National Republican., 1877-08-08
THE ONO PLATFORM.

The Ohio Convention met in the midst of
the popular excitement growing out Of the
strikes, and it was quito natural, therefore,
that both the platform and the utterances
Of the candidates should be influenced by
the momentous events which had just oc-
Cured. That platform, inspired by the
spirit Of the times, accordingly advocates
very bold and libeml principles, but not
holder or more liberal than the exigencics Of
the times require IL is charged that II en-
oourapcs communism. A critical examina-
tion oil the document will show that this
charge is wholly unlounded.
II expressly approves of the action Of the
national and State authorities in their efforts
70 enforce the supremacy Of the law. II
then expresses sympathy foI the honest and
industrious laborers who are willing TO work,
hut are unemployed or compelled TO work
for inadequate wages. II expresses desire
10 find practical remedies for this state OF
affairs, and recommends Ms u matter OF the
first importance that Congress establish a
bureau of industry. This measure would
make the welfare Of the laborers a matter
0f national concern, and secure uniform
laws for their relief, instead Of leaving the
subject 10 the uncertain legislation Of the
individual States.
The platform further declares in favor Of
uh<ing tnt NltiOntl tONeIHHicHt aNSuuhc
control Of all national highways, so as TO
promote safety of travel, secure fair returns
for capital and fair wages ior employees.
There is certainly no communism IN this
proposition, which simply proposes TO deal
equitabIy with both capital and labor so
far as they are the proper subjects Of lcgis-
lation.
The Ohio Republicans further declare
that they are IN favor Of measures which
will prevent the misnanagen,ent Of rail
roads, improper determinations and the
aggrandizements OF officials al the expense
OF stockholders shippers and employees.
The evils to wi hich this part OF the platform
refers are notorious. The people have
suffered greatly through determinations IN
local freight rates, whereby rs much Is
charged for carrying goods few miles
between interior points as from Cincinnati
or Cleveland to New York. The aggrun.
dixement of officials denounced is that sys'
TEN Of public robbery well known rs
wrecking railroads. by which dishonest rail
road officers, aided by Inscriptions lawyers
like SAMUEL J. TIIDEN, have within u few
years become milhonaires.
The clause of the platform recommending
that provisions be made for statutory arbi'
tration between employers and employees
is measure which has been approved by
many wise and thoughtful political econo'
mists. When men disagree about any sub
ject il is always best to settle the disputes
by arbitration than by violence. The
questions arising out of the relations be-
tween labor and capital form no exception
to this rule, and, therefore, it would IN
very proper to establish tribunals to adius
controversies, reconcile interests and estab
lish justice and equity between capitalist
and laborers.
We lind in this review of the Ohio plat
form no dangerous communistic teachings
On the contrary, we think it is documen
of extraordinary merit, because it meets th'
issues presented by the labor troubles in {
practical, statesmanhke manner. There y
nothing evasive about it. 1t recognizes tn
fact that laborers are now suffering, and !
proposes to secure them complete relief, an
Il therefore does not leave them to depen
upon the inadequate legislation Of tn
States, but proposes to protect them by til
powerful and effective legislation Of tn
National Government The laborers then
selves have sagacity enough to look to tina
source for relief, and hence they may !
depended upon to stand by the party whiC
has shown such full appreciation to deyi,
measures comprehensive enough to affoI
them the relief desired.