Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-26
N4TIoNAL NONSENSE.

It is unfortunate for the New York Ma
tionals that they begin their avowal of po-
litical principles with an absolute untruth,
patent upon its face. Their preamble states
that
WHEREAS, The so-called Democratic and Re
publican parties have legislated in the interest
of the money power of this country and Eu.
rope, and which are the sources of all the
wealth thereof, we assert our complete indie
pendence of said parties, and declare our indie
pendence and adhesion to the National Green
back Labor party.
However true it may be that the Repubi-
can party has 'legislated in the interest of
the money power of this country and Eu-
rope,' it is manifestly untrue that the Demo
cratic party has so legislated, simply for the
reason that it has not had the opportunity
of legislating either for or against the money
interests. Ever since the issue of govern
ment and national bank notes the Demo-
cratic party has been in minority in Con-
gress, and could not, therefore, have been
guilty of the charge. The policy of the
Democratic party-the measures it has at
tempted, though unsuccessfully, to carry
through-has been the repeal of the national
bank law and of the resumption act, and the
making of greenbacks an absolute legal ten
der, and these are the main demands of the
Nationals themselves.
While in the main the GLOBE does not dis
agree with the principles laid down in the
National platform, it is not blind to some
glaring inconsistencies that appear. While
demanding and insisting Gu the re-
duction of expenses, they ask for the
appointment of various commissions that
will inevitably be extremely expensive, while
their utility is matter of grave doubt. They
ask the appointment of commissions con-
sisting of men whose business does not
| identify them with railroads, men of known
character and ability to investigate and as
certain the actual cost of rail transportation
and to the end that proper legislation may
be had for the control of railroads by the
State. They also demand the establishment
of labor bureau for the purpose of obtain.
ing reliable statistics to form basis for in.
telligent legislation on labor questions, es
pecially with regard to the hours of labor
which should be reduced in proportion al
the use of machinery increases, and in con
formity with other causes which throw
workers out of employment.
Both of these commissions would involv
the expenditure OF millions of money annu
ally. Men capable of carrying out the pur
poses contemplated could not be induced t.
give their services for song, and the labo
is of a character that requires wide research
and great OUTLAWS of time and money. Tn
results sought to be obtained, while desirabl
in themselves, can never be reached throug
} such means. The railroad legislation q
several of the Western States within tl
past eight years has demonstrated the fulfill
of attempting to regulate the cost of trans
portation by such agencies. Time and IL
demands of trade can alone bring about sue
reforms. So with the labor question. tt
law of supply and demand will govern IL
labor market in spite of whatever legislatio
. may be enacted. It is absolute folly
suppose that legislation can remedy evils
this nature. By promoting industry alo,
can the interests of the laboring man !
promoted. If there is no demand for IL
: labor of mechanics, wages will inevitably
. low; if the demand is great, skilled workms
can command their own price. Instead
promoting the cause Of the workingme
legislation of the character d
manded will only hamper the OF
Il ployer and destroy the dema1
d for labor. 1t is the true policy of the frien
r of the workingmen to encourage manufa
+ lures. trade and commerce, not to hind
Il them by obstructive laws. The pursuit
is chimerical ideas such as are enunciated
a the Nationals of New York will only bril-
. their party into disrepute among sensit