The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1895-02-01
The Strike.

Strikes are becoming mere frequent aud
moro violent as the masses become more rest
less and the line between !.So- and c,piial
becomes more distinct. The strike is n socisl
dstemper which the modern economist and
statesman has TO diagnose without the al of
books, tho finger Of history, or the lamp Of
experience On the diagnosis aud the remedy
the life Of our country depends. The disposi-
ton to 90 on lawful strike results from n
desire which is common TO oil Of US al Ike,
namely TO get the very most fer our services.
A strike is defined TO be the organized act OF
workman when they leave their work with
the object Of compelling their employers to
concede certain demands made by themselves.
Ouly in the last few years whom labor has
been throughly organized, and when the diff
ferent orders number cir members by the
thousands, have the laborers been able to
make any impression on capital by strike.
Our first great strike was the railroad strike
ir 1874, when a good deal Of damage was
done to property in the city of Pittsburg and
elsewhere. That strike was accompanied by
a good deal oflswlessness 1t was something
new and untried aud the laborers did not
know how 10 control themselves. But it did
ono thing. 1t showed the power of organized
labor. 1t showed that there might be such a
thing as lawful strike. Since that time
strikes have been growing moro and more
frequent until now almost every week we
hear Of q strike somewhere. Yet while they
are becoming moro frequent and more vio-
lent, one thing is noticeable, they are con-
Quoted in a much moro orderly manner than
formerly. The strikers have their presidents
or leaders, their committees, secretaries and
etc; they cummit fewer breaches Of the peace,
and are getting so courageous that they are
almost willing TO come out boldly and make
fair fight of it. This has been done in several
instances, but most Of the great strikes are
still accompanied by good deal of lawle.-
ness, although tho leaders advise against it
The last, one Of the mo.t violent, aud per-
haps the most significant strike we have ev-
sr had is the one now in progress in the ci-
ty of Brooklyn-.ho strike OF the trolley la
borers, motormen aud conductors. The strike
has been goin 6 on for two woeks, and no
settlement is in sight yet. Travel on the
trolley cars has been almost completely stop.
ped for several days, ami what cars were
run, were run under the protection of special
police. The MALTA 1000 strong ha, bean
on duty for some time, large force Of extra
poll ce has been necessary, and mercantile
business has heen practically suspended,
some large houses having actually dis
charged all clerks until the strike is settled
two men have been killed, and over hun
dred wounded. The cos: oc Tic strike 10
the city of Brooklyn and its citizens will un.
doubtedly figure up in the millions. Even
the items which may estimated with reason
able accuracy a, summed up by The World,
amount to nearly 100000.
This strike is more significant from tho
fact that it has occurred in Brooklyn, one of
our older and more conversativs cities. in the
very heart of the typical American civiliza-
ton, and is not strike Of Bohemiaus or
Poles and those fit only to heavs coal or WELD
the hammer, but is Il strike Of the tettor
class OF wage earnsrs. Our situation is Sc
rious. This particular stike wilt uudoubted-
ly be settled. but how about the next and
the next as they grow more and more vio-
lent. 1t is subject worthy Of the most care
ful and painstakiug study of our statesmen.
1t is problem that cannot be brushed aside
We must solve it and settle it or we perish.