Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-08-10

tOEect. otTIhtTS nave rights unOeT the
law-even rights the exercise of which
may cause mine owners Inconvenience,
perhaps unreasonable loss. The strik-
ers have so far maintained exemplary
behavior. They have kept the peace.
The present widespread trouble among
bodies of poor, uneducated and largely
foreign-born workers has resulted in
fewer brawls and appeals to violence
than are commonly to be expected at a
country fair. The orderly conduct Of
these anen. whose antecedents make
them peculiarly susceptible to tempta-
ton to disorder, has been one of the
most remarkable features of this
miners struggle. 1t is the height Of
unwisdom for anybody so to enforce
the law in their case as to. give them
reasonable ground to feel that they
have no rights anyhow and that they
might as well engage in riot as IN
peaceful agitation.
That feeling, we fear, is likely to be
aroused by the injunction granted by
Judge jackson in West Virginia. 1t
not only forbids Eugene v. Debs from
molesting the property OF the Monon-
gah Coal Company. but Also to APP
proach the mines to askaits employees
to Join in the, strike. 1t enjoins him
from interfering in any manner what
ever. either, by word or deed, IN the
scofnpany's affairs. Doubtless Judge
Jackson feared a riot and sincerely
Thought this was the best way to pre-
vent one. We fear, however, that, even
If he has the right to issue such an in
junction, he Is making for riot rather
than against it. As to the right itself,
we think a iayman may be excused if
he questions it. AS Debs says, this in
junction restraints him, from walking in
any OF the public highways leading to
the mines. We have not. as our read
ers are, aware. high opinion
Of pebs; but we think thai
his view Is correct in this case.
A man has right to ask another to stop
work; he has a right to speak in public
subject to the ordinary police power of
sstopping disorderly meetings. Labor COM
binations and labor 'agitatiOps are not I'M
lawful, and Debs does not appear to have
exceeded the ordinary, rights of every
citizen to discuss public questions In
reasonable manner, to ask the miners to
aid their fellows in other regions by
ceasing work. and he has not failed to-
use his influence to keep them from all
disorder and restrain the strike within
legal lines.
This case is entirely different from that
OF Chicago. Their efforts were being
made to prevent by force the railroads
from doing business, and to induce work
ers to abandon suddenly occupations
which carried with them duties to the
great public and the government, as well
as to the railroad companies. 1t was not
denfe1 that the railroad men might strike
ana that they might be asked 20 strike.
put. It was said that they might not ADAM
qon a semi-public work which they had
voluntarily entered upon under cir
cumstances which endangered the life or
lnterfered with the welfare Of the public.
Inc coal miners have not the same obli-
gations. 1t Is the duty of the courts and
executive officers to compel them to keep
the peace. no matter how just their
grievance or how great their anger, and
pubic opinion will uphold such compul-
sion even to the last extremity. But ii
Is not the business OF any branch of gov
eminent to interfere with any citizen in
the peaceful exercise Of his legal right of
Tree speech and moral suasion to induce
others to an action not unlawful In itself.
AS Governor Atkinson OF West Virginia
justly says: THE bill OF rights Of the
constitution of this state guarantees to
Its people. the right to assemble In al
peaceable manner, to consult for the
common good, to instruct their repre-
sentatives or to apply for redress Of
grievances. and 1t also provides that no
Jaw abridging, freedom OF speech or OF
the press shall ever be passed.