New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-19
THE MAYOR OF BRIDGEPORT.


After their experience on Sunday the street
railroad managers of Bridgeport were jusuhed
in not making a general attempt to run their
cars YESTERDAY. there being no assurance that
the public authorities would protect employees
or Messengers In the course of the day it was
announced that as the result of a spirited con-
ference at which Mayor Mulyihill heard his
conduct of the day before condemned in plain
terms, he would hereafter refrain from inter-
fering with the operations of the police and the
prospect OF firm and united action TO preserve
order is consequently improved. In justice TO
the Mayor, who was himself a labor leader
when he was elected TO office. it should be said
that he warmly denies having shown sympathy
with the rioters on Sunday; but the fact re-
mains that through bis intervention stone
thrower escaped from the deputy sheriffs who
had caught him, and that he was cheered by
the mob If his motives entitled to the
benefit of the doubt, it cannot be denied that he
showed miserable judgment and pretty clearly
indicated his unfitness to cope with a serious
situation.
1t must be said furthermore. that at yester-
days conference, attended by himself, the Po-
lice Commissioners. the Sheriff and a number
of prominent citizens. the Mayor revealed a
radically false conception of fundamental prin-
cipIes. When frankly accused of having done
more than anybody else TO encourage the riot
ers he retorted that 1.-The Connecticut Railway
land Lighting Company paid no taxes to the
city and got protection than all the
''other concerns in town" That assertion was
fatty contradicted. But suppose 1t were true
What would it have to do with the case? The
police and the Sheriff were attempting to pre-
serve the peace not primarily in the interest oil
the railroad company, but in the name and IN
terest of the whole public. In this instance 1t
is said that there were very few strikers in the
mob and that those who did minge with the
rioters tried to stop their violence. We hope
that this is true. but it is certain that the
Mayors talk about the company displayed the
attitude which strikers habitually take when
the police and. especially. the militia called
out to preserve order. The angry cry is always
heard on such occasions that the men in uni
form are helping the employers of labor 10 win
the contest; but that is never the object of the
authorities The public indignation which VIC
lence produces is commonly injurious to the
strikers, and restoration of order often results
in their defeat But the police and the soldiers
do not seek to accomplish that result. They
have nothing TO do with the original dispute be
tween employers and employed. Their sole
duty is to preserve the peace, and that is duty
which they cannot avoid without treachery and
disgrace.
Labor unions have done too little toward re
moving the confusion of ignorant minds in re-
| epect TO this matter and restraining the pas
sfons of men who are not ignorant, but Wilful.
That is the most conspicuous fault of labor
leaders, and in its effects perhaps the most
mischieyous In public addresses and COM
munications TO the press they may express
sound views and seem to recognize clearly the
harm which violence must sooner or later do
their own cause, but their influence is seldom
exercised with anything like the vigor of their
professions to the public and in the end they
| are usually more prolific of excuses than Of
condemnation. 1t is deplorable that the Mayor
of Bridgeport should have promptly set per-
verse example by irrelevant talk about alleged
| delinquencies on the part of the railroad com
| pany. That is not the question at issue, and
just now il is of trifiing interest to the people
| of Bridgeport. For the moment, the one thing
| which they require and demand is the suppress
| sion of disorder through the application OF what
| ever degree of force the turbulent element may
compel the authorities TO employ.