The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-10-29
The MOrreil-Pershing COntrO-
versy---''SCrip.o

Mr.. Daniel j. MOrrell mas addressed a
long card to the public, through the col
umns of the Cambria Tribune, of the 9th
inst, on the subject of my course in the
Legislature, on the bill prohibiting the
payment oc the wages of labor in store
orders, or scrip Periodically, just before
every election, NJ. Morrell becomes very
much excited about his scrip, SO much SO,
that "Scrip on the brain" rhreatens soon
to carry him off.
For proper understanding of the sub
ject, [ quote the following from the House
proceedings Of Feb Is, 1868.
"Mr. PERSHING, Con leave,) offered
the following resolution, which was twice
read:
'WuEREAs, the Governor, in his late
annual message, has used the following
language: 1T has come to my knowledge
that in some parts of the State a system
exists of paying the wages of workmen
and laborers not in money, but In orders
on storekeepers for merchandise and 9th
er articles. This system, by preventing
all competition, leaves the men to the
uncontrolled discretion Of the storekeep-
ers. 1t is system most unwlse and un
just, aud it affects classes Of useful citizens
who, as they live b. the proceeds of their
daily labor, have not adequate means to
resist it, l have no doubt that most Of
the difficulties which occasionally occur
between employers and their workmen
are due to the prevalence Of this system.
That every man, for tair days labor,
should receive fair days wages, is but
the dictate of common honesty and
whilst it would be most unwise for the
State to interfere at all with the rG/e OF.
wages, it is, in my Judgment, incumbent
on her to protect her laboring population
by requiring that, whatcve( may be the
wages stipulated, they shall be SO paid
that the recipient may purchase nece>sa-
res for himself and his family where they
can be had best and cheapest. do most
earnestly recommend this subject to the
Legislature for prompt and cffectual ac-
ton
Therefore, be it
"ResolUe2, that the Committee on the
Judiciary be instructed to inquire what
legislation IS expedient and practicable to
carry out TIE foregoing recommendation
of the Governor, and report by bill or
otherwise"
This was FIVE weeks after the Governor
had sent in his message. Ii my object
had been to 'Skili the whole matter" as
Mr. Morrell alleges, [ took the wrong
course to accomplish it, The truth is,
the effect of my resolution was to infuse
lie into tho measure, which was appa-
rently sleeping the sleep of death.
Shortly after the reference in the House,
the Hon. Bernard Kelley, Senator from
Schuylkill county, Informed me that he
had day or two before my resolution
passed, introduced bill into the Senate
prohibiting the payment of the wages of
laborers in store orders, and expressed bis
fears that if the House passed one bill
and the Senate another, on the same sub
iect. the result would be disagreement
which would defeat both. II was thought
better, therefore, that Judge Reiley sho'd
press his bill through the Senate and the
House await its action.
Notwithstanding Gov Curtln's recon-
incubation, Senator Rcileys bill was
strongly opposed by a number of the Re
publican Senators, and only passed the
Senate towards the close Of the session, In
April. In the House its chief opponent
was a gentleman largely interested In the
iron business. 1t finally passed that body
without its enemies demanding the yeas
and nays
Mr.. D. J. Morrell, in his card, uses the
following language:
'Shortly after the reference of the mes
SAGE. I saw Dir. Pershing, and he told me
the reason why he had that portion of the
message referred to The Consmittee Of ,0hich
he uas Chairman, was because he consid-
cred it question that could not constitu-
tionally be legislated upon, and that such
must be their report, which would, of
course, kill the whole matter"
Twice, in other parts OF his card, does
Mr.. Morrell state that was Chairman of
the Judiciary Committee; and, in the
extract above, he talicizes that told him
[ was chairman of that committee, as tho
he deemed this matter of great impor
tance. | now pronounce Alr. Morrell's
statement fa}se, in all its parts. TO say
that it was subject that could not be
constitutionally legislatee upon, would be
so absurd that no mar of common sense
would state it, | was not Chairman OF
the Judiciary Committee; never told Mr.
Morren that [ was and as sent him the
Legislative Record daily, charity itself
will not permit me t. believe that this
statement, made three times IN the same