Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-09-22
tain a pl-co hiSnsr than any yet
reached.



Tbs ClesYand street car ctrike has
given the fnvcott prominent place in
public disgM sion. And discussion OF
the boycott Srings up the blacklist. The
relation bsrween the two is forcefully
pointed OFT by Governor Thomas OF
Colorado in a recent message accom-
panying his veto of bill to repeal a
law forbidding boycotting. The law
in question forbids both the blacklist
and the boycott, but measure passed
the legislature repeating the prohibit
ton on boycotting. Governor Thorn
as says, in part: THE boycott and
boycott and blacklist are slightly diff
ferent means of accomplishing the
same result Each is a method Of CO.
ercion and punishment. Both are based
on previous agreement and depend for
their success upon concert Of action
by those interested. The blacklist is
a weapon which does it's work silently
and insidiousiy. 1t is employed by the
few and the powerful against the many
and the weak. The boycott is an agen-
cy which may be secret or open; gen.
orally the latter. 1t is usually en-
ployed by the many against the few,
and attracts attention because its oper-
alton is nearly always unconcealed. 1t
is also utilized by the lovers of the
blacklist, and sometimes most effec-
tually. The blacklist is the safer prac-
tice, because it is the assassin's weap-
on, and operates as the poison does.
The boycott is less attractive, because
1t Is not hidden. 1t is akin to physi-
cal violence, and frequently becomes
that. Each is obnoxious to sound
morality and to common law. They
are weapons which the interests of So
ciety forbid the use of, and their ends
are identical-the punishment of CON-
panies and individuals by citizens, who
thereby interfere with the ordinary
course Of justice. The citizens should
resort to neither; but to the law. Il
that is disregarded or unfairly admin
istered, the remedy is with the people
at the ballot box. The most seriou
fact urged in behalf Of this bill is tina
some of the great companies in tn.
state disregard and violate the black.
list section with impunity, while labo.
organizations are held to strict 40
countability under the law. This il
said to result from the difficulty Of de
tecting the one and concealing the op
GRAFTON of the other. There is, uafor
tunately, too much truth in this state
ment. Those who cry loudest agains
lawlessness and anarchy are frequently
unmindful Of their civic duties and tn,
mandates of legislation. The power
full syndicate, entrenched in power ant
authority, overrides prohibitions and
penalties, snaps it's fingers in the faces
OF the people and sets at naught the
limitations of statutes and constitu-
tions. Labor is initiative. 1t cannot
understand why obligations should be
unequal or retaliation should not be
fair. Its mistakes and it's offenses
nave uceu cOpleu lTOIH lHe cOnuuct OF
those above it, and it is not surprising
that it sometimes seeks to better the
instruction. If, therefore, the statute
against blacklisting is held in contempt
and disregarded by those it was meant
to restrain, why should that against
boycotting remain as an obstacle to
retaliation? Those who use the black
list must answer, and unless they shall
comply with laws like these, the time
is coming when the answer must be
exacted. The sublimist maxim of jur-
isprudence is that he who seeks equity
must do equity. The suppliant for re-
lief and protection is denied both when
he in turn denies them to his adversary.
Burke long ago declared justice to be
the great standing policy of society,
and any departure from it under any
circumstances to be no policy at ALL"