The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-03
LESSON FOR STRIKERS.

As a logical result Of prosperous times,
there are strikes and rumors Of strikes
all over the land When there is a brisk
demand for labor, the workingman is
more Independent and demands more than
he does in times when business is depress-
ed and work is scarce. But we did not
set out with the intention of discussing
the strike question in general. we desire
10 call attention to two most important
deliverances that have. recently been
made. bearing on that subject. One was
by the management of the New York
Central Railroad Company, the other by
a judge.
The strikers on the New York Central
made two demands upon the company
one for an increase of wages, and the
other that the company employ such men
and such men only as the strikers should
nominate. To these demands the superin-
tendent rertlie1:
The New York Central desires to deal
not only justly. but deliberately with its
employees on the subject of wages. With
this object, without any demand, It volun-
tarily, within sixty days, increased the
wages Of many Of the men now out on
strike It is found on Investigation that
the company is now paying higher wages
than some companies. and as high as any
company similarly situated; but, notwith-
standing this situation, the company will
take UP any Question of adjustment of
wages. In reply to the demand that no
one shall! be employed or discharged by
the company except with the consent of
the men who are now out, the position of
the company is: The officers, being re-
sponsible for the safety of the lives of its
passengers and employees, for the protec-
ton OF the public in the operation OF ais
railroad, and for the rapid and continuous
carriage and the business of the COM
pany. cannot. and will not. delegate 10.
Others the selection of the men upon
whose skin and fidelity so much depends.
About the same time Judge Halsey, of
Wilkesbarre, Pa, handed down an opinion
in which he continued the injunction
against the strikers at the Harry e. and
Forty Fort colMeries and the United Mine
Workers organization, restraining them
from interfering with the pump runners,
engineers and others who are working at
the striking collieries. The Judge said:
The defendants have the right to refuse
however, interfere with the personal
wishes of others who desire to work. by
threats. r1enaces or display of force. The
right to work is always personal, and can
not, under the law, be denied TO any per
son VINO 50 desires TO work.
Here are two great American principles
which must be defended and upheld at
ali hazard. Every employer of men has
the right 10 employ whom he pleases and
to reject whom he pleases, and every
employe has Tie right TO work when he
pleases and TO quit work when he
pieases, without being moiested Other
wise, freedom were but name, and in
dividual liberty would be clean gone for
e.er.
III is strange to us that American work
dngnen. who are the very bone and sinew
of The republic. should ever take any.
otnerF view. NofkahsaGen nave II peTiecs
right To strike. and the right of petition
Is guaranteed by the Constitution. But
whenever they trespass upon the rights
| Of others. they have no defence and they
! can never hope, in pursuing such a
course. TO be upheld either by the courts
Of The land or by pubic sentiment and
Sympathy
But this practice IS almost entirely con-
fined 10 the North. southern worldnsinen
rarely resort TO violence to carry their
point.
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Coil, EXPORTS.
Gold goes out from this country to