The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1886-04-27
The President Sends i'm Il Message
Relating TO the Labor
Troubles.
Jay Gould Before the Congress
SiOnal Investigating Com
mittee Yesterday.
ThePresident's Views.


dent the duty of recommending to the con-
sideration of congress, from time to time,
such measures as he shall Judge necessary
and expedient am so deeply impressed
with the importance of Immediately and
thoughtfully meeting the problem which
recent events and present condition have
thrust upon us, involving the sentiment of
dispute arising between our laboring men
and their employers, that | am constrained
to commend to congress legislation upon
this serious and pressing subject. Under
our form of government the value OF labor
as an element of national prosperity
should be distinctly recognized, and the
WELFARE OF THE LABORING MAN
be regarded as especially entitled to legis-
lative care. In country which offers to
all its citizens the highest attainment of
social and political distinction, It's work
ingman cannot Justly or safely be consider
ed as consigned to the limits of a class, and
entitled to no attention, and allowed no
protest against neglect. The laboring man,
be: r ng in his hand an indispensable con-
tribution to our growth and progress, may
well insist with manly courage,
and as right, upon the same
recognition from those who make
our laws as is accorded to any other
citizens having valid interest in charge,
and his .asonable demand should be met
in such spirit of appreciation and fair
ness as to induce contented 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 manifestation, and
while these who, under the pretext of an
advocacy of the claims of labor wantonly
attack the right of capital and for selfish
purpose or the
LAVE OF DISORDER,
sow seeds of violence and discomfort
should neither be encouraged nor concil-
lated, and all legislation on the subject
should be calmly and deliberately under
taken, with no purpose OF satisfying un-
reasonable demands or gaining partisan
advantages.
The present condition of the relations
between labor and capital is far from salts
factory. The discomfort of the employed
is due, in large degree, to the grasping
and needless exactiOns of employ
ers, and the alleged discrimina-
ton in favor OF capital is
an object of governmental attention. 1t
must also be considered that the laboring
men are not always careful to avoid cause
less and uniusti6able disturbance. Though
the Importance of better accord between
these interests is apparent, 1t 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 legisla-
ton by congress cannot redress and many
conditions which, by such means,
CANNOT BE REFORMED.
am satisfied, however. that something
NAV be done under federal authority to
preyent the disturbances which so often
arise from disputes between employers and
the employed, and which at this time
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 difficulties. But
suggest that instead of arbitration
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 settlement, when
possible, of all controversies between labor
and capital. A committee thus organized
would have the advantage of being a stable
body. and Its members, as they gained ex-
perience, would constantly improve in
their ability to deal intelligently and nse-
fully with the questions which
MIGHT BE SUBMITTED
to them. If arbitrator are chosen for
temporary services, as each case of dispute
arises. experience and familiarity with
much that is involved in the question will
be lacking. Extreme parisanship and bias
will be the qualifications sought on either
side. and frequent complaints of unfairnes-
and partiality will be inevitable. The im'
position upon federal court of a duty
foreign to the judicial function as the
selection of an arbitration In such cases
is at least of doubtful propriety
The establishment by federal authority OF
such bureau would be a just and sensible
recognition of the value of labor and it:
right to be represented in the depart
ments of the government So lar as IT
couciliatory offices have relation to disturb
ances which interfered with transit anC
commerce between the states, Its existenc'
would be justified under the provisions o
the constitution, which gives to congress
the power to regulate commerce with for
eiep nations and among the several states
and in
THE FREQUENT DISPUTES
between the laboring men. Their EN-
nloyers of less extent and the consequence
of which are confined within state limit
and threaten domestic violence. The in
terposition of such a commission Nigh
be rendered upon the application OF IN
der the constitutional provisions which re
0uire the general government to protect
each of the states against domestic VIC
Ience. If such a commission was fairl.
organized the loss of popular support ant
sympathy resulting from refusal to sui
Ts;t to so peaceful an instrumentalit
would constrain both parties to such di;
mites to invoke Its interference and abid