New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-23
oUT1AWRY BY LABOR UNION DECREE.

The effort TO put non-union workmen outside
tho male of civilization is by no means new.
Fvervwhere that trades unions go beyond 1he
law in attempts to enforce their rules on EN-
Movers or rival employees they seek, on one
nretext or another, TO make government their
mariner and DENY their enemies the equal right
with themselves TO its protection Riotous strik-
ersshave long been in the habit Of protesting
whenever the police or militia are called on 10
insure the orderly operation Of some Industry
free from their interference, but the latest
movement in this direction which is reported
from Chicago Is at once startling ana liiuminat
ing in its character 1t is one thing In the
midst of a controversy TO chafe at restraint
and quite a different thing deliberately ana
calmly to seek to deprive possible antagonist
of his claims to the laws protection. Yet this
latter course is the one the Federation of Labor
is taking In Chicago. 1t proposes to ask the
Aldermen TO make an ordinance restraining the
Police Department from affOrding protection TO
non-unjon workmen who have taken the places
Of union strikers on buildings. And 1t Is said
to be by no means impossible that the Aldermen
NAV accede TO the demand.
This Is labor unionism run mad. If the labor
ers of this country are satisfied that their unions
are beneficial. and desire TO preserve ana
strengthen them and commend them to public
favor. they will be wise to avoid making them
machines for the promotion OF lawlessness, as
these Chicago agtators are doing. Ihis propo-
sition to the Aldermen is a bald and bold strike
at the fundamentals of government. All the
Talk against injunctions was, Of course, at DOT
tom due to a desire for license. 1T was rest
lessness under law, but injunctions and con-
tempt proceedings were forms OF law whlch
could be complained OF as abuses OF power
without making so plain TO everybody the mo-
tive But demand that men Of whom the
unions dsapprove shall be outlawed and have
no claim TO the protection of life and limp IN
eyitably suggests n violent and diaDoncal pur-
nose which cannot be concealed by the usual
assurance offered against calling out militia IN
strikes. that the strikers will themselves Keep
order and that they object TO their strike DelhS
regarded even prospectvely as riot. Inc re-
Quest that the police in general be forbidden 10
nrotect the lives Of non-unon workmen Is
seeming avowal of intention to use brute force
| in labor controversies to an extent which even
the most complacent city authorities would not
tolerate as a labor dispute, but would suppress
as murderous violence. unless free hand fol
| disorder was first secured by law.
Much allowance must be made for prejudice
and ignorance on the part Of those who objec
10 government coming between them and those
who are their rivals for work. But 1t woulc
seem ms If the real meaning Of such demands
for freedom to break law and order must finally
| force itself upon them. We hear much or the
| evils Of trusts. but whatever be the evils o.
trusts and however much they may seek Il
| evade laws, where Is there trust more relent
less and contemptuous OF law and equal Tght
than this labor trust that dares to ask that thu
police give over TO assault or murder citizens
whom the labor trust finds In Its way? Their
IS much complaint that great corporations usurl
the functions of government, but is there an.
corporation which so cynically attempts to sa.
who are entitled 10 the protection Of law ant
who are not as this Chicago labor corporation
1t is time for tradesunon men themselves {
think of these things. Are they to look for tn
safety of their lives and property from vioenc
TO the government Of all the people, or to th
labor organization that to-day may include ther
among the elect and tomorrow may make ther
outlaws, whom any man may rob or kill, Will
the police are restrained from interfering? Tha
is a practical question which concerns then
The people of this country wish well TO all thei
reasonable attempts to improve themselves b
combined effort, but If their combinations b.
come a menace 10 law and order It is the
unions and their stake In them which wi
suffer. They should have had enough e.
perence, In spite Of politicians and their fatter
of the labor vote" with the temper Of ii
country In the face Of any large disorder liz
the Debs riots to be quite sure on that point.
THE CAPE DUTCH IN THE WAR.