Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-10-10
POLITICAL CHICANERY.

1t is discreditable to both po-
litical parties in Pennsylvania.
contemplate in Gov. Stone and
humiliating to her patriotic peo.
ple that selfish craftsmanship and
political intrigue have not only
prevented a settlement OF the
,uiners' strike but have intensi~
fed its conditions.
1t has long been apparent that
the main contention is the rec
ognition by the operators OF the
Miners Union. So soon as-1t
became plainly probable that the
mines could be operated by non
union miners, but for the lawless
violence of the strikers which
the civil authorities could not
quell, the governor should have
put force Of troops in the field
adequate to protect life and
property and enforce obedience
to the laws. The state at an
enormous expense maintains a
finely equipped, we'll disciplined
and most efficiently organized
National Guard of above o,ooo
men. Not one-third of this force
was placed on duty. Until fore
ed by public sentiment and the
critical conditions which have
arisen he did not call out an ade-
quate force to give protection to
the men desiring to work. In
vain the operators declare that If
their men were protected they
could and would operate their
works. Governor Stone chose to
play small politics. He wishes
to succeed Senator Penrose. Sen
ator Quay is believed to be op-
posed to Stones ambition and
the legislative nominations
throughout the state do not favor
the governors ambitious scheme.
Out of spirit of petty revenge
he has been doing all he may
dare to discredit the republican
party in the state. Naturally
enough the opposition party
sees possible advantage to itself
in intensifyiug and proloAging
the struggle.
The mine operators have offer
ed all they reasonably should.
They will deal directly with any
of their men claiming grew
ance, and falling to adjust it will
submit to the arbitration of the
court of common pleas for the
district in which the mine is To-
Gated. Nothing can be fairer
and more practicable than this,
but since it dues not recognize
the Miners Union the labor
leaders refuse to accept it.
Intriguing politicians encour-
age them to hold out. The ig-
norant miners are not susceptible
to moral force not plainly backed
by compelling physical force.
The exercise of this would be for
their good, but the party bosses
are not considering the welfare
of the operators, the miners nor
the people.
This is the problem as present
ed to the consideration of the
President. 1t is an ugly, intri-
cate and delicate situation. There
is not now the shadow of just
sontention remaining. The
public welfare is now the para
mount consideration. Already
shivering thousands appeal for a
speedy settlement and resutnp-
ton of work. Public sentiment
has compelled Gov. Stone to act.
The state will now force obedi-
ence to the laws and restore Or
der, or failing in this the strong
er hand of the United States will
be laid upon the lawless.
Possibly it was this which ia
duced Gov. Stone to put the en-
tire force of state troops in the
field.
In day or so we shall know
if the mines can be operated.
We believe they can and will be,
and that it will be long before
another strike is entered upon.