The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-05-04
EXECUTIVE COGN;ZANCE
Taken Of Existing Labor Troubles
in u Message to Congress-.

W NohS iSso ou Tue SuoleCl VI lhe laU u
troubles:
To the Senate and House of Representati' 'cs;
The Constitution imposes 90 the Prcsi.
dent the duty of recommending t, the
consideration of Congress from lime t,
time such measures as he shall Judge
necessary and expedient, and s, deeply
impressed tn the importance Of inme.
dstelv and thOuel fully meetIng the
problem which recent events and o pres.
ent condition have tlru,t upon US, in
voIving the settlement of disputes arising
hel weeu our lahoring men and tleif em.
ployers. that | am constrained to recon-.
mend to Congress legislation upon tIis
serioua and pressing suhject UJder our
form Of Government tue value Of labor
as an element OF na!ionsl prosperity
should hc distinctly recosniz d, and the
welfare OF the lahnfing man should he
regarded as especially entitled to legis-
Iative care. 10 a country which offers
% all cit zens The highest attainment
Gf social and political distinction. work.
ingmen cannot jl,tly or safely be Con.
sidered as consigned to the limits OF q
claas. and entitled to no attention end
allo we'd no protest against Neglect. The
lahor,ng man. bcariny in his hand an In
dispensahle contribution to our growth
and progress, may we'll insist, With manly
courage and as right, upon the same
recognition from those who make our
la VS.. ss is accorded to any other citi
zens having a valuable interest in charge
and his reasonable demsnd should be
met In such o spirit Of appreciation and
fairness as to induce cont nted coop.
GRAFTON in the achievement of grand
national destiny.
While the real interests of labor are
not promoted hy resort IT, threats ami
violent manifestations, and while those
who. under the pretpxt OF an advocacy
Of the claims of labor, wnnton!y attack
the rights nf capitol. and for selfish pnr.
poses, or the love Of disorder, SOW seeds
of violence and discomfort, should nei-
lhcr he encouraged nor conc,lated. All
legislation on the subject should be
calmly and deliberately undertaken, with
no purpose of satisfying unreasona able
demands for gaining partisan advantage.
The present condition of,she relat ons
be, ween labor and capital are far from
satisfactory. The discomfort OF the en-.
p,oyed is due in large degree to the
grasping and needless exactions of em.
pkoyers, and the alleged discrimination
IN favor of capital ss an object OF gov
ermental attention. l, mu.t also be con-
ceded tha, the lahoring men are not al-
ways careful to avoid causeless and un-
justi6able disturbance. Though the i'm
portance OF better accord between
these interests is apparent, it mnst he
borne in mind that any effort in that di-
rection by the Federal Government must
be greatly limited by constilu ional re-
stricions. There are many grievances
which legislation by Congress csnnot
redress, and many conditions which can.
not nv such means be reformed.
lam satisfied, no ~ever, that something
NAV be done, under Federal authority,
tn Lrevent the disturbances which so
often arise from disputes between en-
ployers and the employed, and which a.
Times seriously threaten the business ia
terests OF the country, and in my opin-
ion the proper theory upon which to
proceed is that Of voluntary arbitration
IS the means Of seis ing these difficulties
But suggest tia. instead Of arbltrstors
chosen in the beat OF conflicting claims,
and after each dispute shall arise, there
be created a commission of labor con-
sisting OF three members, who shall be
regular officers Of the Government.
charged among other duties with the con
sideration and settlement, when possible
of sll controversies between labor aud
capital. A commission thus organized
would have the advantage OF being o
stable body, and it's members, as they
esined experience, would constantly i'm
prove in their ability 10 deal lntslligently
and usefully with the questions which
might be submitted to them. II arbi
trstors are chosen for temporary service,
as each case OF dispute arises, experience
and familiarity with much that is involv-
ed In the question, will he wanting Ex-
treme partisanship and bias will he the
qualifications sought on either side, and
frequent complaints OF unfai!ness and
partially will be inevil liable.
The imposition upon q Federal court
of dutv foreign to the judicial function
as the selection of on arbitrator in each
case is at lesst doubtful proceeding
The establishment by Federal authority
Of snch bureau would he just and
sensible recognition OF the value OF la.
Dor, and cf its right to he represented
In the departments # the 6 vernment.
Sn far as i,s conciliatory Office had re-
la.ion to disturbances which irterfered
with transit and com nerce bet~een the
States, its existence would he justified
under the provisions OF The Constitution,
which gives to Congress the power to
regulate commerce ~ih foreign. nations
and among the several States.
And IN the frequent disputes between
laboripg men and their employers, Of
less extent and consequences Of which
are confined within State limita, and
threat ened domestic violence, the inter-
position OF such a com mission might be
rendered upon the application of the
Legislature or Executive Of State, un-
der the Constitutional provision which
required the general Government to
'protect" each of the States "against
domestic violence"
IF such commission we're fairly or
ganized the risk of loss of popular
support and sympathy resulting from a
refusal to submit to go peaceful an in-
strumentality would constrain both par
ties to such disputes. to invoke its in
reference and abide by is decisions
There would also be good reason t.
hope that the existence OF such com
mission would invite application to it
for advice and cohnse!, frequently re-
sulting in the avoidance Of contention
and misunderstanding If the usefulness
CT such q commission is doubtful he.
cause il might lack power to enforce its
decisions. much encouragement is de-
rived from the conceded good that has
been accomplished by the railroad COM
missions which have been organized in
- IA l.