The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-04-29
SPECIAL MESSAGE.
The President Sends \ Special Message to
Congress on the Labor Question.

The President Sends q Special Message to
Congress on the Labor Question.
WASHINGTON, April 22.-The President
yesterday sent the following message TO
Congress:
To Ne Senate and House Of Representatives:
The constitution imposes on the President
the duty OF recommending to the considera-
ton of Congress from time to time such
measures as he shall judge to be necessary
and expedient L am so deeply impressed
with the importance of Immediately and
thoughtfully meeting the problems which
recent events and present conditions have
thrust upon US, involving the settlement OF
disputes arising between our laboring men
and their employers, that l am constrained
to recommend to Congress legislation upon
this serious and pressing subject. Under our
form OF government tho value OF labor
as an element of National prosperity
should be distinctly recognized. and the
welfare of the lahoring man should
be regarded as especially entitled
to legislative care. In q country which oilers
to all its citizens the highest attainment or
social and political distraction, It's working
men can not justly or safcly lee considered
rs inevitably consigned TO the limits OF
class and entitled to no atte ntion and allowed
no protest against neglect. The laooring
man, bearing in his hand an Indispensable
contribution TO our growth anG progress may
well insist with manly courage and as right
upon the Same recognition from those woo
make our laws. as is accorded 70 any other
citizens having 4 valuable interest IN charSe,
and his reasonable demands should be met IN
such spirit of appreciation and fairness as
to induce oontcnted and patriotic co-opera-
ton in the achievement Of q grand National
destiny.
NEED FOR LABOR LEGIsLATION.
While the real interests of labor are not
promoted by a resort to threats and violent
m ~ fhnST
the prcteXt of an advocacy of the claims OF
labor. wsntonly attack the rights of capital,
and for selfish purposes or the love OF d;sor-
der SOW seeds of violence and diSconLentr
should neither be encouraged nor conciiiated.
all legislation On the subject should be calmly
and deliberately undertaken, with no purpose
of satisfying unreasonable demands or ga n
ing partisan advantage. The present cOndl-
ton of the relations between labor and capi-
tai is far from satisfactory The discomfort
of the employed is due in q large degree to the
grasp ng and needless exactions OF employ
ers, and the alleged discrimination i'll favor
of capital is an object of Governmental at
tentiOn. 1t must also be conceded that the
labOrnC men are not always careful TO AVOID
cauSclcsS and uniustiflable disturbance
Though the Importance of Il better accord
between these interests Is apparent. II must
be borne i'll mind that any effort in that di-
rection by the Federal Government must be
greatly limited by constitutional restrictions.
There arc many grievances which legislation
by Congress can not redress and many cOndi-
tions which can not by such means hc &C.
formed. ! am satisfied, however, that some
thing may he done, under Federal authority,
to prevent the disturbances which so often
arise from disputes between employers and
the employed and which at times seriously
threaten tho business interests of the
country, ana in my opinion the proper the
ory upon which to proceed IS that OF voiun-
taTy arbitration a. the means or setting
these difficulties. But | suggest that instead
of arbtratOrs chosen in the heat Of conflict
ing claims ana after each dispute shall arise,
therc be created a commission of labor, con-
sisting of three members. who shall be rexu-
lar officers of the Government, charged.
among other duties, with the consideration
and settlement, when possible. Of all coHtrO-
verSicS between labor and capital. y COM
mission thus organized would have the adj
vantage OF being stable body and its NOM
ber.. as they gained experience, would
constantly improve in their ability to deal
intelligcntly and usefuly with the questions
which might he submitted to them.
THE PRESIDENTS SCHEMB.
IF arbitrators are chosen for temporary
service Us each case OF dispute arises, ex.
perience and familiarity with much that is
involved in the question Will be lacking. eN-
treme partisenShip and bias will be the quail
iiicatiOnS sought on either SIDE and frequent
complaints Of uufairncss and partialty will
ho inevitable. The imrOs ton upon = Federal
court OF Il duty foreign to the judicial func-
tiOn, as the selection of an arbitrator in such
cases, is at least of doubtful prOpricty. The
ests blishment by Federal authortv OF such
& bureau would be Il Just and sensible reCOg.
nitOn of the value of labor and OF its right
10 he represented IN the departments of the
Government. SO far as its concliatOry
offices had relation 10 Disturbances VIII ;ch
Intcrfcred with transit ami commerce he.
tween tho States, its existence would he
justified under the provisions Ot the cOnstitu-
ton, which gives to Congress the power
TO regulate commerce with foreign nations
and among the several States. In the fire.
Quent disputes between the laSCring men
and their employers. of less extent, aud the
of which are confined within
State limits and threaten domestic violence, /
the fnterpOSitiOn of such 4 commission might /
be tcndercd upon the application of the Leg
islature or Executive OF q State under the /
prOriSOn which requires the |
genera. Govcrnment 10 'prot'ct cAch or the
States against domestic violence" II such /
q commission were fairly organized the Sk |
or loss OF popular support and sympathy ]
resulting from refusal to submit to so
fair an inStrumentalitY would cODStrain "a !
both parties to such disputes to invoke 1
its interference and abide by its decisions !
There would also be good reason to hope that |
the very existence of Suoh an agency would /
invite appl cation to it for advice and ccun- !
sci, frequently resulting in the avoidance OF /
and misunderstanding. II the !
usefulness OF such COMMISSION is doubtful !
because IL might lack power 10 enforce its |
much encouragement is derived |
from the conceded good that has been nc /
By the railroad commissions |
which have been organized in many States !
which, having little moro than advisory power,
have oxcrted q most salutary influence IN the |
settlement OF disputes between conflicting
Interests.
An EXTESSION OF TIE LABOR BUREAU.
In July, by a law OF Congress. q bureau OF
ahOT was established and placed in charge
1r commissioner Of labor. who ia required
20 collect information upon the subject OF
sbor, itS relations with capital, the hours OF
abor, and the earnings or laboring men and
and tho means OF estimating their
Material social. intellectual and moral pros
leritv. Tho commission which I suggest
,Ould cas- ly he ongrartet upon tho
bureau thus already Organized by tho
iddit on OF two more commissioners |
lud by suppIementn2 the duties now
upon it by such other powers and
as would permit tho commits
ionerS to act as Grbitrators when necessary !
between lacor and capital, under such limi-
atiOns and upon such occasions "a should
'e deemed proper and useful. Power should
lsO be distinctly conferred upon this bureau
o investigate the causes of all disputes as
hey occur, whether submitted for arbitra-
ion or not, so that information may always
20 at hand to aid legis latiOn on the subject
ghen necessary and desirable.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
The VenturesOme Commissioner.
WASHINGTON April 23-Genpral Sparhs