Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-31
Sound Views.
virginia Enterprise, Republican,

virginia Enterprise Repubncan)
Referring to the disturbance in the
coal-nelds Of Southwest Virginia and the
steps that have been taken in ordering
several companies Of the Volunteer force Of
the State to the scene OF contention, Gov
ernor O'Ferrall is reported in the Rich
mond State as saying:
Governor OFerrall said this afternoon
in talking over the matter that he had
sent a large force TO Graham, for the
reason the presence OF a small force
would tend 10 incite rather than TO pre-
vent trouble. MY position Is this said
the Governor, with great earnestness, Il
deny to no man or set OF men the right
10 quit work. If they want to; but l do
contend that a man who has a job and
wants TO work has an equal right to con
tinue and no man has the right 10 pre-
vent him. The POcahontas miners are
at work and are satisfied with their job.
But the miners from West Virginia are
on a strike and are trying to induce the
PocahOntas men TO join them. II persua-
sion fail they will probably attempt by
force 10 make the POcahOntas men quit
work. and that { am determined they
shall not do. They may also attempt to
destroy property in this State, and that
am determined they shall not DO II | can
prevent H. | have, therefore, assem-
bled an armed force near the scene 10
protect the Virginia miners In their right
to work II they want to- and 10 protect
property in this State from depredation.'
Whether viewed from a humane. So
cial. financial, political. or military stand
point, the position OF the Governor Is
right 1t IS the application Of the old
truism that an ounce OF prevention Is
better than a pound Of cure" IL Is an
nouncing that a condition Of order and
safety is better than one OF disorder. law
lessness. and anarchy. attended by pos
sble blOodshed Generally speaking.
the government has treated strikes and the
violence incident 10 them with too much
leniency. Instead OF laying on them In
their incipiency a soft hand. and appeal
ing 10 reason and right and good citizen
snip, the iron hand Of the military ought
10 be stretched forth. and the power OF
the law and constituted authority felt
II this were known 10 be the treatment
that would be administered 10 those who,
20 carry their point. resort 20 lawlessness
and violence, strikes would simmer down
20 men quitting work when they became
dissatisfied and others taking their places
who were willing To work on the condi-
tions that the strikers refused. The vio-
lcnce apprehended was at Pocahontas
mines where the miners were satisfied
with the price and the treatment received,
while the strikers at other points de-
sired to compel them to join
them and come out either by
persuasion or force. IL was 10 protect
these contented miners. as well as the
property OF the railroad corporation
which was threatened, that a strong mill
tary force was ordered to the locality
whore the disturbance was manifest.
This is. presumably al least, country
OF law, where property. individual rights.
and life are under the protection OF the
State. II is a guarantee OF citizenship
the contract Of the State with the citi-
zen who obeys the law. and of the very
highest dignity. The official entrusted
with authority who does not see that
this contract IS respected and it's immu-
mites enjoyed fails in his duty and Is
not worthy Of public confidence or re-
spect.
In the course he has adopted in this
instance Governor OFerrall will be sus-
tained by the law-abiding people OF the
State irrespective OF party. and be up
held In doing an unpleasant duty even
II il should unfortunately result In blood
shed. which a formidable military force on
the ground is well calculated TO prevent.
The mob ought 10 be suppressed at any
cost. II there Is q grievance. and il can
not be adjusted peaceably by the parties
directly interested, then II Is the privilege
OF the aggrieved 10 quit and 90 where
he can escape from what he may deem
injustice But this does not carry with
II the right 10 interfere with others. who
may not view il In that light, and who
are willing TO accept the conditions re-
uOuueed