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 ssfair returns Oh capital, fair
wages to laborers, good management
of railroads - Whence does congress
derive it's power! Where is the grant
in the constitution It is nowhere to
be found; this action is utterly beyond
the scope of the powers or the tunc-
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 4 railroad.
it may intervene also in the case OF
every machine shop and foundry and
manufacturing establishment in the
land. II it may secure falr wages TO
laborers is, more wages than
employers are willing to give-so 1t
may secure, nay, must secure fair
service to the employers; that ls.more
service, than workmen are willing to
J render. It is the part OF the duty OF
; any goyernment-is it within the
) limited and delegated powers OF our
goyernment-to secure ''fair returns
for capital invested!' And II 1T were
: within the legal powers, how shall 1t
) be accomplished BY what process
can governments decide what private
l speculations shall be made. and pro-
| vide that all speculations which are
legal shall be profitable. The courts
are open ito adjust controversies, re-
t concile interests and establish justice
, and equity between employers ana
! employees II their process is slow,
: it should be made speedy; it their
t machinery is cumbrous, it shonld be
e made simple. What other tribunals
e are needed! What other functions
t could be performed unless, indeed, 1T
Q 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,a land rendering
J. service, the rate Of wages.the quantum
It of labor-tO the arbitrary dlctatlOn OF
t; this statutory arbitration. inns
# declaration either means nothing or 1t
st means greatly too much. 1t is either q
is cunningly devised phrase, meaning
d nothing and intended to deceive the
l. workingmen, or it is revolution IN
= our government fraught with the
y, worst evils to the workingmen them
S. selves. Capital and labor the falr
IL and honest adjustment Of profits be-
le tween them This has been the prob
n 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 and
lie shall pay them these wages-or tt
rs loborers. you shall work for this EN-
n ployer and shall work for these
nd wages. s'Shall | not do what | vii
X with mine own !'-and the labor o
IN the one is as much his own as TIN
tie money of the other--and must not b.
tie interfered with more lightly. 1t i
to more his own, for it is his sweat. hi
,ul blood. his life. Men may work or not
- as they please. Capitalists may EN-
in ploy them or not, as they please. Th
ur wages which shall be given and re
nd ceiyed are a 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 lv this freedom. and when 1t fairl
en- and fully and speedily enforces thl
nd contract. The republican candidat
of for governor has made his own con
es. mentary on the platform. He woul
ID provide by law that railroad con
m panies- should pay a fixed rate
ub- wages to the employees, fixed rate Q
by dividend to the capital, and Shout
VS.: divide the residue of the profits bt
the tween the stockholders and the labO
tho ers. What rate of wages! What rat
I'M of dividend! Who shall decide! B
m what rule shall it be ascertained
ess But suppose the railroad is unto
his tunate, and there are no profits, sha
lct, the wages then be reduced below tt
de- rate in order to make dividend
Dor CAPITAL being invested in 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
/: it BE coNpELd.Eo ~ "oih
hat at the diminished wages! If no
hin what possibility is there for fair I
Eve turn for the capital invested! VIII
.rd- would the statutory arbitration {
hat in such case. If the scheme is
in beneficient, why contine it to railroad
ION: Why not apply it to manufactures,
be husbandry, 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 b'
for who carries his books to the cou
IN house! No. gentlemen, these are
edy devices to the detriment OF laDo
e of Government may establish ponce re
uses ulatlons and sanltory regulatlolls'
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
nam feeble and unsound mind; 1t may