The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-09
THURSDAY. OCTOBER 0. 800,
eTaeusHlnG LAW AND ORDER.

ESTABLISHING LAW AND ORDER.
The Governor OF Pennsylvania has at
last determined to send sufficient troops
70 the strike regions OF that State TO pre-
serve tho peace and to give to every man
che opportunity TO work II he so desires.
uhis act seems to have been inter
preted by some OF the strikers as an
act OF hosulits- to organized LABOR. out
that IL Q strange view to tako OF AZ. Inc
military will not attempt to 1orce Inc
strikers into making contract Win
The nino owners TO resume work; the
coil1sary win not interfere In any way
with the labor unions. nor with any
members OF the labor unions, so long as
these men keep the peace. True, great
eressure mas been brought to bear upon
Nr, Mitchell, and even the President OIL
the United states has appealed TO MN
10 ADVISE the strikers to go back to work.
agut there mas been no suggestion OF
force. There has been much talk o.
Forcing the mine owners to make terms
with the strikers and resume work. ana
the threat has gone even to Inc extent
OF tconiiscating the anthracite mines OF
pennsylvania and operating them under
government supervision. But there has
been no suggestion from any quarter
that the Pennsylvania authorities should
attempt by military or otherwise to force
the strikers into measures Presloent
Roosevelt's appeal TO Mr.. Mitchell was
only an appeal, and was accompanied by
o promise on the part OF the PRESIDENT
that II Mr.. Mitchell would advise ms
men to go back TO work. and they should
take his advice. the President would
order an investigation and use his pest
Offices to see that the miners get fui!
Justice.
The duty OF the Governor Of Pennsyl-
vanla is to preserve the peace and TO see
that the rights OF all persons IN that
State are protected. He has nothing to
do with the disputes between the mine
owners and the strikers, and has no ri.wt
TO ln.eriere IN behalf OF either side II
is MS duty to enforce the laws as they
exist ana The law requires that. every
man shall be protected In his property
rights and especially in his liberty. as
guaranteed under the Constitution.
Inat, as We haze Insisted, is the great
question, and the overshsdowing ques-
ton in this crisis. It was reported to
the Governor that some OF The strikers
had wantonly destroyed property and
had naltreated and abused those who
we're willing to work and the members
Of their Families. 1t was reported to him
that the strikers were unlawfully at
tempting to prevent the mine owners
from operating their mines and the nom
pnion worklnen from working. The.
ahat during the month OF September
there were one hundred and thirty-two
distinct violations OF the law, and the
Governor saw that the time had come
Tor him to act.
Again. the owners Of the mines ha dde
Clared that they would be able to get all
the necessary labor to give the country
4 supply OF coal If their works and their
xorkmen should receive the protection
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Of government
In this view Of the case there was
nothing for the Governor to do but to
call out the military in full force to pre-
vent riot and disorder and restore the
whole section to condition of peace.
AS we said the other day. we can live
rs we'll as other people under such laws
as the people may enact. and while We
shall always resist the enactment OF
such laws as we believe to be unjust or
..ll-adyised when the laws have been put
into the books we shall obey them. But
4until there arc new laws we insist that
the old laws shall be respected and en-
1orced The Governor OF Pennsylvania
seems to nave taken the same view. and
ne should be commended for it by all
classes of our citizens. He is not making
war upon labor unions. but upon law
Iessness, and II is as much to the inter-
est OF members OF labor unions an to
other members Of society that the laws
mail be enforced and that every mars
ugh, shan be protected.
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