The Wilmingtonian., 1886-04-24
For Br&ad-A Stone.

The New York Times is in extreme trepl-
dation over the pieture of Congress taking
official cognizance Of the labor troubles.
Messrs. Morrison Reed and Curtain are
called dangerous demagogues because they
invoked Federal investigation of the matter.
The argument is that Congress not being
an administrative body it cannot promise
help to those who consider themselves ag-
grieved, namely, the Knights of Labor-that
the Congressman referred to, and others who
have taken part in the debate upon this
question have by direct implication given
the Knights of Labor the idea that Congress
can and will see their grievances redressed.
Further, the Times argument is that the up
shot of any contemplated legislation can only
be Intellectual and thereupon the millions
representing labor in this country will con-
sciously or unconsFpusly vent their disap-
pointment, with whatever logic they may,
upon the Constitution, thereby spreading
abroad Throughout the length and breadth
of the land a dangerous dissatisfaction and
questioning of the Constitution
The Times argument is that the Congress-
men referred to are out of order in present.
ing the case of the Knights to the House.
But why should that be wrong. Labor
already claims that thepresent laws are inef-
ficient 1t is in order then to present the
case to the law makers not to the judiciary
or administration. The House or Senate are
the fitting hearers for such petition of gricv-
ance. Either assembly is properly adapted
for discussion of the merits of the question.
Congress can take cQgnizance of the matter
and initiate action upon it should such action
be deemed judicious.
Any action of the Knights of Labor initia-
ting in such region will be looked upon by
the nation at large as a recognition by the
Knights of the advisabllity of following con
servatiye and constitutional methods in their
work. This preliminary ventilatiDg Of the
question in the highest assembly of the peo-
pie is worthy and most judicious introduc-
tion of the matter to any definite and final
action. Such a course is very wrongly, and
carelessly, dubbed demagogsm On the
contrary it reveals most careful foresight and
demonstrates a most praiseworthy wish, on
the part OF those who consider themselves
aggrieved, of full and public ventilation OF
all phases of the question.
1t is true Congress cannot Immediately act
but tie sense of the Houses can be obtained
Present Fedorl.. i aSs'as,- -is IL, the hands o
the administration, but even that, we appre
hend, will be modified under an emergency
with more facility aud direetness, if it bt
known that Congressional expression ha'
taken certain definite direction.
Is this country tim7rous of touching it,
Constitutional code? Ifthe Constitution need
, modification, needs it in favor Of the masses
there need be in the United States no timor
business upon the threshold. This is govern
ment for the people, not for class Across
the Atlantic, in England, there is fear anc
repidation-properly enough. For there, a
: regards the Tdison d'etre of Gadstones's new
OF class, landlordsm, to overcome a clas
, who hold undue power to the deprivation o
4 the just rights of the masses. Here on tn
: contrary, all men are equal. Yet an equal
well defined class, without any preseriptiv
l right such as historical vested right,as it ha
n existed for centuries in the British Isles
a have within few short decades appeare
q and taken root. Whether their appearance
, is to be ascribed to the condition Of our tai
y iff laws, whether to inefficient land laws
q whether to criminal laxness in the executiV
o of past years. is not the question We onl
y know that such class exists and that tn
) masses are suffering through that fact.
J. Is not Congress able to meet that problem
v Our laws it appears are without that power
II For all public lauds are stolen Monopol
,e sweeps up, its capacious NAV the earning
II of the masses who arc left. almost withou
= the necessares of life Is there no proyi'
q ion in the Constitution to meet this problem
j 1t does not do at this emergency to tell tt
o Knights Of Labor not TO agitatate. Thc
: understand the premises as well as those {
If the opposite side They are not an unintel
Of gent b1dy. They are Americans. Whc
/. they ask for bread they must not be given
I'd stone @
"
= Amusements.
9 All the Grand Opera House, the bill
ne next week (Easter week. is filled by t
of Hemple Comedy Company with a dout
ly represt ntation each night. The popui
: comedian Mr.. Sam Hemple supported by