The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-12

fifty years ago. But tue concentration of
capital and the employment OF large bodies
of laborers, often under the control of a
single person, and almost always unde the
control of a single interest or a combination
of Interests, without conn petition in the en-
ployment of labor, has compelled the labor
ing classes to combine in some form of or
ganization to overcome the dependent condi-
ton in which their individual efforts place
them.
Even farm labor is now performed, to a
great extent, by machinery. Instead OF the
reaping hook and the field futl of hands, we
have the great reaping and binding machines
doing nearly all the work.
1t is unnecessary to continue the contrast
between the manner of performing labor at
the present with that prior TO the wonderful
inventions and Improvements in machinery.
1t is not surprising that this condition of
things has, for years, been creating a restless
disposition among the laboring classes, the
growth of which has been gradually and
steadily increasing. widening, deepening and
intensifying until its workings have de-
veloped into the various labor organizations,
unions, oranges reenbaek party, etc. These
organizations are mere experiments of men
desperately in earnest to find a remedy for
their wrongs.
OF course the efforts to unite the diverse
interests of capital and labor have not been
satisfactory. 1t has been ali attemp pit to iegis-
laLe iuT Lne pfOtecllOH " tif6 rl%HtS VI HDcht
without authority or power to enforce its
enactmepts.
The failure of every effort to provide any
adequate remedy, and the discourasements
therefrGn, together with the many infiam-
matory appeals Of demagogues and fanatics,
have, of late years, greatly increased the
restless spirit of the labor element, and,
as usual in such cases, the party
in power is accused Of all
the wrong. and thousands of Republicans
have been led TO vote against the party for
these reasons alone, and thousands of Others,
being dissatisfied, have staid at home, not
voting at all. In ny opinion, it has been
this dissatisfaction of the labor element OF
the party that has lost it more votes than all
other questions beside.
That these are great and serious questions
not only to the party, in a party sense, but
also to the country, cannot be questioned by
any one who has given the subject that con-
sideration it deserves. And 1t will not do for
the blind zeal of old fogyism for things OF
the past, or for the selfish interests of capital,
to underrate and make light of the power
and influences of the friends of these great
questions; and the party that fails 10 reoog-
nize the business and righteousness of these
principles will surely soon he left far behind
in the race for victory.
The important question, of course, is the
remedy. Where there is a wrong there
should and must be a remedy, other
| MlScs SoNti laFlap 10 ~ YAK u Adifdics0
For it is the duty of government
to protect all persons in their rights, espeei-
ally the weak, and those unable, from any
cause, to protect their own interests, and
stand independent of those whose power
would Cypress them.
Again, laws that have been enacted to pro-
tect people whose and industries
have been changed and completely reyoIu-
tionized since their passage, cannot, in the
nature of things. be all they should be. And
it is from the laws, aud the laws alone, that.
relief must come, ii relief ia any adequate
form come at alt
1t is a fundamental principle of good gov
ernment that all its citizens should have the
opportunity to labor at femuneEaJive wages,
and this remuneration should be so regulated
by law and custom, that Not only the laws of
production and compensation be consistent
and equitable with each other, but that every
one performing labor and service should be
compensated as near as possible equally
and equitably with Others perform
ing labor and service of like
character. 1t is poor economy in a govern
ment to permit any of its citizens to remain
idle for want OF opportunity to labor. Every
day idled away by a tramp is SO much lost to
the body polite. A government that per-
mits its citizens to be unemployed for want
of the opportunity to labor greatly fails in
its high functions of governing,
The Importance of these questions canno
be oyer-estimated, and that something will
be done by some party, in some manner or
other, there can be no doubt. Would it not
be wise for the Republican party to take a
stand in faver Of the government r~eeogniZ-
ing the just demands of its citizens who pro-
duee its wealth, aud without whom no capt.
tai could be produced, than to permit ex-
| treme measures to be forced Upon the coun-
try? The losses now accruing to the public
on account of strikes are a heavy burden,
and to the laborers and their families it is
the most desperate of remedies, and the
next thing to mob law. often ending in the
worst of MODS.
1t will be difficult to make laws at once
that will work a cure. 1t will require ex-
perinents in the best of faith before u COM
plete remedy is provided. But steps taken
in the right direction will suggest Others,
and once measures arrived at and inaugu-
rated, looking to a remedy, it will bring en-
couragement to those who feel something
should be done and extreme measures pre-
vented. There are a few things that seem
quite plain should be done, among which is
the change of the Departmental Agriculture
to 8 labor and agricultural department of
government, with a number of bureaus,
among which the States should be so divided
as 10 extend every facility to the people for
acquiring information; such bureaus being
in direct communication with the several
States, and aiding, as much as possible, all
schools of mechanics, agriculture, science,
etc. 1t seems to me there ought also to be
provided a more expeditions and less costly
mode for the collection of the wages of
the laborer. There should be a tribunal es-
tablished by law for settling and determin-
ing what wouid be fair and reasonable wages
to be paid by the employer to the employee,
where there is a dispute as to what price
should be paid.
This tribunal should take the place, in set
Ting prices and disputes, now held by labor
unions, strikes, etc. 1t should be illegal for
any laborer to strike for higher wages until
the question is submitted to this tribunal and
its decision given; and, in like manner, no
employer should be permitted to reduce the
wages of any employee, against his consent,
until the question be so submitted to such
tribunal.
In other words, every question of dispute