The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-12-03


l. clusion." There was n time wher
1t would have been in order tc
"argy agin' recognition of the miners
union, but the time has passed. The
union Is now a conclusion--for a time
at least If not for all time. No sensible
man in his heart doubts this Those
who are fighting against recognition
are simply making II technical stand
for something without. substance. The
union is here. Closing eyes to 1t will
| not remove it.
Mr.. Mitchell says that recognition of
the union and full use by the operators
of it's machinery of discipline, which is
open to Improvement. through contract
! agreements would not increase but
| lessen the petty frictions concerning
which the operators most bitterly COM
plain. He also argues that recognition
would put the union on its good be-
havior and bring into play the full
| measure of it's pride to win and hold
public respect. These assertions are
plausible and in conformity with what
we know of human nature.
fight the union and to beat it and they
lost. Success was within their grasp
when they got cold feet and laid down.
They have none but themselves to blame
for this outcome and they must face its
consequences. The durable existence of
the union as q factor hereafter to be
reckoned with is foremost among them
n n Gin fiuI hn
weakened or destroyed it, but on the
contrary has only made expense and
trouble for all concerned, the next thing
to consider seriously is whether it
would not be possible and expedient to
cooperate with the most conservative
influences within the union toward
bringing out Of the union it's better
capabilities.
1t is true that during the past five
months especially, though with varying
intensity for the past three years, we
have had all kinds of devltry and mis-
chief in the anthracite fields. 1t is
futile in John Mitchell to deny this. for
the evidence is Overwhelming. But it
does not necessarily follow that that
u
feature of the unions activities. The
best men in the union deplored it as
much as the men who were fighting the
union and it remains for the best men
on both sides, reinforced by the full
power of the best American public
opinion, to cooperate to bring about a
cessation of these outrages, the ex-
ttr,r ic1, Of t1,i
and the restoration and advancement
of civilization in the anthracite coal
fields.
Human institutions are. all evoll-
tionary. Our splendid republic today
bears but slight resemblance to the
diminutive one of Washington's time,
having grown and strengthened as
needs arose and education developed.
Yet for even that small republic of
Washingtons time men were willing to
lay down their lives. And so it is with
the miners union. 1t is only a germ
compared with what under wise lead
ership and the benefit of friendly public |
and corporation, it may be- |
come. Yet it has proved already that |
II iioiuS llic loyalty OF tne ONefWnellnlnS
proportion of its membership, With
grip which resists forcible separation. |
Out of this loyalty als Il starting point |
what benefits may not evolve provided !
the evils are cut away? II
We say this frankly notwithstanding |
the many criticisms which we have |
printed of eXcesses in the union move
ment--criticisms which we will repeat |
so long as these eNcesses and abuses |
exist. We do not oppose unions, but |
we shall eternally oppose anarchy, law |
lessness and the forcible denial OF fun.
damental American rights. 1t remains |
for the unions to prove that they, too,
share in this opposition and are willing |
to govern their conduct accordingly.