, 1886-04-29

which offers to all Its citizens the
| highest aim of social and political
distinction. Its workingmen cannot
Justly OF safely he considered as un-
| reasonably consigned to the limits of
| acts and entitled to no attention and
allowed no protest against neglect.
| The labOring men, bearing III their
hands an Indispensable contribution
10 our growth and progress, may all
insist with manly courage and right
upon the same recognition FROM those
who make our laws as IS accorded to
any other citizen having valuable in
terests, and should be met in such d
spirit Of appreciation and fairness as
| to induce cOntented
PATRIOTIC COOPERATION
In the achievement of grand ma
tiOnal destiny While the real in
terests of labor are not promoted by
resort to threats and violent mani
festatiOns, and while those who, un
der the pretext of advancing the
claims Of labor, want only TO attack
the rights OF capital, for selfish pur-
poses or love OF disorder, SOW the
seeds Of violence and discomfort,
should neither be encouraged nor
conciliated. All legislation on the
subject should be calmly and delib-
erately undertaken. with no purpose
of satisfying unreasonable demands
or gaining a partisan advantage. The
present condition of the relations be-
tween labor and capital are far from
satisfactory. The discomfort of the
eInployed in due, in large degree,
to the grasping and needless exac-
tions of employers and alleged dis
examinations, III favor of capital, as
objects Of the governments atten
ton. 1t must also be conceded that
the laboring men are not always
careful to avoid causeless and IN
ljustihable disturbance. Though the
Importance of better accord between
these interests is apparent, it must
be borne in mind that any effort in
that direction by the federal govern
ment must be greatly limited by
constitutional restrictions. There
are many grievances which legisla-
ton by congress cannot redress and
many conditions which cannot by
IsUch means, be reformed / am sat
ISned, however, that
SOMETHING MAY BE DONE
Under the federal authority to pre-
vent the disturbances which often
arise by disputes between the en-
pioyer and employed, and which at
times seriously threatens the business
interests of the country. In my
lOpinion the proper theory on which
to proceed is that of voluntary arbi-
tratiOn IS means of settling these
difficulties; but l suggest that, in
stead of arbitration by committee
chosen in the heat of conflict to set
tie the claims and after each dispute
shall arise, there be created a COM
mission of labor, consisting of three
members, who shall be regular off
GERS of the government charged,
among other duties, with the consid-
Grafton and settlement, when possible
OF all controversy, between labor and
capital The commission, thus or
ganized would have the advantage of
being stable body and its members,
as they gain experience. would con-
stantly improve their ability to deal
successfully with TIE questions which
might be submitted to them. If ar
bitrators are to be chosen to do tenn
Iporary service, in each case where a
dispute arises, the experience and
familiarity with much that is involv
ed will be lacking and extreme par
tisanship and bias will be the qualifi-
cation sought on either side and fre-
Iquent complaints of unfairness and
lpartiality viii lead to the inevitable
imposition on the federal court of
duty foreign to the Judiciary fune-
tons, as the reasons for action in
such cases are at least of doubtful
Ipropriety. The establishment by fed
eral authority of such bureau would
be Il just and sensible recognition of
the value of labor and it's right to be
| represented ia the departments of
the government. SO far as its con
lciliatory offices had reason to quiet
the disturbances which interfered
with the transit and commerce be-
tween roads, its existence would be
justified under that
PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION
" hich gives TO congress the power
to regulate commerce with foreign
Inaions and among the several states
And IN these frequent disputes be-
tween laboring men and their en-
ployers, the extent and consequences
OF which are confined within the state
limits, and which threaten domestic
violence, the interposition of such a.
iccmmlttee might be rendered upon
the application of the Legislature or
the executive OF the state, under the
constitutional provisions, which re-
Iquires the general government to
protect each of tho states against do
mestic violence. If such commits
sion Were fairly organized, the risk
OF loss OF popular support and sym
pathy which would result from a re-
fusal to submit to peaceful instru-
mentality, would constrain parties in
such disputes to invokes its interior
ence and abide by its decision There
would also be good reason to hope
that the very existence of such an
agency would invite application to
1t for advice and council. frequently
resulting in the avoidance Of conten-
ton and misunderstanding. If the
usefulness of such commission is
doubtful, because it might lack pow
81 to enforce its decisions, much en-
couragement may be derived from the
conceded good that has been accom-
plished by the railroad commissions.
which were organized In many Of the
states, and which, having little more
than advisory powers, have exerted
i MOST sALUTARY INFLUENCE