, 1886-04-23
CLEvELAND'S MESSAGE
To Congress on the Subject of
Labor Troubles.
Sugar Takes a Tumble on
Long Island.
Missouri Car and Foundry Men
Join the Strikers.
The President on the Labor Ques-

To The Senate and House of Represe,,
totires. The constitution imposes on tn,
president the duty of recommending tC
the consideration of congress from time L
time such measures as he shall Judge nee,
essary and expedient. | am so deeply i'm
pressed with the importance OF immedi.
ately aud thoroughly meeting the problem
which recent events and the present con
dition have thrust upon us in the devel-
opment of a settlement Of disputes arising
between our laboring men and their em-
ployers, that | am constrained to recon
mend 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 should
be regarded as especially entitled to
legislative care in a country which offers
TO all its citizens the highest attainment of
social and political distinction. Its work
ingmen cannot knowingly or safely be
considered as inevocably consigned to the
limits of a class and entitled to no attcn-
ton and allowed no protest against neg
lect. The laboring man, by an indispen-
sible contribution to our growth and pro-
gress, may well 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 interests
10 charge, and his reasonable demand
should be met in such a spirit of apprecia-
ton and fairness as to induce contented
and patriotic cooperation in achieving of
the grand national destiny.
While the real interests of labor are
not promoted by a resort to threats and
violent manifestations, and while those
who under pretext of an advocacy Of the
claims of labor wantonlY attack the rights
of capitol, and for selfish purposee, or
love Of disorder. SOW the seed of violence
and discomfort. should neither be encour-
aged nor conciliated. All legislation on
The subject should be calmly and delibcr-
ately undertaken, with no purpose of sat.
isfying unreasonable demands or gaining
partisan advantage. The present condi-
ton of the relations between labor and
capital are far from satisfactory. The dis
content of the employed is due in a large
degree TO the grasping and needless ex-
actions of employers and the alleged dis
elimination in favor of capital 1t must
also be conceded that the laboring men are
not always careful t avoid causeless
and unjustifable disturbance, though the
importance of better accord between
these interests is apparent. Ii must be
borne in mind that any effort in that di-
r%ection by. the federal government must
be greatly limited by constitutional ~restric-
ton. There are many grievances which
legislation BY congress cannot redress, and
many conditions which cannot by such
means be reformed. l am satisfied. how
ever, that something may be done under
federal authority to prevent disturbances
which SO often arise by disputes between
employer and employed, and which at
times seriously threaten the business inter
ests of the country.
In my opinion the proper method on
which 10 proceed is that Of voluntary ar
bitntiJn as a means Of settling these
difficulties; but suggest that instead of
arbitrators chosen in the heat of con-
ficting claims and after each dispute shall
arise there be created a commission Of
labor, of these members, who shall be
regular officers Of the government, charged
among other duties with the consider
ation and settlement, when possible, Of all
controversies between labor and capital.
The commission 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 use
fully with the questions which might be
submitted to them. If arbitntors are
chosen for temporary service, as each
case of dispute shall arise, expert
ence aud familiarity with much
that is involved in the question will
be lacking. Extreme partisanship and
bias will be publicly sought ~ either side,
and frequent complaints Of unfairness and
partially will be inevitable. The imposi.
ton upon the federal court Of a duty for
eign to the judicial function as the selec'
ton Of an arbitration IN such cases, is al
best OF doubtful propriety. The establish
ment by federal authority Of such Blu
resu would BIO a Just and sensible recogni
ton Of the value of labor, and of its RICH
TO be explained in the departments of thu
government So far a its conciliatorl
officers had relation to disturbances which
interfered with the transit and commerc'
between the states, its existence woul,
be justified under provisions o
the constitution which gives 10 con
gress power To regulate commerc'
with foreign nations and among the sew
eral states, and IN frequent disputes be
tween laborine men and their employer
Of less extent, and the consequence o
which are confined within state limits an,
threaten domestic violence. The inter
probation Of such a commission might b.
\ rendered upon the application Of leeis
/. l.f4.. - al. aa.ft "a t. at.l. ..u1a