The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-09-13

to their susceptible constituents. 1t
is in the power of congress to effect
| all this relief to labor. but not accord
ing to this republican plan. ! Will
point out the democratic plan here
after. Congressional intervention to
secure ''fair returns on capital. tar
wages to labOrers, good management
of railroads - Whence does congress
derive it's power! Where is the grant
in the constitution! 1t is nowhere to
be found; this action is utterly beyond
the scope of the powers or the func-
lions of the federal government. All
powers not granted are reserved. NO
man can point out this grant.
IF CONGRESS NAY INTERVENE
to this extent in the case Of Il railroad.
it may intervene also III the case OF
every machine shop and foundry and
manufacturing establishment IN the |
land. It it may secure fair wages to
laborers-that is. more wages than
employers are willing to give-so it
) may secure, nay, must secure TAR
service to the employers; that ls.more
service, than workmen are wiling 10
!, render 1t is the part OF the duty OF
) any government-is it within the
, limited and delegated powers OF our
, goyernment-to secure "falr returns
for capital investedl' And it it We're
within the legal powers, how shall IL
5 be accomplished By what process
can governments decide what private
l speculations shall be made. and pro-
l vide that all speculations which are
t legal shall be profitable. The courts
:. are open ito adjust controversies, re-
t concile interests and establish justice
: and equity between employers ana
i EMPLOYEES II their process is slow,
: it should be made speedy; II their
/ machinery is cumbrous. 1t shonld be
e made simple. What other tribunals
e are neededl What other functions
t could be performed unless. indeed, 1t
o be intended to deprive both employer
It and employee Of all free agency. and to
l. require them to submit III all things
e the giving employment. and rendering
} service, the rate Of wages.the quantum
it of labor-to the arbitrary dictatlon OF
t: this statutory arbitration. inns
# declaration either means nothing or 1t
st means greatly too much. 1t is either a
is cunningly devised phrase, meaning
ID nothing and intended to deceive the
l. workingmen, or it is a revolution IN
:, our government fraught with the
y, worst evils to the WOrkingmen them
5. selves. Capital and labor the fair
IL and honest adjustment OF profits be-
re tween them! This has been the prob
IL lem of ages-it will be the problem
UNTIL MEN SHALL BECOME PERFECT
or government shall be able to make
o. them to the deeds meet for perfec-
re ton Good government may secure
of their exemption from the legal con.
lis troll Of each other-may enforce their
n. contracts-but it cannot say to capital
Ii You shall employ SO many men ana
lie shall pay them these wages-or t
rs loborers. YOU shall work for this EN-
n ployer and shall work for these
nd wages. .'Sllall | not do what | vii
x with mine own !'-and the labor o
m the one is as much his own as tn
tie money of the Other--and must not d.
tie interfered with more lightly. 1t /
to more his own, for it is his sweat III
I'll blood. his life. Men may work or not
- as they please. Capitalists may EN-
in ploy them or not as they please. TIL
ur wages which shall be given and re
nd cciyed are matter of contract O
lis which both shall agree. and govern
ur ment has done all that it beneficial
mt can. when it secures to all respective
he " this freedom. and when it fairl
en- and fully and speedily enforces Thu
nd contract. The republican candidat
of for governor has made his own con
es mentarv on the platform. He Wonl
ID provide by law that railroad con
m panies should pay a fixed rate {
ub- wages to the employees, 4 fixed rate Q
bv dividend to the capital, and Shout
VS.: divide the residue of the profits be
the tween the stockholders and the labo
tho ers. What rate of wages! What rat
IN of dividend. Who shall decide i
m what rule shall it be ascertained
ess But suppose the railroad is unto
his tunate, and there are no profits; sha
Ict. the wages then be reduced below til
de- rate in order to make a dividend
Dor Capital being invested III an unprofi
has able or unfortunate road. cannot
ate taken out: it must remain. Labo
having no such tie. may turn els
where. Shall it be forced to remain
= Shall it
:. Il BE COMPELLED TO WORK
hat at the diminished wages! If no
hin what possibility is there for fair /
FIVE turn for the capital invested VIII
.rd- would the statutory arbitration
hat in such case If the scheme is
in heneticient. why contine it to railroad
ION: Why not apply it to manufactures.
he husbandrv. to the household Ma
and why not to the law office OF the cane
ysis date himself. and make semi-annual
of division Of the surplus profits wi
this the woman who sweeps it and the bf
for who carries his books to the cou
IN house. No. gentlemen, these are
edv devices to the detrlment OF apo
G of Government may establish police re
uses ulations and sanitory regulations:
lean may provide for safety in the CO
III structlon OF factories and mines.
ton may regulate the employment OF On
fair dren Of tender years, or persons
man, feeble and unSOund mind. 1t may