New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-16
GOVERNOR TANNERS COURSE.

1t would be charitable to suppose that Gov
crnor Tanner of Illinois acted in the miners
affair without as careful consideration as he
should have given to the subject IT is likely
TO cause him some legal and other embarrass-
nlent. because in supporting the cause OF the
striking miners with the power OF the state
government he seems to have forgotten what
rights belong TO railroad companies, to the
owners OF mines and TO citizens OF the United
States who wish to remove from other States
in order to find employment In Illinois. 1t may
he conceded that he supposed he was act
ing within the law and on the side Of humanity
and justice. Men Of impetuous nature some
times make mistakes when they suppose that
the cause that cnlists their sympathy is the
only one having rights which they are bound to
respect.
The reports from Illinois may do the Govern
or injustice to some extent. and 1t Is possible
that some subordinates have gone beyond the
true intent OF his orders. II is scarcely con-
ccivable that the Governor really supposes that
he has authority TO prohibit railroad from
transporting citizens Of the United States who
wish to enter Illinois for the purpose Of finding
employment. TO his mind ii may he shocking
that an Illinois miner should be obliged to COM
pete with miner from any other State but
railroad company may fairly ask what pro-
vision in the constitution or laws of Illinois gives
him the power to say what persons or property
the railway shall transport in the discharge OF
It's duty as n common carrier. II he has actu-
ally denied to any railroad the free exercise OF
its rights in that respect he may have damages
10 pay.
The right of n Governor TO decide what wages
shall be paid by the owner Of a mine or manu-
featuring company or farm Is not clearly stated
in the constitution or laws Of Illinois. I'm
doubtedly he has the right. which every pri-
vate citizen has. to form his own opinion re-
garding the suff1ciency of the wages paid by an
employer. and also 10 express that opinion.
But in his capacity as Governor 1t does not ap-
pear that he is in the least degree empowered TO
deprive any employer of his right TO hire labor
freely ut such wages as the labOrer may be
willing to accept If he has done this through
the exercise of his authority as Governor IT is
possible that the courts may consider that ms
Governor he had no such authority and may
require him TO pay damages
The worst phase Of Governor Tanners action,
If not msrepresented by press reports. Is that
he seems ready to uphold lawless violence by
residents of Illinois In resisting the entry OF
citizens from other States In order to find en-
ployment. The right Of citizen of the United
States TO move from one State to another in
search of employment Is one which was denied
in the days Of slavery. but one would not have
imagined that Governor Tanner would he the
man to re-estabsh servItudc. If he reflects, he
will not claim that a black skin deprives man
Of his right as free laborer. Neither Will he
claim that tine laws Of Illinois disqualfy a man
for employment in that State because he has
been convicted and punished for some offence
against "the black laws" in another State
Whether any of the miners brought into Illinois
had ever been convicts does not appear. but il
they were convicts the Governor had not on
that account the right to exclude them. They
are supposed to be free in these days, and II
that means anything 1t means that labor or
ganizatiOn in Illinois has not the right to de-
prlve them Of opportunity to work at such
wages as they are willing to accept nor to
shoot them down If they enter the State for that
purpose When the Governor decides that their
coming with intent to exercise their rights as
free laborers is melting a riot in Illinois he
takes position which no other Governor Of an
American State has yet taken.