The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-29
M'KEESPORT ANARCHIST.
Mayor Who Is False to the Trust Inn
posed by His once.

Brooklyn Eagle.
The mayor of McKeesport, Pa is not like
the mayor Of Wellsville, O.. The latter Of
fetal announced on Tuesday that he would
not permit the striking steel workers 10
interfere with The men who came TO town
TO take their places. He is not carrying
out his purpose as well as could be de-
sired, as a mob Of about one hundred strik-
ers forced five new men TO leave town on
Wednesday. But he has the right idea of
the duties of his office. The mayor of Nc
Keesport. however. has announced that he
will not permit %nonunion workmen to enter
the town; neither will he allow the police
to protect the property of the steel COM
pany, nor will he permit deputy sheriffs
to enter the town until he is convinced that
the police are powerless TO preserve order.
He says that he will arrest all iron work.
ers from out OF town and give to them the
choice of going away again or of being
confined in the workhOuse. He declares
that he has no sympathy with either side
IN the strike, but that he proposes 10 pre-
serve order by keeping out the meters to
disorder.
We need not quarrel with his motives.
But TO say the least. he ought to have a
little broader knowledge of the rights of
the people. He has no authority in law 10
arrest orderly citizens entering the town.
lie Is false TO his oath OF office if he fails
To protect the property of the steel COM
pany when il is threatened by a mob and
he, is interfering with the freedom which
belongs 10 every man when he says that
no one may take the place OF the strikers in
the mills. his duty is 10 preserve order
and 10 protect all reputable business and
laOOrlng men In the town. He may ad-
wise the steel company TO refrain from
bringing nOnuniOn men into town on the
ground that the attempt 10 start the mills
at this time would make his task Of pre-
serving order difficult. But If the steel
company wants to start its plant and can
find men willing TO work for ii. his duty
i TO use all the power which he possesses
and all the power Of the State, which Will
be exercised on his request. for protecting
II IN its rights TO do business. That is what
government Is for. namely, to protect life
and property. The exercise of police pow
er is the primary function or government,
the power which protects the individual if
his right TO life and IN his right To work.
else OF this power we have anarchy
ana no. government. The mayor Of Nc
Heesport Is an Anarchist so far as he
snrrehuerS the controi OF the town
to the strikers and refrains from protecting
people against whom the hostility OF the
strikers is directed. But this official is not
the first one who has taken such an inde-
feasible position. When there was a min
ms strike IN Illinois and an attempt was
made 20 get miners from other parts OF the
country the late Governor Tanner said that
he would meet the foreign miners at the
borders OF the State with the militia and
drive them back II they 10 enter.
that the people did not approve govern
ment .Of this kind. They know where il
tended and did not want 10 go in that d.
rection. II the steel company in Mckees-
port really wants 10 operate its mill the
mayor VIII ind out pretty soon that he has
taken a position which he cannot maintain,
for IN spite OF all political faults OF the
Pennsylvania government IL has "A record
or a reasonably impartial enforcement or
the IaNs ana u Wholesome determination
70 preserve order. even when strikers are
the offenders.