Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1882-07-01

SAAhihoh ohcuSob iot "hiSh ehe osAiA
ers can be arrested and imprisoned.
What is the natural outcome Of such
legislation in free government.
"Why does the law-making power
of the country skip the frat injunction
Of the Constitution and endsavor 10
enforce the second ?" is q question
naturally arising. The answer to
this is thought by the mass Of work.
ingmen of to-day to be found in the
popular belief that the working ma
jority in charge Of the machinery Of
the government has been corrupted
in all its branches by the more un-
scrupulous combinations of capitalists
controlling vast corporations, 80 that
this grand social superstructure,
founded "by the people and for the
people" has been converted from its
legitimate purpose into an engine for
the oppression of the poor and for the
benefit of the rich, as We arc taught
by the debates in Congress and else
where, more or less authentic.
Your petitioners are proud 10 say,
however, that the resolutions of the
Senate referred to the honorable COM
mittee on education and labor indi-
cate a new departure in the conduct
of public afairs-a grand stride in
the right direction toward just 80
luton of the labor problem.
With this brief outline review of
the causes which lead to strikes,
your petitioners respectfully refer to
the next proposition contained in the
first resolution, to wit: "What
measures can be properly provided to
modify or remove such causes of dis
turbance, and to provide against their
continuance or recurrence
All that the workmen desire to &C.
complish by their trade-unions is an
opportunity to pursue their avocations
under the eight hour law, and con-
tribute to the general welfare Of the
nation by their labor and skill, reap
ing their legitimate reward for such
labor, thus enabling them to educate
their children, feed, clothe, and COM
fortably shelter their families, and
enjoy tho blessings of liberty on a
perfect equality with their fellow
citizens engaged in other useful
pursuits.
We believe this result can be &C.
complished by the wise men of the
nation assembled in Congress from
time to time if they will boldly under
take to establish justice" in the re-
lations of capital and labor. Prece-
dents in legislation are abundant
wherein the credit of the government
has bean extended to corporations
organized for promotion Of the gen.
eral welfare" and if national organ
ization of workingmen are incorpora-
ted under the general laws for the
prosecution of their legitimate bust
ness, the products of which business,
if deemed by Congress to be promo
tive of the general welfare, it seems
practicable to your petitioners that
such corporation might be allowed to
issue stock or bonds. bearing interest
at three per cent per annum, to ena-
BILE them to establish their manufac-
turing enterprises, and give to the
government first mortgage on their
factories and workshops, in consider
alton of the government guaranteeing
the payment of the interest on such
bonds as it falls due. BY law the
prices of such products could be con-
trolled by the powers Of Congress
over trade and commerce 80 as to
yield fair days wages for reason
able days work to every member of
the corporation, according to their
relative degrees Of merit as vorkmen,
and at the same time protect the
general community from oppressive
exactions. The surplus profits de-
rived from the business Of such cor
poration could be utilized in building
comfortable homes for the member
ship and educating their families,
raising them above the social grade
which their present enforced poverty
compels them to occupy. Under such
a "co-operative system" capital will
reap lis legitimate share and honest
labor its equitable reward, it is
believed.
This theory, which is perhaps
crudely presented, Though VIC hope
the honorable committee of education
l. L 4 a.. H. y