Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-04-30
MR., CLEVELAND'S IDEA.
SENDS THE SENATE A MESSAGE ON
THE LABOR QUESTION.
Recommends Legislation-Volunt Ar
bitration Suggested-A Permanent
Committee of three Proposed to
act in Such Emergencies.

WASHINGTON, April 22-The president
today sent a message to Congress on the
subject of labor troubles. 1t was in sub
stance The constitution imposes upon
the president the duty of recommending
to the consideration of Congress from
time to time such measures rs he shall
Judge necessary and expedient. | am so
deeply impressed with the Importance of
Immediately and thoughtfully meeting
the problem which recent events have
thrust upon us, involving a settlement of
the disputes arising between our laboring
men and their employers, that | am con-
strained to recommend to Congress legls-
lation upon this serious and pressing sub
ject. Under our government the value of
labor as an element of national prosperity
should be distinctly recognised and the well
fare of the laboring man should be regard
ed as especially entitled to Legislative care.
Its wOrkingmen cannot justly or safely be
considered as irrevocably consigned to the
limit of Il class and entitled to no atten-
ton and allowed no protest against neg
lect. The labOrng man bearing an indis-
pensable contribution to our growth and
progress may well insist upon the same
recognition from those who make our laws
valuable interest in charge, and his rea-
sonable demand should be met in such u
spirit of fairness as to induce contented
and patriotic cooperation in the
achievement of a grand national destiny.
While the real interests of labor are not
promoted by resort to threats and VIC
1ence, and while those who, under pre-
text of advocacy of the claims of labor
want only to attack the rights of capital,
and for selfish purposes or love of disorder
and of violence and discdntent should
neither be encouraged nor conciliated, all
legislation on the subject should be calmly
and deliberately undertaken.
The discontent of the employed is due in
a large degree to the grasping and heed
less eXactions of employers and the al
legged discrimination in favor of capital
as an object of government attention. 1t
must also be conceded that the laboring
men are not always careful to avoid cause
less and unj ustitiabe disturbance. Though
the importance of better accord between
these interests Is apparent, 1t must be
borne in mind that all efforts in that di-
rection by the federal government must
be greatly limited by constitutional
restrictions. There are! many grev-
ances which legislation by Con
gres cannot redress. | am satisfied,
however, that something may be done
under federal authority. In my opinion
the proper theory upon which to proceed
is that of voluntary arbitration as the
means of settling these difficulties. But
| suggest instead of arbitrator chosen in
the heat of conflicting claims, and after
each dispute shall arise, that there be Gre
ated a commission of labor, consisting of
three members, who shall be regular
officers of the government, charged among
other duties with the consideration
and settlement when possible of all con
troverses between labor and capital. A
committee thus organized would have the
u1v nj hainU a "a hnIy ar "a = /
gained experience would constantly inn
prove in its ability to deal with the ques-
tons arising. Ii arbitrator are chosen
for temporary service only, experience and
familiarity with much that is involved III
the question will be lacking. Extreme
partisanship ana bias will be quail
ficatiOns sought on either side,
and frequent complaints of unfair
ness and Partially will be inevitable.
The establishment by federal authorities
of such bureau would be Il just and
sensible recognition of the value and
rights of labor The clause requiring the
general government to protect each of
the states against domestic violence"
would cOnStraln 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 exist
ence of such an agency would invite APP
plicatiOn to it for advice and COUNSEL
frequently resulting in the avoidance of
contention ana MISUNDERSTANDING.
If the usefulness of such a commits
sion is doubted because it might lack
power to enforce its decisions, much en-
enlargement is derived tsom the good
that has been accomplished by the rail
road commissions, organized III many Of
the States which having little more than
advisory power, have eXerted most
satisfactory influence in the settlement of
disputes In July, 1854, Congress estab-
lished bureau of labor which is required
to collect information upon the subject
of labor, its relations to capital, the
hours of labor, and the earnings of
laboring men and women, and the
means of promoting their material
social, intellectual and moral prosperity"
The commission which | suggest could
easily be engrafted upon the bureau thus
already organized by the addition of two
more commissioners and by supplement-
ing the duties now imposed upon it by
such power and function rs would per-
NIT the commissioners to act as arhitra-
tors between labor and capital Power
should also be distinctly conferred upon
this bureau to investigate the causes of
all disputes as they occur, whether sub
mitted for arbitration or not, SO that in
formation may always be at hand to aid
legislation on the subject when neces-
sary and desirable.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, April %, 1886