Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-09-28
COAL STRIKE OF 1902.
The Democratic Attack on Roosevelt
because of His Action.

BeCnuse OF MS ACTON.
Eagerly searching for grounds upon
which to base their charge that Presi-
dent Roosevelt has encroached upon the
limits of his ties as set by the Com
stitution, the infantile Constitution
Club" OF New York City, has pitched
upon the settlement Of the coal strike,
IN the fall Of 1902, as an instance of
usurpation of authority
Nothing could have been more for
tunate for Mr. Roosevelt than the revival
thus Instituted among the people of the
United States of the memory of the sore
straits in which the whole people stood
TWO years ago in the shadow OF APP
preaching winner, and with the supply of
coal shut off by an apparently irrecon-
ciiable conflict between the coal-mine
operators and their employees, and of the
means by which the unbearable situa-
ton was brought to an end. For in our
time events move 50 rapidly that the
perlls, The anxetieS. and disorders Of two
years ago are as ancient history Yet.
where the public mind is brought back
70 the trial and stress of the coal strike
period of 1902, there is no lack OF CRATE
lul remembrance OF the humane, tact
tul aud courageous action of President
Roosevelt in settling the strike.
"Gratitnde is expensive remarked a
cynical historian Of the Eighteenth Gem
fury. That rhe leaders OF the Democratic
party lind it SO expensive as to he pro-
hibatory for them is certain. 1t was
the wives and children of Democrats.
as we'll as Republicans, who were saved
from the ravages OF a iireless hearth in
rho XFirttp,. Or
dreds of thousands OF Democrats who
VIII remember that. and who do not find
gratitude expensive" The miners of
PENNSYLVANIA. who received the boon
of the hardest abor--and thy craved it
through the efforts Of President Roose-
welt and his commissioners. remember,
and there Is not remote chance thar
they, nor many thousands + other citi-
zens all over the country. viii consider
gratitude too expensive for them to in
dulSe in, and in a practical manner, at
the polls next November
\ recent writer upon the Presidents
action to relieve the distress occasoned
by the coal strike gives the following
account Of the initiation. by Mr.. Roose-
welt, Of his efforts in behalf OF the peo-
pie and the country:
In October 1902. when the anthracite
strike Vas well under way. and there was
apprehension that II would he maintained
Ghill the heavy froStS came and perhaps
long after. President Roosevelt received
many apprals from an parts Of the country
| that he offer his good Offices as an indyid-
tai 70 qt let this trouble. These appeals
came daily. and were Of such impressive
wording, some plaintiye. almost piteous.
many expressing the serious apprehension
Of the people. that the President felt he
could not he unnindful Of them. lie there
TORE summoned TO conference III Wash
ington all of the operators whose mines
were involved and stated TO them at the
beginning of this conference that he wished
them fully to understand that he had no
authority in law or precedent for any ac-
ton in the way of counsel or urgent appeal
he might make. Personally, the President
knew that the task he was undertaking in
VOWED No little political risk. He foTesaw
much Of the conservative opinion of the
country wonid seriously question the wis
| dom, propriety or lawtulness Of the step.
| yet IL seemed to him that he might say
| both 70 the operators and To the labor lead
| ers that he offered his services as mediator
| SO that the contest which so seriously
| threatened the welfare and peace of the
| who'll country might be brought to an
| end
With little encouragement from the
quiInuncs, President Roosevelt took upon
| himself, as an individual, the difficult
1 laNh VI htdilAE q NbuiQ winch SGSiitu
| hopeless in lis ugly depth and envenom-
ed irritation. Tie result is known To
| the world. The nation hailed the set
tiement of the strike with joy. Theodore
| Roosevelt had done the first duty Of
| the first citizen of republic, and with
out any remote fraction of a violation
/ of the constitutional duties or rights OF
any oth official or body of officials, oi
| Congress, or any judicial tribunal.
Those who cali this action an infringe
meut npon the United States Consttu-
don reveal condition of puerile men
tally which is fairly ridiculous. Ii i,
an attack Of the kiad which furnishes
| arms to the opposition.
The supporters of President Roosevelt
welcome the coal strike "reminiscences
The Constitutional Club must be col
! lection of 0w-like creatures who can
not see by daylight. May their tribe
| increase among the Democratic forces
They are helpful To the Republicans
50 long as they remain on the other
side of the political fence,
| INLAY Ic tn mr. lAIEf A nr