Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-07-21
WHY NO STRIKES IN FRANCE.
How the WOrkmen and Their Masters
Arrange Differences.
Boston Herald.

A Council of Wise Men, is created in
a manufacturing centre ON the requisi-
ton of the municipal council. 1t con-
sists of six or more prud' hOmn1eS, elected
in equal numbers by the masters and
workmen, and a President and Vice Presi-
dent appointed by the government, one of
them being an employer and the other a
ton of the two chief members is
complained of by some workmen,
but is approved by others, as experience
gained under former law tended to show
that elections by the Council caused strife
that was never healed, and led to much
party feeling. The President and Vice
President hold office for three years and
are eligible for reappOintment. The other
prud'hOmn1eS are elected for six years, but
one-half retire every three years. In case
of vacancy occurring the Project of the
municipality orders a new election. No
man is eligible under the age of thirty,
and the electors must be twenty-five years
of age, and, if workmen, must have served
at their trade for five years.
The "cOnseils' have in most respects
the powers of a regular law court, and
take cogniZance of disputes between
master and workman and between work
men themselves. The conseil is sub-di-
vided into private bureau and a general
bureau, the former consisting of two
members, and intended to effect a peace
tul settlement, failing which the dis
pute must go from ''the peacemakers'' for
hearing before the other and larger bu-
reau. Procedure is very simple and adj
mirable. On complaint being lodged the
clerk of the council sends courteous in
Vitation to the defendant to attend at a
certain time. This invitation is generally
accepted, but if not formal summons is
issued at the cost of the suit, and, if neces-
sary, a third is issued at the cost of the
defendant, who, failing then to appear, is
liable to punishment for contempt of
court, and to have Judgment by default
rendered against him, AT the hearing no
lawyer or attorney can plead nor is any
discussion between complainant and de-
PENDANT permitted, as it might, by develop
ing hot temper, retard an easy settlement.
Each party is wisely restricted to answer
ing merely questions of facts. Witnesses
may be summoned if necessary, and are
allowed small fees. The decision of the
council is final, except in certain cases, as
when documents are disputed. In these
exceptional instances appeals are allowed
to the ordinary tribunals. Three-fOurths
of the cases which come before the general
bureau involve costs not exceeding six
pence; the utmost cost possible is not
over five shillings sterling.
Now as to results. There are in France
1872 conseils-a considerable increase on a
few years ago. Before these, in 1880, &c.
400 cases came up, OF which one-fourth
were settled before passing the concilia-
tors of the private bureaus. In an an
nual average of 7,955 cases put down for
hearing before the general courts, 4,7S9,
or three-ffths, were withdrawn before
hearing. A system which can show such
results in the Cancellation of contending
parties, and in the prevention of costly
appeals, and yet at the same time secure
substantial justice to all concerned, is
well worthy of the careful consideration
of social economists and of the general
public.