Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1886-05-01
ARBITRATION

WASHINGTON. D. c., April 23.-
President Cleveland sent the following
message to congress yesterday on the
subject of labor difficulties and arbltra-
ton:
To The Senate and House Of represent
dtiUeS:
The constitution imposes on the pres
ident the duty of recommending to the
congress from time to time such meas
ures as he shall judge necessary and ex-
pedient. g.
1 am SO deeply impressed with the
Importance of Immediately and thought
fully meeting the problem which recent
events and a present condition have
thrust upon us, vOlving the settle
ment of disputes arising between u
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 as
an element of national prosperity
should be distinctly recognized, and the
welfare of the labOring men shoulu DC
regarded as especially entitled to leg
isiative care. La a country which offers
to all it's highest attainment OF social
and political distinctions, its working
man cannot justly OF safely be consid-
cred as ~irrevocably consigned to the
limits of a class and entitled to no at
tentiou and allowed no protest against
neglect. The laborIng man, bearing
in his hand an Indispensable contrlbu-
ton to our growth and progress, may
we'll insist, with manly courage and as
a right, upon the same recognition from
those who make our laws, as Is accord
ed to any other citizens having u vaiu-
able interest in charge: and his reas-
enable demand should be mel in snch
a spirit of appreciation and fairness as
to induce a contented and patriotic Co
operation in the achievement OF a grand
national destiny. The
REAL INTERESTS OF LABOR
are not promoted by a resort to threats
and violent manifestations, and while
those who, under the pretext of an ad-
vOcacy of the claims of labor, wantonly
attack the rights of capital, and for sell
fish purposes or the love of disorder,
SOW seeds of violence and discomfort,
should neither be encouraged nor con
ciliated. All legislation on the subject
should be calmly and deliberately un-
dertaken, with no purpose of satisfying
unreasonable demands Or gaming par
tisan advantage.
The present condition of the rela-
tons between labor and capital are far
from satisfactory. The discomfort OF
the employed is due Ill a large degree
to the grasping and needless exactions
of employers, and the alleged discrim-
nations in favor of capital is an object
of governmental attention. 1t must
also be conceded that the laboring men
are not always careful to avoid cause
less and unjustifiable disturbances.
Though the Importance of a better &C
cord between these interests is appar-
ent, it must be borne in mind that any
effort in that direction by the federal
government, must be greatly limited
by constitutional restrictions. There
are many grievances which legislation
by .congress cannot redress, and many
conditions which cannot by such means
be reformed. l am satisfied, however,
that something may be done, under
federal authority, to prevent the distur-
Dances which so often arise from dis
putes between employers and the en-
ployed, and which at times seriously
threaten the business interests of the
country and in my opinion, the prop
er theory upon which to proceed is
that of
VOLUNTARY ARBITRATION
as the means of settling these Difficult.
ties. But, 1 suggest that instead o.
arbitratOrs chosen in the heat of con-
fiicting claims, and after each dispute
shall arise, there be created a commits
sion of labor, consisting of three mem
bers, who shall be regular officers Of
the government, charged among other
duties with the. consideration and set
Element, when possible, of all contro'
versies between labor and capital.
A commission thus organized would
have the advantage of being a stabl,
body, and its members as they gained
experience would constantly improve
in their ability to deal intelligently ant
usefully with the questions which
might be submitted to them. If arbi'
traitors are chosen for temporary ser
vice as each case or dispute arises, eX
p%erience and familiarity with mucl
that is involved i'll the question will b,
lacking; extreme partisanship and bia
will be the qualifications sought o.
either side, al frequent complaints o
uutairme-- a.. liartia!ity will be inevi
table. Tn ilnposiiion upon "a fedora
nrri vi "A iuii foreign To Ine Judicial
1T wrI ~. a the srieciIun u AN arbltra
[, Ill -a---. l. al L. sSt Of doubt
p.oIr =. Inc e>IabilstIment by led
autLurUN i such u bureau wUuit
ia, In -tiI-Ir!e recognition q
the Value III labor aud NJ it, right TO b
rrpre enie,t in ii,c department, vi lii
gov iniiIeut.
Sc lar as lis conciliatory offices sha
have relation 10 disturbances which il
teriere with transit and commerce bG
tween the states, its existence Woui
be justified under the provisions of th
constitution which gives to coDgre;
the
POWER TO REGULATE. COMMERCE.
with foreign nations and among IL
several states. And, in the frequel
disputes between the laboring men al
their employers, OF less extent and II
consequences of which are contint
within state limits, and threaten dt