Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-23
PRESIDENT AND TOILER.
A MESSAGE TO THE SENATE ON
THE LABOR QUESTION.


A Commission of Three to Act as Arbis
traitors Under the Buresu OF Labor Re.
Commended-Lsbor' Right TO ResOg-
milton at the Hands of the l. aw- NJ aking
Powers.
WASHINGTON, April 22.-A message
from the President relating to labor
troubles was laid before the Senate to-
day. When it had been read question
arose as to the committee to which il
could most appropriately be referred
whether the Judiciary Committee or tha
Committee on Education and Labor. II
was finally ordered printed and the ques.
tlon Of reference allowed to remain in
obeyarce. The message in full is as fols
lows:
To the Senate and HoWse Of ReDresentatipes:
The constitution imposes on the President
the duty OF recommending to the consideras
tlon OF Congress, from time TO time, euch
measures as he shall judge nece, sary and ex.
lcuent. am so deeply Impressed with the
Importance OF Immediately and thOughtfuly
meeting the problem which recent event ts and
the present condition have thrust upon u.s. in
Volvlng settlement Of disputes arising be-
tween our lAboriug men and their employers
that am constrained to recommend TO Cons
gress legislation upon this serious and press
ing 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 ehould
De regarded as especially enJItled to leg-
islative care. In country which
offers to all its citizens the highest attainment
OF ocial and political distinction, its works
lngmen cannot justly or safely be considered
and irrevocably consigned TO the limits of
class ana entitled 60 no attention. and allowed
no protest against neglect. The labOring man
rearing IN hishand an indispensable contribu-
ton to our growth and progress, may well in-
slst with manly courage and rs right, upon
the same recognition from those who make
our law as la accorded TO any other citizeu
having valuable interest IN charge, and hia
reasonable demand should be met in such q
spirit OF appreciation and fairness as 10 in@
duce contented and patriotic cooperation ia
the achievement of grand national destiny
ABOVE PARTISAN INTERESTS.
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 the claims Of lab0a
wantOnly attack the rights OF capital, and fOa
selfish purposes or love OF disorder SOW seeda
of violence and discomfort, should neither ha
encouraged nor cOnciliated Ali legislation
on the subject should be calmly aud dea
liberately undertaken. with no purpose Of
satisfying unreasonable demands or gaining
partisan advantage. The present conditioi
Of the relations between labor and capital arq
far from satisfactory. The discomfort OF the
employed is due in a large degree to tho
Rra+plng and needless eXactiOns of en-
pOyers and alleged discrimination in favor
Ot capital as an object Of governmental at en-
tion. IL must alsO be conceded that laborina
men are not always careful to avOid causes
less and unjusti0abl disturbance. Though
the importance OF better accord between these
Interests ~ appreciated, 10 must be borne ia
mind that any effort in that direction bv tha
Federal government must be greatly limited
by constitutional restrictions. There ara
many grievances which legislation bv Con-
gress cannot redress, and many conditions
which cannot by such means be reformed,
THE PRESIDENTS RECOMMENDATIONS.
l am satisfied, however. that something
may be done under the Federal authority to
prevent disturbances winch so often arise
from disputes between employer and en-
plOyed, and which at times seriously threaten
the business interests Of the cOuntry. and in
my opinion the proper theory upon which ia
proceed Is that Of voluntary Arbitration as a
means OF settling these difficulties, but I
suggest that instead OF arbitratOrs chosen
in the heat Of conflicting claims and
after esch 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 and settlement. when
possible. Of all controversies between labor
and capital. The commission thus Orga nized
would have the advantage of being a stable
body, aud its members, as they gained exDe-
rience, would constantly Improve In theil
ability to deal intelligently and use.
fully with questions which might ba
submitted to them. II arbtrators are choseu
for temporary service as each case OF dispute
arises, eXperienoe and familiarity with much
that u involved in the question will be lack
in2 extreme partlsaDship and bias viii ba
qualifications sought on either side, and fre-
quent com plants Of unfairness and psrtiality
will he inevitable. The imposition upon the
Federal Court OF the duty, foreign TO judicial
function as the selection OF an arbitrator In
such cases is at least OF doubtful propriety..
The establishment by Federal authority OF
such a bureau would be a just and sensible
recognition OF the value Of labor and OF its
right TO be represented In tho departments oa
the government.
JUSTIFIED BY THE CONSTITUTION.
So far as its conciliatory Offices had relation
to disturbances which interfered with transit
and commerce between States IT'S existence
would he justified undor the provisions OF the
constitution. which gives to Congress tha
power so regulate commerce with foreign
nations and among the several States" and
in the frequent disputes between laborlnm
men and their emplO' e3 Of less extent aud
consequence, many Of which are confined
within state limits and threaten DOMESTIC
violence, the interpOsition Of such commits
sion might he rendered upon application Of
the Lexislature or Executive Of the stats
under the const uti0nal provision which re-.
qures the general government ''to protect
each OF the states against domestic violence.n
II such a commission we're fairly organized
the risk Of loss Of popular support
and sympathy resulting from a refusal to
submit TO 50 peaceful an instrumentaldy
would cOnstrain both parties 90 such disputes,
g. invoke lts interference ard abide By its de-
clsion. There would also be good reason "a
hope that the verg existence OF such an agency
would invite application TO IL for advice and
counsel. frequently resulting In the avOidance
or contention and Misunderstanding if the
usefulness Of such a commission Is doubted,
because IL might lack power TO enforce It's
decision. much encouragement is derived
from the conceded good that has been accom-
plished by the railroad cOmmi issOns which
have been organized In many of the states,
which, having little more than advisory
power, have excited the most salutary infu-
ence IN the settlement Of disputes betweeR
conflicting interests.
THE LABOR BUREAU.
Bureau of LaNOr was established. and placed
IN charge OF the Commissioner OF Labor, who
is required ITO collect information upon tha
subject OF labor, its relations with capital the
hours Of labor and the condition or labOrlng
men ami women. and means OF promoting
their material. social, intellectual and moral
prosperity" The cDmmssion which | eug-
gest could easily be ongrafted upon the
bureau thus already organized, by inc
addition OF Two more commissioners.
ana by supplementing the duties now
i'm posed npon 10 bv such other powers ana
functions ~ would permit the commissioners
10 act as ARBITRATOR. when necessary. between
labor and capital under such limitations ana
uuon such oncasiOu ~ should be deemed
prnper aud useful Power should also be dis
tinctlv conferred on this bureau 70 invesu-
gate the causes OF al disputes as they occur,
whether snbnitt for arbitration or not, so
that Information may always be at hand to
aid legislation on the subject when necessary