Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-08-03
The Labor Plank In the Ohio RePub.
Iican Platform.

The abor Plank In the Ohio RePub.
Iican Platform.
The cry is raised that the resolution in the
Ohio republican platform referring to the
policy that should be adopted by the govern
ment upon the railroad question and the
labor question is a piece of humbug dema-
gogism. 1t is quite natural that this should
he the Criticism, in view of the cheap cam
paign clap trap thathas usually been worked
up by platform committees TO serve a mo-
mentary purpose and be forgotten after
wards. But those mistake the signs OF the
times who do not see that the labor question
and the relation of government TO labor are
issues destined to have national considera-
ton and action; and with the present infini-
tesimal difference between the parties upon
other issues, IL is not at all unlikely that the
party that presents the most practical solu-
ton of the labor problem and of the question
how salutary government control can be ap-
piled to the monster railroad corporations,
will win, not only in Ohio, but in every state
in the Union where railroad interests aud
labor interests come in conflict, or where the
mass of the people have become alarmed by
The gigantic powers and masterful influence
attained by these great companies
Stanley Matthews, the reported author of
the railroad plank in the Ohio republican
platform, (who, has been interviewed by a
correspondent of the New York Triblsne)
thinks that one result OF the great railroad
strike viii be to bring new questions 10 the
front in national politics. Som5 action, he
thinks, will be demanded OF Congress at the
next session TO protect the public against
new and perhaps more dangerous disturb
ances. The railroads are not like other cor
pOrate or private enterprises. They cross
state lines, and their efficient management is
an affair vitality affecting the whole body OF
the people. A blockade in Chicago may be
gilmore importance TO the people of the state
of New York than one within their own
borders. Fortunately, the constitution, in
the articles relating TO post routes and to
commerce between the states, confers upon
Congress ample power TO legislate upon this
question, and there can be little doubt that
the vague movements of the last few years In
that direction will now crystalline into some
thing tangible, under the pressure of public
necessity. IL any measures which may be
adopted, the liberty OF employees TO combine
10 demand such price as they choose
10 set upon their labor must no. be
interferec with; aud the right of the
companies TO 90 Into the labor market
ard get the cheapest service they can
obtain should, of course, be recognized
What the government can do, he says, is to
protect the public against the consequences
VI et44AtS asserting d SUPERVISION over
the roads, and Obliging both parties to all
quarrels about wages TO submit their differ
ences TO a tribunal OF arbitration. The gov
eminent can say 70 the companies and their
men, ''The public interest will not permit
the avenues OF transit 70 be bloc ied while
you are al odds 3ith each other. You must
continue to operate your roads and leave
dispute TO an impartial tribunal provided by
the United States" \ surer method of deal
ing with strikes OF ali Kinds has been in prac-
tice for some time in Great Britain with COM
plete success. The compulsory principle is
perhaps not introduced, because the law was
made TO meet the case OF miners and other
trade union strikes rather than to railroads
There is no country in Europe where strikers
would dare TO blockade railroad for a sim
gle hour. Full Information as TO the English
system Will be obtained In time to present to
Congress.
Senator Matthews thinks that in the d.rac-
ton OF the Government concerning itself
more intimately with great industrial inter-
ests, the Agricultural Department should be
made Bureau OF Industry, Instead of petty
seed distributing concern. 1t should, he
says, take cognizance OF all questions affect
ing labor, and should furnish a medium
through which laboring men could present
their arguments to Congress aud the country
II should, perhaps, embrace such a tribunal
for the settlement of strikes as he suggests
This view OF new field OF usefulness for
the much despised Agricultural Department
Mr. Matthew'S brought forward in his speeches
In the Presidential canvass, and he will, IL is
stated, prepare bill on the subject of rail-
road strikes to Introduce in the Senate at the
opening OF the forthcoming session.
The reports OF the double Russian defeat at
Plevna are doubtless exaggerated. Ii Is
hardly probable that out of 10 900 men they
had "A 90 disabled, but Jet the evidence
seems sufficient TO prove that they have re.
ceived a very decided check in the fighting
before Plevna- The Russians first attacked
this point, which is twenty-five or thirty
miles southwest of Nikopolis, and near the
Nid, ON July -, bat were repulse1 after ten
hours fighting. The defeated army was re-
1nforeed, and, OF July 30, again attacked the
Turkish forces The second engagement
lasted two days, and resulted, acc ordIng 10
Turkish reports, in a Russian loss of 900
killed and 1000 wounded. Tae defeated
forces belong 10 the extreme right OF the
Russian army.
N spite OF the hard times Uncle Sam
.ound himself richer at the end OF the fiscal
year which closed June 3Oth last than he was
al the end OF the previous twelve month. For
The fiscal year which ended June 80, IS76, the
receipts from revenue OF all descriptions
amounted TO slit 81, OsG 81 while the receipts
during the last fiscal year aggregated SIl8-