Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-04-28


spensible contribution to our growth
and progress, may well insist, with
manly courage and as right, upon
the same recognition from those vino
make our laws as is accorded to any
other citizens having valuable inter
est in charge and his responsible de-
mand should be met in such spirit
of appreciation and fairness as to in
duce a contented and patriotic CO op-
GRAFTON in the achievement of a grand
national destiny.
UNSATISFACTORY RELATIONS.
While the real interests of labor
are not promoted by a resort to
threats and violent manifestations,
and while those who, under the pre-
text of an advocacy of the claims of
labor, wsutonly attack the rights of
capital, aud for selfish purposes or
the love of disorder sow seeds of vio-
lence aud discomfort should neither
be encouraged nor conciliated, all
Legislation on the subject should be
be calmly and deliberately undertak-
en-, with no purpose of satisfying un-
reasonable demands or gaining paIti-
san advantage. TIE present condition
OF the relations between labor and
capital are far frem satisfactory. The
discomfort of the employed is due, in
q large degree to the grasping and
needless exactions of employers and
the alleged discrimination in favor of
capital rs an object of government
attention. 1t must also be conceded
that the laboring men are not always
careful to avoid causeless and unjus-
tifiable disturbance.
Though the importance of a better
accord between these interests is ap-
parent, 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 leg
islation by Congress cannot redress
and mary conditions which cannot by
such means be reformed / am sat-
isfed, however, that samething may
be done under Federal authority to
prevent the disturbances which soof-
ten arise from disputes between em
ployers and the employed, and which
at times seriously thresten the bust
ness interests of the country; and in
nay opinion the proper theory upon
which to proceed is that of voluntary
arbitration as the means of settling
these difficulties. But / suggest that
instead of arbitrators chosen in the
heat of conflicting claims and after
each dispute shall arise there be ere
ated Commission of Labor, consist
ing of three members, who shall be
regular officers of the government,
charged among other duties with the
and settlement, when
possible, of all controversies between
labor and capital
A COMMISSION WITHOUT BIAS.
4 commission thus organized would
have the advantage of being a stable
body and its members, as they gain
ed experience, would constantly i'm ,
prove in their ability to deal intel !
Iigently and usefully with the ques- |
tions that might be submitted to !
them. If arbitrators are chosen for
services each case of dis !
Dute arises experience and fanilliari- |
y with much that is involved in the |
question will be lacking, extreme par
and bias will be the qralff
,ations sought on either side ard fre
Iuent complaints of unfairness and
will be inevitable. The
upon Federal court of
luty foreign to the judicial function,
Is the selection of an arbitrator in
'uch cases, is at least of doubtful
The establishment by Fed
eral authority of such bureau would
De just and sensible recognition of
lhe value Of labor and OF its right to
De represented in the departments of
he government.
So far as its concilliatory offices
lad relation to disturbances which
nterfered with transit and commerce
between the States, its existence
would be justified under the provi-
sions of the Constitution which gives
10 Congress the power ''to regulate
with foreign nations and
among the several States" And in
he frequent disputes between the la
boring men and their employers of
ess extent and the consequences of
which are confined within State lin
is and threaten domestic violence,
he interposition of such a commits
sion might be rendered, upon the ap-
olcation of the Legislature or Exec
ltive of a State, under the constitu-
.ional provieion which requires the
General Government to "protect"
Zach of the States "against domestic
'iolence."
WHY THEY WOULD ARBITRATE.
If such commission were fairly
the risk of loss of popu-
ar support and sympathy resulting
rom refusal to submitto SO peaceful
N instrumentally would constrain |
10Th parties to such disputes to in
-oke its interference and abide by its [
licisions. There would also be good
eason to hope that the very exis
ence of such an agency would invite 6
application to it for advice and coun- /
el, frequently resulting in the avoid
nee of contention and misunder- c