The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-04-22
public oRDER"To "FAIRpI.aY"
He Expresses his Views Relative to
the Lntc Strike Violence,

/ viz hItNt IOlclCc.
To the Editor OF the Intel!gencer.
S1R:-My communication which YOU
kindly published some days ago did not
express any view as to the justice of the
strike. 1t had two purposes. First. TO
remind certain portion of the strike
sympathizers that so soon rs their SYM
pathy or recklessness or love OF mis-
chief led them to create disorder and
damage property. thev were going too
far 10 be within the right and the law.
And, second, to remind the chief OF no.
lice that 1t Is his sworn duty to prevent
such offences. when possible. ana to
urge him 4; least 10 bring the offenders
to 4 trial at law.
My reason for making those suGges-
items publicly, as fairly stated, was my
interest in the public order and the
good name OF the city. II makes real
| difference 10 me whether live In city
that is well governed and whose people
take pride In It's Improvement, or
whether am to live among people who
do not care for public virtues and whose
only interest in public affairs Is to get
| out of them as much as they can for
! themselves.
The suggestions were addressed 20
the great body OF Wheeling people who
are right-minded and just enough to
believe that persons and property
| should be protected by law. and who, at
ieast On second thought regret both
the public disorder and the weakness OF
the public discipline They were adj
dressed to citizens OF character and in
tell!gence. who have an interest In the
welfare and good name OF the city.
am at a loss to know why the person
signing himself "Tair Play" should
thin!o that amp part of my expressions
was directed toward hImse!f--or herself
or Itself. Certainly | have no desire
to answer anyone with such views OF
the 1roprlety of language and conduct
as that communication betraYs. But
this much ] will say to him, that he need
not hope that any considerable number
of reputable people will give him much
support IN his belief that bl5ckades,
open insults. assaults and riots are Jus
tliiablc. nor that any city government Is
wise and efficient which permits them.
You had better drop thnt idea, Mr..
Fair Play" People whose opinion Is
worth having know better, though they
may dislike to tell you SO, and II they
have encouraged you and your kind to
approve disorder they are secretly
ashamed OF Il. Every time You gather
your little crowd together, In the saloon
or on street corner near where busy
people are doing their days work,
when You draw out Of your pocket that
well-worn communication which YOU
wrote all yourself and got printed in the
paper ana read II 10 thGm--there Will
be some who Will applaud your fine
scorn, your clever llon OF describing
open violence rs "publlc curiosity" and
Your brave way OF covering up dIsn-
grcenble facts with insults-but the
people who care for what Is right ana
honorable will know better. and Will be
ashamed OF Your views. Better drop II,
Mr.. Fair Play" Talk strike ull you
please, but don't talk up disorder. It's
no lLsc To tell you that It Isn't right or
honorable, but It may he Of Use to show
you that 1t isn't popular. Better drop
It. PUBLIC ORDER
Wheeling. April 81.