Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-08-05
GOVERNMENT BY INJUNCTION.


We commend the sensi bic action Of
Gallo, as recorded in the Good Book,
to the Hon. John W. Mason. This
gentleman, sitting as special judge Of
the circuit court of Marion county, last
week issued an injunction, upon the
application Of the Monongah and Wat
son coal companies, prohibiting the
agitators and organizers Of the Nine
Workers Union and others from econ
Quoting conspiracy" to induce the
miners of the companies to strike and
cause discontinuance of work in the
mines. Mr.. Mason held that the high
ways shall not be used for assemblages
which tend to obstruct the coal COM
panies in the conduct Of their business,
and that speech shall not be devoted
to the propagation Of a conspiracy to
prevent the companies from continu-
ing their mines in operation.
The strike situation is this: The coal
miners of Pennsylvania, particularly
in the Pittsburg region, some weeks
ago struck for better wages, and in all
fairness it did seem that they should
have gotten what they asked, for they
only made enough money to keep soul
and body together. The miners in
the Wheeling neighborhood also struck,
but those Of the Fairmont region, who
were better paid and were doing very
well, remained at work. When coal
began to get scarce because Of the
strikes in the other sections, orders
began to pile in for Fairmont coal.
Wages were advanced and the men
had all the work they could do. But
the coal they dug prevented a famine
among manufacturers and supplied the
railroads, and the other miners, seeing
that unless the output Of the Fairmont
mines was stopped they would be out
of work indefinitely, centered their
efforts upon their brethren at this point
to induce them to join the strike. Debs,
Mahon, Gompers, Sovereign and other
labor leaders went to Fairmont, and
by public meetings and personal per-
suasion tried to have the miners quit
work. 1t was at this point that the
coal companies induced Special Judge
Mason to issue his remarkable injunc-
ton.
The bill Of rights Of the constitution
of this State guarantees to the people
thereof 1.-The right to assemble in a
peaceable manner, to consult for the
common good, to instruct their repre-
sentatives, or to apply for redress Of
grievances. And it also provides
that "No law abridging freedom Of
speech or Of the press shall be passed.
Special Judge Mason seems to have
mislaid his copy of the constitution.
Governor Atkinson, in commenting
upon the matter, mildly said that the
injunction was "too far-reaching in its
effects" We should think so. This
thing of trying to get people in jail be-
fore they violate any law is becom-
ing too common, and it ought to be
frowned down by public sentiment.
The labor agitators, it seems to US, are
simply exercising their rights as Amer
lean citizens when they try to obtain
for themselves and their fellow-work-
men better wages. Their united efforts
to get an advance are probably not as
much of conspiracy" as the agree
ment Of the operators to reduce wages.
1t is conceded that not one word was
said in any Of the public addresses cal
culated to incite the miners to unlaw-
full acts. On the contrary, the speak
ers all expressly advised the men
against any violence and counseled
them to act quietly and with dignity.
Their advice was needed, too.
1t seems to US that Judge Mason's
injunction is reprehensible and ride
ulous stretching of the law in an at
tempt to bulldoze the miners. At
Fairmont it is evidently regarded with
contempt, for the miners and labor
leaders disregard it with IMMUNITY and
continue the policy it seeks to destroy.
1t is upheld by few of the operators
who are interested in suppressing the
strike, but it is condemned by fair
minded men pretty generally.
AS We have intimated above, gov
eminent by injunction is growing
evil that ought to berepressed by pub
lie sentiment. We would like to see
some Judge who will, like Gallo, when
approached by prejudiced or self-seek-
ing men with only words to complain
Of, drive them from the judgment seat.
How's This!