Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-04-23
HE pREs1pENr on vac LABOR rRouBLEs.

IdE FhEblUEN1 VIC LIE Ahoon 1hoooA1o'
The President yesterday sent to Congress
the following message:
To the Senate and House Of Representatives:
The constitution imposes upon the Presi-
dent the duty of recommending to the con-
sideration Of Congress from time to time
such measures as he shall judge necessary
and expedient. am so deeply impressed
with the Importance of Immediately and
thoughtfully meeting the problem which re-
cent events and present condition have
thrust upon us, involving the settlement of
disputes arising between our laboring men
and their employers, that am constrained
to recommend to Congress legislation upon
this serious and pressing subject. Under
our form of government the value of labor
as an element of national prosperity should
be distinctly recognized, and the welfare of
the Iaboring man should be regarded as es.
pecially entitled to legislative care. In q
country which offers to all its citizens the
highest attainment of social and political
distinction, its workingmen cannot Justly O..
safely be considered as irrevocably consisu-
ed to the limits Of class and entitled tc. no
attention and allowed no protest against
neglect. The laboring man, bearing In his
hand an Indispensable contribution TO our
growth and progress, may we'll insist with
manly courage and as right upon the same
recognition from those who make our laws
as is accorded TO any other citizens having
a valuable interest in charge, and his rea-
sonabe demand should be met in such
spirit of appreciation and fairness as to in
duce contented and patriotic cooperation
in the achievement of II grand national dos.
tiny.
While the real interests Of labor are not
promoted by resort TO threats and vi olcnt
manifestations, and while those who under
the pretext of an advocacy OF the Gains OF
labor, wantonly attack the rights G capital,
and for selfish purposes, or tho 10 We Of dis
order, SOW seeds OF violence and discomfort,
should neither be encouraged nor concil-
ated, all legislation on the subj ect should be
calmly and deliberately IN dertaken, with
no purpose of satisfying unreasonable de-
mands or gaining partisan advantage.
The present condition of the relations be-
tween labor and capital arc far from salts.
factory. The discomfort Of tho employed is
due in large degree to the grasping and
needless e2actions of employers and the
alleged discrimination in favor of capital as
an object of governmental attention. 1t
must also be conceded that the laboring
men are not always careful to avoid cause
less and unjustitiable disturbance. Though
the Importance of better accord between
these interests is apparent, it must be horne
in mind that any effort in that direction by
tho federal government must be greatly
limited by constitutional restrictions
There are many grievances which legisls-
ton by Congress cannot redress, and many
conditions which cannot by such means be
reformed.
I am satisfied, however, that something
may be done under federal authority to pre-
vent the disturbances which so often arise
from disputes between employers and the
employed, and which ut times seriously
threaten the business interests of the coun-
try; and in my opinion the proper theory
upon which to proceed is that of voluntary,
arbitration rs the means of settling the C
difficulties. But suggest that instead of
arbitrators chosen in the heat of conflict ing
claims, and after each dispute shall rise.
sisting of three members, who shall be reg
among other duties, with The consid Grafton
and sett), ement, when possible, of all contro.
versiee, between labor and capital. A com
miss, ION thus organized would have the ad-
Vintage of being a stable body, and its
members, as they gained experience, would
constantly improve in their ability to deal
intelligently and usefully with the questions
which might be submitted to them. IF ar
bitrators are chosen for temporary service
"a each case of dispute arises, experience
and familiarity with much that is involved
in the question will be lacking, extreme
partisanship and bias will be the qualifca-
lions sought on either side, and frequent
complaints Of unfairness and Partially will
be inevitable. The imposition upon fed
eral court of a duty foreign TO the Judicial
function, as the selection OF an arpitrato r
in such cases is at least of doubtful prophet y
The establishment by federal authority OF
such a bureau would be q just and sens bile
recognition of the value OF labor and of its
right to be represented in the departments
of the government. So far as its concili atory
offices shall have relation to disturbances
which interfered with transit and con- MERGE
| between the States its existence would be
| justified under the provisions of the constr
| tuition which give TO Congress tho power
| "to regulate commerce with foreign nations
and among thelseveral States" And in the
| frequent disputes between the laboring men
and their employers Of less extent, and the
consequences OF which are confined within
| State limits and threaten domestic violence,
the interposition of such commission might
be rendered upon the application Of the Leg
islature or Executive offs State under the
constitutional provision which requires the
general government TO protect" each OF the
States against domestic violence"
If such commission were fairly organized
the risk of loss Of popular support and
sympathy resulting from refusal to submit
to SO peaceful an instrumentality, would
IL -, Il
woke its interference and abide by its decis-
ions. There would also be good reason to
hope that the very existence of such an
agency would invite application to it for adj
vice and counsel, frequently resulting in the
avoidance Of contention and misunderstand-
ing.
Ii the usefulness Of such commission is
doubted because it might lack power to en-
force its decisions, much encouragement is
derived from the conceded good that has
been accomplished by the railroad commits