The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-23
THE mRaRAGR.

The constitution imposes on the
President the duty Of recommending
to the consideration Of Congress from
time TO time such measures az hethall
Judge necessary and expedient. P.m
80 deeply impressed with the i'm DOR
lance OF Immediately and ihougf.tIully
meeting the problem which recent
events and the present condition have
thrust upon us, involving the settle
ment Of disputes arising between our
laboring men and their employers,
that / am constrained TO recommend
to Congress legislation upon the seri
GUS and pressing subject. Under oar
form OF government the value OF labor
as an element Of national prosperity
should be distinctly recognized, and
the welfare OF the laboriDg man should
be regarded as especially entitled to
legislative care. In country which
offers TO all its citizens the
highest attainment Of social and
political distinction, its working
men cannot justly or safely be
considered IS irrevoeably consigned 10
the limits OF a class, and entitled to nc
attention, and allowed no protest
against neglect. The laboiing man,
! bearing in his hand an indispensable
| contribution to our growth and prog
ress, may well insist, with manly
courage and as a right, upon the same
recognition from those who make our
laws "a is accorded 10 any other citi-
! zen having a valuable interest in
ctarge; and his reasonable demand
shoud be met in such spirit Of APP
probation and fairness as to induce a
contented and patriotic operation
in the achievement of gIaDd nation
! al destiny. While the real interests
of labor are not promoted by resort
TO thrI ats and violent manilet tations,
and while those who, under the pre-
text OF an advocacy of the claims of
labor, war tonly attack the rights OF
capital, and for selfish purpOss or the
love OF disorder SOW seeds Of violence
and discomfort, should neither be en-
couraged or conclated. All lePisls-
ton on the subj ct should be calmly
and deliberately undertaken, with no
purpose OF satisfying unreasonable de.
mands or gaining partit an advantage.
The present condition OF the rela-
tions between labor and capital sre far
from satisfactory. The discomfort Of
the employed is due in large degree
| to the grasping and needless exactions
of employers, and the alleged dir
elimination in favor of capital is an
obi sct of governmental attention. Ii
must also be- conceded that the labor
ing men are not always careful % avoid
causeless and unjustifiable disturb.
Ance. Though the Importance of
better accord between these interests
is apparent, il must be horne in mind
that any effort in that direction by the
| Federal Governn eat must ba greatly
limited by constitutional rest iC ms.
There are many grievances which leg.
isation by Congress cannot redress,
and many conditions which cannot by
such means be reformed. | AN ggtis-
| fed, however, thai something may he
done under Federal authority TO pre-
vent the disturbances which go
often arise from diaputes between
employers and the employed
and which at times senously
threaten the business interests
Of the country, and in my opinion the
proper theory upon which to proceed
is that Of voluntary arbitration a. the
means. of settling these difficulties.
But suggest that instead OF arbitra-
tors, chosen in the heat of conf citing
claims, aud after each dispute shsl
arise, there be created a commission of
labor, consisting of three members,
who shall be regular officers of the
government, charged, among other
dutiep, with the consideration and set
Element, when possible, of all oontro-
versies between labor and capital. A
commission thus organized would
have the advantage Of being a stable
body, and it's members, as they gained
experience, would constantly improve
in their ability TO deal iDtellgsntly
and useiuly with the questions which
might be submitted 10 them. If aTbi-
traitors ara chosen f1r temporary ser-
vice az each csss OF dispute arises ex-
perience and familiarity with much
that is involved in the question will
be lacking in extreme psrisanship
aud bias will b. the qushfIaton
sought on either side, ana frequent
complaints OF uniairness and partial
ity will he inevitable. The imposi-
ton upon . Federal court If q duty for.
eign to the judicial function, a. the
selection OF an arbitrator IN such
cases, is at least o. doubtful proTrely.
The establishment by Federal author
ity Of such bureau would he Just
and sensible recogBiion Of the Value
OF labor ard of it's right TO he repre-
scented in the departments of the gov
eminent.
So far as it's conciliatoTy offices shall
have relation TO disturbances which In
teFfeTed with traneit and commerce be-
tween the States, its existence would
be justified under the provisions of
the constitution, which gives to Con-
gress the power to regulate commerce
with foreign nations and among the
several States, and in the frequent dis
putes between tn laboring men and
their employers Of less extent, and the
consequences of which ara con6ued
within State limi g, and threaten do.
nestle violence, the inteTpcsitinn Of
such q commission might be rendered
upOn the application Of the Lagisla-
lure or executive Of State under the
constitutional provision which re-
qnires the general government to
protect each Of the States" agsintt
domestic violence. II such commits.
sion were fairly organised, the risk of
loss Of popular support aud symps-
thy resulting from refusal to submit
to 80 peaceful an fundamentally
would constrain 10th pfr,ies o such
disputes TO invoke its interference and
abide by it's decision. There would
also be good reason 70 hope that the
very existence Of such an agency
would invite application to il for ad-
vice and counsel, frequently resu ting
in the avoidance OF contention and
understanding.
II the usefnlnpss of such a commits
sion is doub fll, b cause il might lack
power to emf roe its decisions, much
encouragement lie derived from the
conc, dsd good that has been accom-
pllthed by the railIoai commissions
which have been organized in many
OF the Sa.ss, which, having little
more than advi DRY power, have
n