The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1886-04-28

North and Northwest will extend
through the whole land, and invading
all occupations, sap the foundation OF
the Government. The Importance Of
the question deserves the highest con-
sideration of the wisest in the coun-
try. The demand of the millions,
composing the laboring class. cannot
with safety be disregarded. Whether
the grievances they complain of be
real or imaginary, there should be a
tribunal clothed with power to invest
igate and administer to the exigences
of the case. While carefully guard
ing the rights of the laborers, the per.
petrators of outrages like those recent
II committed in st. Louis and other
places, should be severely punished.
Organizations like the Knights of La
Dor, and we may add, large railroad
corporations should not exist without
power competent to supervise and
control their actions.
Congress has taken the matter in
hand and appointed a committee to
examine representatives of each of the
warning factions as to the cause of the
trouble. Lengthy interviews have been
held with Gould, the great lallroad
Crosus. and Powderly, the Mogul OF
the Knights The President in mes
sage to Congress called attention to
this momentous question, and recon-
mends commission OF Labor, COM
posed OF three members, as the best
means of adjusting the difficulties. In
one part of the message he says:
The present condition of relations be-
tween labor and capital are far from
satisfactory. The discomfort of the
employed is due in large degree to
the grasping and needless exactions
Of employers, and alleged discrimina-
ton in favor of capital as an object of
governmental attention. 1t must al
so be conceded that laboring men are
not always careful to avoid causeless
and unjustifable disturbance. Though
the importance of better accord be-
tween these interests is apparant, it
must be borne in mind that any effort
in that direction by the Federal Gov
ernmeaz 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.
am satisfied, however, that some
thing may be done, under Federal
authority, to prevent disturbances
which so often arise from disputes be-
tween employers and employed, and
which at times seriously threaten the
business interests of the country; and
in my opinion the proper theory up
on which to proceed is that of rolun-
tary arbitration as e means of settling
these difficulties. But I suggest that
instead of arhitrators chosen in the
heat of conflicting claims, and after
each dispute shall arise, there be Gre
ated commission OF Labor, consist
ing of three members, who shall be
regular officers of the Government,
charged, among other duties, with the
consideration and settlement, when
possible, OF all controversies between
labor and capital.
A commission thus organized would
have the advantage of being stable
body, and its members, as they gain
ed experience, would constantly i'm
prove in their ability to deal intelli-
gently and usefully with questions
which might be submitted to them.
II arbitrators are chosen for Temporal
y service, as each case of dispute
arises, experience and Familiarity with
much that is involved in the question
will be lacking. Extreme partisan
ship and bias Will be the qualifications
sought on either side, and frequent
complaints of unfairness and PARTIAL
ty VIII be inevitable The imposition
apon the Federal Courts Of duties,
foreign to the judicial function, such
as the selection of an arbitrator in
such cases, is at least of doubtful pro-
priety.
The establishment by Federal 'au-
thority Of such bureau would be a
just and sensible recognition of the
value Of labor, and of its right to be
represented in the departments of the
Government. So far as its concilia,
tory Offices had relation to disturban-
ces which interfered with transit and
commerce between States, it's exist
enee would be justified, under the
provision OF the Constitution which
gives to Congress power ssto regulate
commerce with foreign nations and
among the several States and in the
frequent disputes between laboring
men and their employers of less ex-
tent and the consequences of which
are confined within State limits and
threaten domestic violence, the inter
position of such q commission might
be rendered upon application OF the
Legislature or the Executive Of the
State under the constitutional provis-
ioc which requires the General Gov
eminent to protect" each Of the
States aooinct 1o,,o net;o r;olopoo