Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-07-10
Veto of the Labor Bill.

mines and manufactures of iron and
steel the payment of their wages in
lawful money of the United States
has already been announced, and has
provoked considerable discussion by
those interested on both sides of the
question. 1t is not our purpose at this
time to take part in any discussion
either to defend or doubt the correct
ness of the reasons given by the
Governor of the State for disapprov-
ing the bill and preventing it by
the use of the veto power from be-
coming law; but we simply desire
to show that the strongest objections
urged by the Governor might have
been obviated if those who set them
selves up as the especial champions of
the rights of labor had been Sufficient.
ly wise to accept the reasonable
amendments proposed by Senator c.
1. Alexander when the bill was under
consideration in the Senate. Gov.
lloyt, in the veto message, states his
principal objections, rs follows:
"The act is special and within con.
stitutional prohibition. Even if gen.
{ oral tuHttlI D.. q, palf1 f.lfayttg,,
rs being contrary TO the genius of our
free government and As based upon
theory subyersive OF the true principles
of our constitution in that it denies the
laborer the right to sell his labor to
whom he pleases aud for such prices
and on such terms as seem good to him
without molestatlon, hIndrance or re.
siriction."
In his able argument on the merits
of the bill, Senator Alexander referred
to its special" character, in that it
only applied to labor employed in
mines and manufactures of iron aud
steel and showed conclusively that
unless made general " by amendment,
so as to apply alike to all branches Of
industry, it came within the coustitu-
tional prohibition and could not be-
come valid law. Upon the question
of the policy of the law a. proposed
by its friends he was equally conclu-
sive, as an extract from his speech, that
covers both of the objections advanced
by the Governor, will show. He said
"Section seven, article three. Of the
Constitution, provides that the General
Assembly shall not pass any local or
special law changing the
rules of evidence in any Judicial pro.
ceednR. or inquiry before court, alder.
man. Justices OF the peace.
or regulating labor, trade, mining or
manufacturing" This proposed law
may not be local in its character "a it
applies to three branches of industry
in all of the counties OF the State, in
which they are conducted, and is there
fore general az To the business to which
il refers, but is il not special IA it ap.
Uilt1 10 NHIFt IAIAtAblhl hlAAGtHta uA III
dustryi What did the trainers OF the
Constitution mean by the use of the
words local or special in the connection
in which they are here used We
must gather their meaning by the same
rules we would apply in the interpreta
ton of O statute.
But whether it be unconstitutional or
not. is not the policy Of such n law bad
All men are equal before the law, and
each man should be left free to make
his own contracts in his own way, 80
long as he does not interfere with the
rights of others. All laws in restraint
Of legitimate trade are obnoxious; all
laws that seek TO interpose n barrier
to the making of legitimate contracts
are in restraint Of trade, and an unwar.
ranted interference with the rights OF
citizenship"
This seems wise, reasonable and
statesmanlike. Now for the remedy
urged by Mr.. Alexander. His amend
meut reads "a follows:
"That every corporation. co.partner.
ship, firm or individual doing any busi.
ness Wltnln Iuls commonwealth IN
which iaborers are employed shall pay
their laborers or employees at stated pc.
RODS in money or merchandise or other
commodity, as may be agreed upon be.
tween the parties at the time of the
contract Of hiring and in accordance
with the terms thereof, and IL shall
he unlawful for any corporation. CO
partnership, firm or individual, doing
business as aforesaid, to knowingly
and willfully charge their employees
more or greater price for any art.
icle of merchandise furnished than
that at which the same article and
quality Of merchandise Is sold at for cash
in the same town or neighborhood by
other merchants or others trading in
such articles. That IL shall be unlawful
for any retail merchant doing business
in this Commonwealth to receive any
order that may be drawn upon him for
the payment Of labor at less than its
face value, or to discount the same, or