DC Ine
action OF him who thrusts an innocent bystander
between himself and his antagonist In mortar
combat.
The Southern Pacific has been criticized be
cause 1t would cut out the cars 1t had entereu
into contract to haul and run It's trains wlGhout
such cars. The criticism VIII be INDUCED In only
Dy lnOSe VINO are lncapaDle u COH1piOhouUi"E
true nature of the issue involved. IL w0 w0nia
be far more reasonable on the part OF pubic
journals md of public sentiment to demand Lnat
1t adopt this policy rather than abandon IT, me
triumph OF the American Railway Union
in this case would be the inauguration OF
new factor in transportation, which wouid put
all transportation in the hands of an ORGANIZATION
for the settlement OF the most petty controversy
between employer and his employees in the
TemoteSt corner of the country. It would permit
the carriage of goods merchandise and the prod
ucts of the country only condition that the re-
lation between every employer In the country
and the labor employed Dy MIN was amicaoie ahu
harmonious. In this aSpectaof the case IL makes
every individual citizen of the country party to
every contest between any employer and his en-
ployes.
The position of the American Railway Union in
this case is contrary to every consideration rest
ing upon good citizenship IL Is admitted Oy every
member that the Southern Pacific Company has
committed no offense against tbs policies, rules
or precedenIs of the organization. 1t is admitted
that the southern Pacific Company holds con-
tractusl relation with the Pullman Car Company
for the movement OF cars over its lines. And yet
it declares that the Southern PACING Company
shall not fulfill its contracts. In this II Is declar-
pute between Eastern car-manufacturer
and his employees the rights and obliga-
tIons growing out of contract shall be dis
regarded, the public shall be inconyenienced,
roads OF the United states snail be susp nded an
persons and corporations in no respect RESPONSE
bic for the controversy, or interested IN any man
ner IN its determination, shall be held unwilling
parties thereto
The moderate use Of power is the only guarSn-
tee OF Its perpetuation. The worst enemy organ
mau who counsels an oppressive use OF tue power
who encourages the preparation of any wrong
upon TIE rights of individuals
Your thOughtful Iteration citizen of the
republic Is respectfully invited e this presenta
ton. Yours very truly, II. L. HUNTINGroN.
san Francisco, June 29. 1894.