New-York tribune., 1902-05-16
GOVERNMENT BY STRIKING.

The latest development of socialist statecraft
seems to be the conduct, or the control and di-
! rcctiOn, of government by striking. \ little
| time ago the plan was tried in Belgium. Men
! wanted universal suffrage or universal equality
of suffrage; wherefore they strOve TO effect a
complete cessation of industry until their de-
mands should be granted In that they were
not successful, nor did they gain encouragement
| for renewal of the attempt. Now the Social
| lists of Sweden are trying the same game
debate upon suffrage bill has begun in the
Parliament, and the Socialists have ordered
universal strike, to last as long as the debate.
This they affect to think will support and pro-
mote tie new suffrage movement What they
will do in case the vote at the end of the debate
is against them is not announced.
These episodes furnish an instructive example
of the illogical and really reactionary nature
of the socialist propaganda Government by
striking is merely reversOn to mob law and
to the rule of brute force. The theory Of mod
ern representative government is that the peo-
pie are to choose their legislators and admin
istrators and then attend to their own indus
tries and commerce while the men they have
chosen conduct the work of government. There
seems TO be little in eleCting representatives
if all the people TO join, town meeting fash
ion. i'm all the work Of government For mob
TO surround the senate House, threatening anu
debating and thus controlling legislation, would
he commonly recognized intolerable. But
it is little different for the people TO stop all
business industry and commerce as means Of
coercing their legislators.
II is not thus that the best governmental re-
suits are TO he obtained. Parliamentary de
bates are not always profitable. They would
be far more Improbable. and far more disturb
ing and disastrous. If they were accompanied
with industrial strikes. Under such n system
business would suffer chronic paralysis, fac
tonal feuds among the people would he intensi-
fed and the worst features of political rivalry
and animosity would be carried into all depart
ments and activities of life. Moreover, the
whole electoral and governmental system would
be discredited. Confidence brings dignity. II
legislators are made 10 feel that they are not
trusted and that the people propose 10 dictate
laws over their heads, they will feel themselves
discredted and Inundated. and the reflex effect
upon the electors will he that they will con
ceive a certain contempt not only for the law
makers, but for the laws we'll
What is needed IS not a continuous town meet
ing meddling with governmental business. but
a higher degree of circumspection I'm choosing
men for public office If people would pay one
half as much attention to the selection OF the
best men for office that they now pay 30 trying
to control and direct the unfit men whom they
carelessly elect they would get far better ser
vice The election of members Of n representa-
tive government is the peoples work. 1t is
not the part of wisdom TO slight work and
then to rail at it because II is not done well.
The true course is 10 do the work we'll the
outset.