New-York tribune., 1900-04-18
Duty At TIE CROTON.

A new aspect has been given to the strike at
the Quaker Bridge dam of the Croton River 4
soldier has been murdered in circumstances
pointing almost indubitably to one of the strk-
as the criminal. That is not to say that all
the strikers were privy to or sympathize with
the crime, though if any considerable number
of them disapprOve il the best service they can
possibly do themselves is TO make that fact
known and to aid the authorities in bringing
the assassin to justice. The incident, however,
shows plainly that there is among the strikers
a lawless and violent spirit that will not hest
tate at even the worst crimes 20 attain its ends
or TO wreak its spite. What WIS done to that
guardian Of the peace-the peace of the
ployes we'll as of the employers-indcate
only too plainly what would be the fate of many
an honest workman there if protection were
withdrawn. Evidently there was serious mean
ing in the reported remark of one of the strik-
ers that they would not try to fight the troops.
but would keep quiet long they were
there; the moment, however, the troops were
gone they would deal with ell who had taken
the places of strikers according to the most ap-
proved Malta methods.
That, as we have said. changes the aspect of
the whole case 1t is no more a dispute as to
whether certain men shall get this or that rate
of wages 1t is simply question whether
shall prevail No other question Is worthy of
consideration. 1t must be made possible for an
officer OF the law TO go about his duties with
out being shot down from ambush. 1t must be
made possible for any man who wants to work
and whose work is wanted. at any price
mutually agreed upon by himself and his en-
ploYerS, to do his work in peace and safety.
That Is the duty Of the hour along the Croton
River. and he who disputes ii or who interferes
with il is an enemy of the State. The fulfilment
of that duty may be costly in money 1t has al
ready been costly in human life But there are
cases in which cost is not to be reckoned. This
| is one Of them. The fundamental principles of
! republican government and free industry are
challenged. They must be maintained and vim
! dcated. or we may we'll shut up shop and
| proclaim the Malta and Anarchy.
1t is we'll known that hundreds Of men are
! ready and anxious to go to work in place Of
! the strikers. Nay many Of the strikers are
! ready to do so. having gone on strike against
! their will under cOmpusion of some of their
| dSaffected comrades. In a free country they
ought TO be free 10 do without fear Of viO-
! ence The strikers the leaders of the strike
are free 10 work or not they please. They
! must grant like freedom to others. The dog in
! the manger" game will not work. If they can
get more for their labor elsewhere they should
go thither and get 1t. If they cannot. they have
no business TO demand that the contractors Oh
| the Croton shall pay them more than they can
| get anywhere else. AS n matter of fact, they
! have been getting, the poorest paid of them
! better wages than the average farm laborer in
| this part of the world gets for as hard work
and as long hours as theirs and they hnve been
| getting what would have seemed to them
| princely income in the Old Country. 1t is for
| to w hoy will tal-o II
leave it. whether they will work or be idle.
| whether they will go stay. But in any case
they must grant that same liberty Of choice 10
every other man. And TO protect all men in
such choice is the duty of the officers of the
| law.