New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-25
CHICAGO STRIKE OF 1894.
Er-PreSident CIeUeIand on the DC
ton Taken By His administration.

In the issue of ''McClure's Magazine" for July
an article appears by ex-President Cleveland.
The Government IN the Chicago Strike Of 1894"
In course OF the discussion Of the part taken by
his administration in the labor troubles that
time he writes:
6 NE g last s6 6ays of Ps Te es F ned
Of Chicago Almost in night it grew t to to fui
proportions Of malevolence and danger. Rioting
it spread 50 swiftly that within few days it had
reached nearly the entire Western ana Southwest
ton was especially involved in its attack. The
Interstate commerce was obstructed. and railroad
property was riOtously destroyed.
Strike" It is true that its beginning in that
rated it and directed its operations were located
there; but the name thus given to II is an entire
more or less affected in fyyentv-seTen states and
Territories. and in all these the interposition of
the general government was to a greater or less
The desperate character Of this disturbance was
that while menacng conditions were moving swift
sPred snd supP0ted from That HS Central pont
existed in many other places within the area OF
OF course it was hoped by those charged with
that direct erton Of authority by the marshal
and resort TO the restraining power Of the courts
would prove sufficient for the emergency Not,
withstanding however. an anxious desire to avoid
looked tLat 2 co1tingency might occ1l~ which
would compel a resort 70 military force The key
found in the Determination OF the federal aUthor-
means ali resis+ance 10 lovernmental functions as
related 10 the transportation Of mails. the opera
Of the property OF the United States.
Constitution rsq1Tes that the 9if1 Ss5Ts
ard application of the legislature or q the FIX
against domestic vfoence'' There was plenty Of
sonestlc ynecf IN me n oI % % T !" 1sa. sac
but application was made to the federal gov
fortunate circumstance that the presence of United
states soldiers IN Chicago that time did de-
nend upon the request or desire Of Governor Alt
geld. -. 80. 49,. -. IT,. %
that eca the @ sHSSd IS fh int ru OF
FOR during the few DAYS immediate'y preceding and
localities IN which the strike had spread indicat-
nnr,,oeas ~ the eovernmrr+'s irterference Con-
elusive proof OF the successful assertion Of national
the soldiers Of the United states who had been
ordered for duty ~ ri Tery centre r o. %pnos'tn
returned to the military posts TO which they were
hone have BEEN thus U.s., far rs sucss.sf.l in my
ferizsd the interference Of the goverrrnent the
constant Gesire ~ the national decentralization 70
avoid extreme measures. the careful limt9 tons
within IS constitutional competency ard duty and
the gratifying and lunortant results Of its conser
must rot fan TO mention here as a part Of the
ns{IFT NV 81 The t svsror Of 1noi 10 its
This oa o only rsf hc-aa to reS1Ta ss ST. Toto"s
snrac,ent cause for an application to the federal
government for it's protection against domestic
b,t he Actually protested against the presence OF
federal fronns into the State the general
governments initiative and for the OF
defending itself IN the exercise OF fits well defined
shall conclude the treatment Of nv subject nv
a brief reference to the legal PROCEEDINGS which
grew out Of this disturbance, and finally led TO
an adjudication by the highest court IN land
establishing in absolutely authoritative manner
and for all time the power Of the national govern
ment 10 protect itself IN the exercise OF its func-
Justice Brewer in delivering the unanimous
opinion Of the Supreme Court, stated the
TSvo questions 81 irnnortance arc presented:
First are the relations OF the general government
tbe mails such authorize direct Interference
10 prevent forcible obstruction thereof? Second.
n authority exists-as authority in governmental
affairs irnplies both power and dutv-hss a court
81 equity jurisdiction issue injunction in aid
OF the performance OF such duty?''
Both OF these questions were answered by tho
IN affirmative. and IN the opinion read
nv the learned Justice. the inherent power OF tho
government execute nv mems OF physical force
through Cts oficisl agents on svery foot ~ Amer-
was eunply vindicated by 2 process OF reasoning
sirlpie logical unhamp-red by fancitul distinc-
lions ana absolutely conclusive; and the govern
its aid and all the proceedings thereon, including
the imprisonment OF Debs and his associates
Thus The Supreme Cour OF the United States
has written the concludfol words OF this history
trae,csi In many Of its detIs and in every line
H. concl,,dinE page those nlBs: nearly related nv
executive responsibility to- tbs trouhous days whose
story Is told well congratulate themselves.
the v,ov and clearing rke Path. uncnangeabl
estahiishod which shall hereafter guide nation
safely and surely In the exercise or lis fsnctions
which represent tia peoples trust