The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-04-30
THE WORKMEN'S CAUSE.
President Cleveland in a Message to
Congress Suggests a Plan for the
Settlement of Strikes.
A aovERNMENT COMMISSION SUGGESTED.

A GOVERNMENT COMMISSION SUGGESTED.
WASHINGTON, April 22.-The president to-
day sent the following message to congress:
The constitution imposes on the president the
duty of recommending to the consideration of
congress, from time to time, such measures as
he shall judge necessary and expedient. lam
deeply impressed with the Importance Of imme-
diately and thoughtfullY meeting the problem
which recent events and a present condition
have thrust upon US, involving the settlement
of disputes arising between our laboring men
and their employers, that ! am constrained to
recommend to congress legislation upon this se-
rious and pressing subject. Under our form of
government the value OF labor as an element OF
material prosperity should be distinctly recog-
nized. and the welfare of the laboring man
should be regarded as especially entitled to leg
t~slattye care. In q country which offers TO all
its citizens the highest attainments of social
and political distinction, its workingmen can
not justly or safely be considered as irrevoca-
ply CONSUMED Unsigned ! to the limits Of a class
allowed no protest against neglect. The
lab0ring man, bearing In his hand an indispensa
bic contribution TO our growth and progress
may well insist with manly courage and as a
right upon the same recognition from those who
make our laws as is accorded to any other citizen
having a valuable interest in charge, and his
reasonable demands shcald be met In such a
spirit of appreciation and fairness as to induce
a contented and patriotic cooperation in the
achievement OF a 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 the pretext Of advocacy
OF the claims of labor wantonly attack the
rights of capital for selfish purposes, or the love
of disorder, sow seeds of violence and discon-
tent, should neither be encouraged nor concili-
ated, all legislation on the subject should be
calmly and deliberately taken, with no purpose
Of satisfying unreasonable demands or gaining
partisan advantage. The present condition of
the relations between capital and labor are far
from satisfactory. The discomfort of the en-
ployed u due ip q large degaee.t to the
go ASNTNn Ann ITEEn1 ES9 ny AfsrTOxYc
of employers and the alleged discrimination In
favor Of capital as an object OF government
attention 1t must also be conceded that the
laboring men are not always careful TO avoid
.causeless and unjustifiable disturbances. Though
the Importance OF a better accord between these
interests Is apparent, 1t must be borne in mind
that any effort in that direction by the federal
government must be greatly limited by consti-
tutional restrictions. There are many griev-
iances which legislation by congress cannot re-
dress, and many conditions which cannot by
such means be reformed. | am satisfied, how
ever, that something may be 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 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 diff
Suitfes. But i suggest that instead Of arbitra-
tors chosen in the heat of conflicting claims,
and after each dispute shall arise. there be Gre
ated a commission of labor, consisting of three
members, who shall be regular officers Of the
government, charged, among other duties, with
the consideration and settlement, when posi-
BILE, of all controversies between labor and cap
ital A commission thus organized would have
the advantage OF being a stable body, aud It's
members, as they gained experience. would con-
stantly improve in their ability 20 deal fntelll-
gently and usefnlly with the questions which
might be submitted to them. If arbitrators are
chosen for temporary service, as each case
of dispute arises. experience and familiarity
with all that is involved in the question Will be
lacking. extreme partisanship and bias will be
the qualifications sought on either side and fire.
quent complaints of unfairness and partia.lty
will be inevitable. The imposition upon a fed
eral court OF a duty foreign TO the judicial func-
ton as the selection OF an arbitrator in such
cases Is at least of doubtful propriety.. The es-
Establishment of federal authority of such a
bureau would be a Just and sensible recognition
of the value of labor, and OF its right to be repre-
sented In the departments OF the government.
So far as It's conciliatory offices shall nave relation
to disturbances which interferred with transit
and mme between the states, It's existence
would be justified under the provisions OF the
constitution which gives to congress the
POWER TO
with foreign nations and among the several
states; and in the frequent disputes between
the laboring men and their employers OF less ex-
tent. and the consequences OF which are con-
fined within state limits, and threaten domestic
violence, the interposition OF snch a commission
might be rendered upon the application OF the
stitutional provision which requires the general
government to "protect" each or the states
against domestic violence. Ii such q commits
sion were fairly organized. the risk OF a loss or
popular support and sympathy resulting from a
refusal TO submit TO so peaceful an Instrument
atty would constTain both parties TO such dis
putes to invoke it's interference and abide by It's
decisions. There would also be good reason TO
hope that the very existence OF sucn an agency
would invite application to IL Tor ADVICE anu
counsel, frequently resulting IN Inc av0iuance OF
contention aud MISUNDERSTANDING, II tne use
fulness of such a commission Is douDtful De-
cause IL might lack power TO enforce us decls-
ions, much encouragement Is derived from the
conceded good that has been accomplished by
the railroad commissions which have been or
ganized in many OF the states which, having
little more than advisory power. nave cxerteu
most salutary Influence IN the settlement OF
disputes between conflicting interests. IN July,
1884. by a law of congress a bureau OF labor was
established and placed in charge OF q commits
sioner of labor, who is required 70 collect IN
formation upon the subject OF labor, IFS reia-
lions with capital, the hours or LABOR ana
the earnings Of laboring men ana
ing their material, social. intellectual
and moral prosperity The commission which
II suggest could easily be engrafted upon the pu-
reau thus already organized. by the addition OF
two more commissioners, and by uppiementing
the duties now imposed upon 1t by snch other
mowers and functions as woald permit the conf
missioners to act as arbitrator. when necessary
between labor and capital, under sucn lmita-
tions and upon such occasions as snoulu DC
deemed proper aud useful. Power should also
be distinctly conferred upon this bureau &c IN
vestigate the Causes OF all disputes as they occur,
whether submitted for arbitration or not, SO tnat
nformatio may always he at hand TO ala iegis-
lation on the subject, when necessary ana aesir-
able. GROVER CLEsELAND's
The New Irish Land Bill.