The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1886-04-29
CLEVELAND on LABOR .
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT REC
COMMENCING A FEDERAL COM
MISSION OF ARBITRATION.

ANOhR VO-NoS SOlV % iliNpSdSO w SOll-
gress on the subject Of the labor
troubles The message in full is as
follows:
To THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES The Constitu-
ton imposes on the President the
duty of recommending to the con-
sideration Of Congress from time to
time such measures as he shall Judge
necessary and expedient. | am so
deeply impressed with the importance
of Immediately and thoughtfully
meeting the problem which recent
events and present condition have
thrust upon us, involving the settle
ment of disputes arising between our
laboring men and their employers,
that | am constrained to recommend
to Congress legislation upon this Sc
rious and pressing subject, Under
our form of government the value OF
labor as an element of national pros
perity should be distinctly recognized
and the welfare Of the laboring man
should be regarded as especially en-
titled to legislative care. In q coun-
try which offers to all its citizens the
highest attainment of social and
political distinction its workingmen
cannot justly or safely be considered
as irrevocaA y consigned to the limit:
of class ID entitled to no attention
and allowe | no protest against neg.
l0ct. The aboring man, bearing in
his hand an indispensable contri
button to our growth and progress
may well insist with manly courage
and as a right, upon the same recog
milton from those who make our laws
as is accorded to any other citizen,
having valuable interest in charge
and his reasonable demand should bt
met in such spirit of appreciation
and fairness as to induce contente(
and patriotic cooperation in tht
achievement of grand national des
tiny.
UNSATISFACTORY RELATIONS.
While the real interests of labor arr
not promoted by resort to threat
and violent manifestations, and whilt
those who, under the pretext of al
advocacy Of the claims OF the labor
wantonly attack the rights Of capital
and for selfish purposes or the low
OF disorder sow seeds of violence ant
discomfort should neither be encour
ed nor conciliated, all legislation OF
the subject should be calmly and de
liberately undertaken, with no pur
pose of satisfying unreasonable de
mands or gaining partisan advantage
The present condition of the relation
between labor and capital are far iron
satisfactory. The discomfort of th
employed is due, in large degree t
the grasping and needless exaction
OF employers and the alleged discrin
ination in favor of capital is an Ok
ject Of governmental attention.
must also be conceded that the labor
ing men are not always careful t
avoid causeless and unjustifable di,
turbance.
Though the Importance OF bette
accord between these interests is az
parent, it must be borne in mind tbs
any effort in that direction by th
Federal Government must be great
limited by Constitutional restriction
There are many grievances which los
islation by Congress cannot redrei
and many conditions which cannot b
such means be reformed. / am sati
fed, however, that something may
done under Federal authority to pr
vent the disturbances which so ofte
arise from disputes between employee
: and the employed, and which at tim,
, seriously threaten the business inte
t ests OF the country and in my OPT
, ion the proper theory upon which
proceed is that of voluntary arbitr
ton as the means of settling these di
fculties. But suggest that instei
of Arbitrators chosen in the heat
conflicting claims and after each d
| pute shall arise, there be created
l Commission of Labor, consisting
+. three members, who shall be regul
Q officers of the Government, charg
e among other duties with the considC
\ alton and settlement, when possib
t of all controversies between labor al
: capital
: A COMMISSION WITHOUT BIAS.
A commission thus organized wou
: have the advantage of being a stall
r body and its members, as they gain
. experience, would constantly impro
s. in their ability to deal intellightly a
. usefully with the questions that mig
J. be submitted to them. If arbitratC
<. are chosen for temporary service
., each case Of dispute arises experier
3 and familiarity with much that is