Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-09-30
COAL STRIKE OF 1902.
The Democratic Attack on Roosevelt
Because OF His Action.


Eagerly searching for grounds upon
which to base their charge that Presi-
dent Roosevelt has encroached upon the
limits Of his duties as set by the Con-
etitution, 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 winter, and with the supply Of
coal shut off by an apparently irrecon-
cilable conflict between the coal-mine
operators and their employees, aad OF the
means by which the unbearable situa-
ton was brought TO an end. For in our
time events move so rapidly that the
perils, the anxieties, and disorders Of two
years ago are as ancient history. Yet
where the public mind IL brought back
to the trial and stress of the coal strike
period of 1902, there is no lack Of CRATE
ful remembrance of the humane. tact
fui aud courageous action of President
Roosevelt in settling the strike
Gratitude is expensive" remarked
cynical historian Of the Eighteenth Cen
fury. That the leaders of the Democratic
party find 1t SO expensive as to be pro-
hibatory for them is certain. 1t was
the wives and children Of Democrats.
as well as Republicans, who were saved
from the rayages Of freless hearth in
the winter of 1902-1903 There are hun
dreds of thousands of Democrats who
will remember that, and who do not find
gratitude expensive" The miners of
Pennsylvania, who received the boon
OF the hardest labor--and they crayed it
through the efforts of President Roose-
welt and his commissioners, remember.
and there IS not remote chance that
they, nor many thousands OF other citi-
zens all over the country, will consider
gratitude too expensive for them to in
dnlge 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 was well under way aud there was
apprehension that 1t would be maintained
uhtii the heavy frosts came and perhaps
long after. President Roosevelt received
many appeals from all parts OF the country
that he offer his good Offices as an lndivid-
ual to quiet this trouble These appeals
came daily, and were of such impressive
wording, some plaintiye. almost piteous
many expressing the serious apprehension
OF tne people, that the President felt he
could not be unmindful of them. He there
Tore summoned TO conference In 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
yolyed no little political risk. He foresaw
much OF the conservative opinion OF the
country would seriously question the wis
dom, propriety or iawfulness Of the STEP
yet 1t seemed to him that he might say
both to 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
whole country might be brought to an
end"
With little encouragement from the
quidnuncs, President Roosevelt took upon
himself. as an individual, the difficult
luSh VI htaiiuS u NOuHu NnlIn Sttneu
hopeless in its ugly depth and envenom-
ed irritation. The result is known to
the world. The nation hailed the set
Element of the strike with joy. Theodore
Roosevelt had done the first duty Of
the first citizen of a republic, and with
out any remote fraction of violation
of the constitutional duties or rights of
any other official or body of officials, of
Congress, or any judicial tribunal
Those who call this action an infringe
ment upon the United States Constitu-
ton reveal condition of puerie men,
tally which is fairly ridiculous. 1t is
an attack OF the kind which furnishes
arms TO the opposition.
The supporters of President Roosevelt
welcome the coal strike "reminiscences.
The Constitutional Club must be col
lection of owl-like creatures who can
not see by daylight. May their tribe
increase among the Democratic forces,
They are helpful to the Republicans
so long as they remain ON the other
side of the political fence.