The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-04-29
A COMMISSION OF LABOR.
The President Sends i'll Il Message With
that Suggestion.

that Suggestion.
WASHINGTON, April 22.-The Presi.
dent to day sent TO Congress message
calling attention to the gravity of the.
existing situation Of the labor question
throughout the entire country, express
ing the opinion that the proper theory
upon which to proceed is that Of volun-
tary arbitration as means of settling
the difficulties described, and suggesting
that there be created commission of
labor, consisting of three members, who
shall be regular officers of the govern
ment, charged, among other duties, with
the consideration and settlement, when
possible, of all controversies between
labor and capital.
The message in full is as follows:
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives: The Constitution imposes
on the President the duty of recommend.
ing to the consideration of Congress,
from time to time, such measures as he
shall judge necessary and expedent. l
am so deeply impressed with the impor-
tance of Immediately and thoughtfully
meeting the problem which recent events
and the present condition have thrust on
us. involving the settlement of disputes
arising between our laboring men aud
their employers, that am constrained to
recommend to Congress legislation on
this serious and pressing subject. Uudev
or~ form of government, the value of
labor as an element Of national prosperi.
ty should be distinctly recognized, and
the welfare Of the laboring man should
be regarded as especially entitled to leg.
islatve care. In country which offers
to all its citizens the highest attainment
of social and political distinction, its
workingmen cannot justly or safely be
considered as irrevocably consigned to
the limits of class and entitled to no at.
tention and allowed no protest against
neglect. The laboring man, bearing in
his hand an indispensable contribution
to our growth and progress, may we'll
insist, with manly courage and as right,
upon the same recognition from those
who make our ..ws as is accorded to any
other citizen having valuable interest
in charge. and his reasonable demand
should be met in such spirit of appre-
citation and fairness as to induce a con.
tented and patriotic cooperation in the
achievement of grand national destiny.
While the real interests of labor are
not promoted by resort to threats and
violent manifestations, and while those
who under pretext of an advocacy Of
claims of labor, wantonly attack the
rights of capital, I'd for selfish purposes,
or love of disorde SOW seeds of violence
and discomfort, should neither be encour-
aged nor conciliated. All legislation on
the subject should be calmly and deliber
ately undertaken, with no purpose of
satisfying unreasonable demands or gain
ing partisan advantages. The present
condition of the relations between labor
and capital are far from satisfactory.
The discomfort of the employed is due,
in large degree, to the graspiug and
needless exactions of employers, and
alleged discrimination in favor of capital
as an object of governmental attention.
1t must also be conceded that laboriDg
men are not always careful to AVOID
causeless and unjusti6able disturbance.
Though the importance of better accord
between these interests is apparent, it
must be borne in mind that an effort in
that direction by the federal government
must be greatly limited by constitutional
restrictions. There are many grievances
which legislation by Congress cannot re.
dress and many conditions which cannot
by such means be reformed.
I am satisfied, however, that something
may be done, under federal authority, to
prevent disturbances which 80 often arise
from disputes between employers and
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 rs o means of
settling these difficulties. But I suggest
that, instead of arbitrators chosen in the
heat of conflicting claims, and after each
dispute shall arise, there be created a
commission Of labor, consisting Of three
members, who shall be regular officers of
the government, charged, among other
duties, with the consideration aud set
tlement, when possible, of all controver.
sizes between labor and capital. A COM
mission thus organized would have the
advantage of being stable body, and its
members az they gained experience
would constantly improve in their ability
to deal ntelligently and usefully with
questions which might be submitted to
them. IF arbitrators are chosen for tenn
porary service, as each case of dispute
arises, experience and familiarity with
much that is involved in the question
will be lacking. Extreme partisanship
and bias will be qualification sought on
either side, and frequent complaints of
unfairness and partiality will be inevita-
BILE. The imposition upon federal court
of duty, foreign to its judicial function
as the selection of an arbitrator in such
cases, is at least of doubtful propriety.
The establishment by federal authority
of such q 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 conciliatory Offices had arelation to
disturbances which interfered with tran.
sit and commerce between the States, its
existence would be justified, under the
provisions Of the constitution, which
gives Congress the power 'to regulate
commerce with foreign nations and
among the several States," and in fre.
queut disputes between laboring men and
their employers, of less extent, and the
consequences of which are confined
within State limits and threaten domestic
violence, the interposition of such
commission might be rendered upon ap.
plication of a legislature or the executive
of State under the constitutional pro-
vision which requires the general govern.
ment to "protect" each Of the States
against domestic violence. If such a
commission were fairly organized, the
risk of loss Of popular support and sym.
pathy resulting from refusal 10 submit
TO so peaceful an instrumentality would
constrain both parties to such disputes
to invoke its interference and abide by
its decision. There would also be q good
reason to hope that the very existence of
such an agency would invite application
to it for advice and counsel, frequently
resulting in the avoidance of contention
and Misunderstanding.
If the usefulness of such commission
is doubted because it might lack power
to enforce its decisions, much encourage
ment is derived from the conceded good
that has been accomplished by railroad
commissions, which have been organized
in many of the States, which having a
little more than advisory power, have