Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-04-30

many conditions which cannot by such
means be reformed. I am satisfied, how
ever, that something may be done under
Federal authority to prevent the distur-
Dances which so often arise from the dis
putes 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
as the means of settling these difficulties.
But suggest that, instead of arbitrators
!, chosen in the heat of conflicting claims
and after each dispute shall arise, there
De created a commission Of labor consist
ing OF three members, who shall be regu-
lar officers OF the Government, charged,
among O6her duties, with the considera-
tion and settlement when possible. of all
| the controversies between labor and capt.
/ tai. The commission thus organized
would have the advantage of being sta
| BILE body. and it's members, as they gained
| experience. would constantly improve in
! their ability to deal intelligently and USE
fully with questions which might be sub
| mitted to them. If arbitrator are chosen
| for temporary service as each case of dis
| pute arises, experience and familiarity
with much that is involved in the ques-
| tiOn will be lacking; extreme partlsansnlp
and bias will be the qualifications sought
on either side, and frequent complaints OF
unfairness and partiality will be inevlta-
BILE; the imposition upon Federal courts
of duty foreign to the judicial function,
as the selection of an arbitrator IN such
cases, is at least OF doubtful proprlety.
The establishment by Federal authority
| of such bureau would be a just and SEN
sible recognition of the value of labor,
and Of Its right to be represented in the
| departments of the Government. So far
| as it's conciliatory offices had relation TO
| the disturbances which lnterfered with
transit and commerce between States its
existence would be justified under the
provision of the Constitution which gives
to Congress the power Ito regulate COM
merce with foreign nations and among
! the several States" and in frequent dis
putes between laboring men and their
employers of less extent and consequent
ces, all of which are confined within the
| State limits and threaten domestic VIC
lence, the interposition of such commits
sion might be rendered upon the appllca-
| ton of the Legislature or Executive OF
| the State under the constitutional pr0vls-
ion which requires the General Govern.
ment to s'protect" each of the States
against domestic violence.
| If such commission were fairly organic
ed the risk Of loss of popular support and
sympathy resulting from refusal to sub
nit to 80 peaceful an instrumentallty
would constrain both parties to such
disputes to invoke its interference and
abide by it's decisions. There would also
be good reason to hope that the very ex-
istence of such an agency would invite
the application to it for advice or 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 conceded good that
has been accomplished by railroad COM
missions which have been organized in
many of the States. which, having little
more than advisory power, have exerted
the most salutary influence in the settle
ment of disputes between conflicting in
terests. In July, 1884, by law of Con-
and placed in charge of the Com missioner
of Labor, who Is required to ''co!lect infor-
nation upon the subject of labor, its
relations with capital, hours of labor. and
earnings of laboriDg-men and women, as a
means Of promoting their material, social,
intellectual, and moral prosperity" The
commission which [ suggest, could IeSsily
J be engrafted upon the bureau thpssja lready
organized, by the addition 81 two more
commissioners and by sp5plementing the
duties now imposed upon IP5n it by such other
powers and functions as would permit the
coAmlsslonegs to act as arbitrators when
necessary petween labor and capital under
sucn llm!!..ations and upon such occasions
as s9huld be deemed proper and useful
I9&er should also be distinctly conferred
J>upon this bureau to investigate the causes
| of all disputes as they occur, whether SUBJ
mjttP6 for arbitration or not. 80 that the
! information may always be at hand to aid
| legislation on the subject when necessary
and desirable.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion. April %, 1885.