The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-05-07
THE WORKMEN's CAUSE.
President Cleveland in q Message to
Congress Suggests q Plan for the
Settlement of Strikes.
4 ooyEnN,xrsr coxxnss1oN suoaEsrEp.

A GOVERNMENT CONFESSION SUGGESTED.
WASHINGTON, April 22.-The president to-
day sent the following message to congress:
The constitution imposes on the president the
duty OF recommending to the consideration Of
congress, from time to time. such measures as
he shall judge necessary and expedient. I am
deeply impressed with The Importance Of imme-
diately and yhoughtfullv meeting the problem
have thrust upon us, involving the settlement
OF Disputes arising between our laboring men
and their employers. that l am constrained to
recommend to congress legislation upon this Sc
rious and pressing subject. Under our form Of
government the value OF labor as an element of
material prosperity should be distinctly recog-
should be regarded as especially entitled to leg
iisiattve care. In = country which offers to all
It's citizens the highest a~ttainments Of social
not Justly or safely be considered as i%rrevoca-
and entitled to no attention and
laborinr man. hearing in his hand an indispensa
BILE contribution to our growth and progress
may well insist with manly courage and as a
make our laws rs is accorded to any other citizen
having q valuable interest in charge, and his
reasonable demands should be met In such \
. contented and patriotic cooperation in the
achievement Of q grand national destiny. While
The real interests Of labor are not promoted by q
while those who under the pretcxt Of advocacy
OF tho claims Of labor wantonly attack tho
rights Of capital for selfish purposes, or the love
tent, should neither be encouraged nor concili-
ated, all legislation on the subject should be
calmly and deliberately taken. with no purpose
partisan advantage. The present condition Of
the relations between capital and labor are far
from satisfactory; The discomfort of the en-
ployed Is due in q large degaee to the
GRAsPTNG N NEEDLESS ExAcTIoNs
OF employers and the alleged discrimination in
favor Of capital as an object Of government
labortng men are not always careful to avoid
causeless and unjustiiable disturbance. Though
the importance Of . better accord between these
that any effort In that direction by tho federal
government must be greatly limited by consti-
tuttonal restrictions. There are many griev-
snces which LEGISLATION by congress cannot re-
dress, and many conditions which cannot by
such means be reformed. I am satisfied, how
ever, that something may DO done under federal
authority to prevent the disturbances which so
often arise from disputes between employers
and the employed, and which at times
seriously threaten the business interests
OF the country. And in my opinion the proper
theory upon which to proceed is that of voluntary
arbitration as the means OF settling these diff
@culties. But I suggest that instead Of arbitra-
tors chosen in the heat of conflicting claims,
and after each dispute shall arise. there be cree
aued q commission Of labor, consisting Of three
government, charged, among other duties, with
the consideration and settlement, when posi-
Bile, OF all controversies between labor and cap
ital. A commission thus organized would have
the advantage of being = stable body, and its
members, as they gained experience. would con-
stantly improve in their ability to deal intelli-
might be submitted to them. II arbitrators ara
chosen for temporary service, az each case
of dispute arises. experience and familiarity
with all that is involved in the question Will be
lacking, extreme partisanship and bias will be
the qualifications sought on either side and fire.
quent complaints Of unfairness and Partially
H. I 49, - ~
eral court Of q duty foreign to the judicial func-
ton as the selection of an arbitrator In such
cases Is at least OF doubtful propriety. The es-
bureau would be q just and sensible recognition
OF the value Of labor. and of Its right to be repre-
sented in the departments Of the government.
to disturbances which interferred with transit
and between the states, its existence
would be justified under tho provisions Of the
constitution which gives to congress- the
TO COMMERCE.
with foreign nations and among the several
states; and in the frequent disputes between
the iahorinR men and their employers of less ex-
tent, and the consequences Of which are con-
fined within state limits, and threaten domestic
violence, the interpretation of such a commission
might be rendered upon the application of the
legislature or executive Of a state, under the con-
stitutional provision which requires the general
g sssin, =. aa,ns to protect n;o1scc. each e of, Of tn, ! states
sion were fairly organized. the risk of q loss OF
popular support and sympathy resulting from a
REFUSAL TO submit TO SO peaCe1ul an instruments
Atty would constrain both parties to such dis
putes to invoke its interference and abide by its
decisions. There would also be good reason to
hope that the very existence OF such an agency
would invite application to 1t for advice and
counsel. frequently resulting in the avoidance of
contention and misunderstanding. II the use
fulness Of such a commission is doubtful be-
cause 1t might lack power to enforce It's decis-
ions. much encouragement is derived from the
conceded good that has been accomplished by
the railroad commissions which have been or
ganized in many Of the states which. having
little more than advisory power. have exerted a
most salutary influence in the settlement of
disputes between conflicting interests. In July,
1884. by = law of congress q bureau OF labor was
established and placed in charge of = commits
stoner of labor, who is required to collect in
formation upon the subject of labor, its rela-
lions with capital, the hours of labor and
the earnings of lRboring men and
women, and the means Of promot-
ing their material. social, intellectual
and moral prosperity" The commission which
/ suggest could easily be enRrafted upon the bu-
reau thus already organized, by the addition Of
two more commissioners, and by experimenting
the duties now imposed upon 1t by such other
powers and functions as would permit the conf
between labor and capital, under such limita-
lions and upon such occasions as should be
deemed proper and useful. Power should also
be distinctly conferred upon this bureau to in
vestigate the causes Of all disputes as they occur,
whether submitted for arbitration or not, so that
information may always he at hand to aid legis-
lation on the subject, when necessary and desir-
able. GROVER CLEVELAND,
Executive Mansion, April %, 1886.