New-York tribune., 1886-04-23
SUGGESTING A COMMISSION
THE PRESIDENT FAvORs ARBITRATION
A MESSAGE TO CONGRESS on THE LABOR QUESTION
A SENTENCE THAT CAUSED LAUGHTER
lBr rELEoRAPH TRIBUNE

MESSAGE TO CONGRESS on THE LABOR QUESTION
A SENTENCE THAT CAUSED LAUGHTER
lBr rELEoRArH TRIsUSEi
WAsHINGTON, April 22.-When Mr.. Cleve.
land Governor OF Sew-York he frequently ayoldod
vetong bin by baving It withdrawn by the branch NJ
the LEGISLATURE IN which 1t originated and more often
by getting members to change their bills to suit bis
views This often caused unpleasant comments that hs
sought TO control both the legislative and executive
functions OF the State Government. Recently he Ia.
made similar efforts here. but he finds members o, Com
grcss posed yield him than were incnher.
OF the Legislature His interference with legislation
particularly In regard to the tariff has been resented
and his views the question Of arbitration not
adopted by members of the House to whom lie commu
ncated them This have been the the sin.
gular message this subject which he sent today
| to both Houses OF Congress- Many members were IN.
charitable enough TO cOnstrue the message meaning
that he was already IN the field for denomination and
wished to make bid FOR the favor OF large class of
voters.
The House. after full debate passed bill the ques.
tlon which Is now before tho Senate. Several other
measures have been introduced. Under such crcum-
stances. tits unprecedented FOR President send in
message which practical notice TO he
does not approve measures pending before It, The mes
evidently. intended to Influence Senate in
considering the House bill. When the clerk began to
read 1t the Senators appeared to be astonished Tho
statement that working "cannot justly safely
De considered as rrevocaDly cOnsgne1 To the limits OF
class and entitled TO attention and allowed protest
against neglect caused ripple OF laughter all
around the Senate chamber members apparently
regarding 1t in the language OF Democrat
as claptrap" So far the Presidents recommends.
tion for National board of arbitration is concernedt
is the language almost that expressed by
Chauncey NJ Depew interview published In tho
local newspapers when Mr. Depew recently visited this
city The matter discussed in House, but that
body did not adopt the suggestions.
The following is the message In full:
To tie Senate and lfOuss Of Representatives.
The Consultation imposes on the Presiient tle duty OF
ndIng to the consideration OF Congress from
time to time such measures he shall Judge Necessary
aud expedient. am so deeply impressed with the n-
pottance OF immediately and thOughiuiy meeting tho
problem which recent events ami present condition
have thrust upon involving the settlement OF dis
putes arising between our laboring men and their
poyers. that am constrained to recommend to Con-
ress legislation upon this serious and subject.
Under our form OF Government the value OF labor
element OF National prosperity should be distinctly
be regarded especially entitled to legislative
In "A which offers all the citizens the highest
attainment Of social and political distinction. its work
ingmen cannot justly safely be considered irre-
vocably gred TO the limits Of class. and entitled
TO no attention and allowed no protest aGas neglect
The laboring man. bearing IN his hand an indispensable
contribution to growth and progress may we'll III
slst VIII manly cour'ge and as right upon the same
recognition from those who make laws, as j.
in charge: and his reasonable demand should IN
suea spirit of and farness as to induce
contenfed ad patriotic cooperation In the
While the real interests OF labor are not promoted by
a threats and violent manifest satons aEd while
tbo'e whO under the pretext or an advocacy Ot tho
claims OF labor wantony attack rights OF capital and
for selfish purposes. tho love of disorder. seeds
violence and discomfort should neither be
nor conciliaed All Legislation on the subject should be
calmly and deliberately undertaken with purpose ot
satisfying unreasonable demands or gaming partisan
present condition of the relations between labor
anu capital far from satisfactory The discomfort OF
the employed is due. In large degree To tue grasping
and neeGess exaetons r. Of employers ana the ALLEGED
mental attention. Ii must also be conceded that tho
ab0rng men are not always careful to avoid ciuscless
disturbance
OF better accord between these interests IL apparent
must be borne mind thatany effort In tlat direction
by the Federal Government must be greatly limited by
constitutional restrictions There are many grievances
which legislation by Congress cannot redress aud many
conditions which cannot by such means be reformed.
am satisfied, however. that something may be done
whcn often arise from disputes between employers
and the employed, and which AT times seriously threaten
the business interests OF the country; an IN my opinion
the theory which to proceed is that Of vol.
instead Of arbrators chosen in
the neat of conflicting claims and after each dispute
shall arise, there he created commission or labor
ssting OF three members. who shall be regular officers OF
the Government, charged among other duties with
BILE. OF all controversies between labor and cap
advantage Of being an able body. and its members
as they gained sxperience would constantly Improye
questions which might be submitted to them II arb
that is involved in the question will be lacking extreme
OIL ther side and requent complaints OF unfairness
The Imposition upon Federal court of duty, for
een to the Judicial functions as the selection o. an ar
priety. The establishment by Federal authority of
such o bureau would be a just ami sensible recosnt
sened in the departments OF the Government so far
Its eonclliaory offices shall have relation to disturb
which inte rfered with transit aad commerce be-
tween the States its existence would be justified. under
regas %
nations and among the several States And in the fire.
employers less extent the consequences which
confined thin state limits and threaten domestic
nla fha nfa nnf suph Ssin lnltrH Ht
be rendered. upon the application OF the Legislature
executive OF state under the constitutional provision
each OF the States against domestic Violence" IL
loss Of popular support and sympathy resulting froma
refusal to submit to so peaceful an instaInentaty.
lis Interference and abide by its decisions There would
also be good reason to nope that the very Of
and counsel. frequeuiy resulting IN the avoidance Of
contention and misunderstanding. II the usefulness OF
such commission is doubted because 1t might lack
power TO enforce its decisions, much ENCOURAGEMENT
ierived from the conceded good that has been accom-
plished by the railroad commissions which have bseu
Ted in many OF the states which havn5 Ilt,e
factory influence In the settlements OF disputes between
In july, 1854. by law of Congress. Bureau OF
Labor established and placed n charge of Commits
ipon subject OF labor, It's relations to capital the
lonrs of labor and the earning. Of lsborng men aud
a intellectual and prosperity" The coInnis-
which could EASILY be % snsasa hs %pSn % ss
more commissioners and by supplcmeniiug the duties
low imposed upon IL Dy suca otner powers ana lunc-
ions as would permit the commissioners ari.
when between labor and capital under
uch limitations and upon. such occasions as should be
eemed proper and useful.
Power should also be distinctly conferred upon this
ureau the OF all disputes they
ccur. whether submitted for arbitration not. that
nformaton may always be at hand TO Aid legislation on
lie subject when necessary and desirable.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Eaecutire Mansion, April 20. 1856.
Mr. HAZARDS RESIGNATION N0T ACCEPTED.
William Ii. Hazard president of the Brook
yD City Railroad Company, rendered his resignation
OF the company yesterday but they refused
o accept it. The ground OF the resignation hot