The clarion., 1886-04-28
Cleveland on the Labor Troubles.
He SUGGESTS THAT COMMISSION OF La.
BoR BE CREATED TO SETTLE ALL DIS
PUTEs.


He SUGGESTS THAT COMMISSION OF La |
BoR BE CREATED TO SETTLE ALL Dis
PUTEs.
WAsHISGToS, April 22.-The President |
to-day sent message to Congress on THE |
subject of labor troubles 1t is as follows
To the Senate and House Of Representatives:
The Constitution imposes on the Presi- |
dent 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 i'm
portance OF Immediately and thoughtfully
meeting the problem which recent events
and present condition have thrust upon
US, involving the settlement OF disputes
arising between our labOring men and
their employers, that / am constrained 10
recommend to Congress legislation upon
this serious and pressing subject. Under
our form OF government, The value OF labor
as an element of national prosperity should
be distinctly recognized and the welfare of
the taboring man should be regarded as
especially entitled to legislative care. In
country which offers TO all its citizens the
highest attainment of social and political
UiSAihGtiHa2s itS hoFktH2iucH GdDlOt il-lif
or safely be considered as irreyocably con-
signed to the limits OF class, and entitled
to no attention and allowed no protest
against neglect.
The laboring man, bearing in his hand
an indispensable contribution to our
growth aud progress, may well insist with
manly courage and as right upon the
same recognition from those who make
our laws as Is accorded to any other citi-
zens having valuable interest in charge
and his reasonable demand should be met
in such spirit OF appreciation and fairness
az to induce a contented and patriotic
cooper .tion in the achievement OF a grand
national destiny.
While the real interests ol LABOR are not
promoted by a resort to threats and violent
manifestations, and while those who, under
the pretext of an advocacy OF the claims
of labor, wantonly attack the rights Of
capital and for selfish purposes, or the love
of disorder, SOW seeds of violence and dis
content, should neither be encouraged mol
conciliated, all legislation on the subiec
should be calmly and deliberately under
taken, with no purpose of satisfying unrea
sonable demands or gaining partisan ad
vantage.
The present condition of the relation
between labor and capital are far frou
satisfactory. The discomfort OF the em
ployed is due in a large degree to tn
grasping and needless exactions of EN-
ployers, and the alleged Discrimination
in favor OF capital as an object OF Govern
mental attention. 1t must also be concede'
that the laboring men are not always care
ful to avoid causeless and uniustitabl
disturbance. Though the importance of
better accord between these interests
apparent, it must be borne in mind tina
, any effort in that direction by the Fedora
Government must be greatly limited b
! constitutional restrictions. There are man
| grievances which legislation by Congress
: cannot redress, and many conditions whic
cannot by such means be reformed.
| am satisfied, however, that somethin
may be done, under Federal authority, t
e prevent the disturbances which so ofte
! arise from disputes between employer
D and the employed, and which at time
. seriously threaten the business interests
5 the country and, in my opinion, th
e proper theory upon which to proceed
e | that of voluntary arbitration as the mear
Y of settling these difficulties. But | sugge'
t that instead of arbitrators chosen in tn
g heat OF conflicting claims, aud after eac
e dispute shall arise, there be created con
t mission OF labor, consisting of three men
d bers, who shall be regular officers of tt
e Government, charged, among other dutie
e with the consideration and settiemen
n when possible, of all controversies betwee
g labor and capital. A commission thus o.
e ganized would have the advantage of bein
|. an able body, and It's members, as the
y gained experience, would constantly in
g prove in their ability to deal intelligent
II and uSefully with the questions whic
i might be submitted to them. Ii arbitri
e tors are chosen for temporary service
e each case of dispute arises, experience an
e familiarity with much that is involved
: the question will be lacking, extren
partisanship and bias will be the qualii
cations sought on either side, and frequeI
complaints of unfairness and paItialit
!, will be inevitable The impositio
5 upon Federal court OF dut
o foreign to the judicial function as the s.
:, lection of an arbitrator in such cases is
j least of doubtful propriety. The estal
lishment by Federal authority of such
bureau would be a just and sensible reco,
milton of the value OF labor, and of its rigl
to be represented in the departments Of tt
| Government.
So far as its conciliatory offices sha
e have relation to disturbances which inte
o States, its existence would be justified III
+ der the provision of the Constitution whic
o gives to Congress the power to regula
d commerce with foreign nations and amor
e the several States" And in the frequel
e disputes between the laboring men an
i their employers of less extent and the col
l. sequences of which are confined with
q State limits, and threaten domestic vi
leuce, the interposition of such commi
IT sion might be rendered, upon the applic
n ton of the Legislature or Executive of
l. State under the constitutional provisiC
It which requires the general Government
g protest. e&sa. OF the States " against d
IS mestic violence"
n II such commission were fairly orga
s. lied the risk of a loss of popular suppo
1t and sympathy resulting from a refusal
t submit to so peaceful an Instrumental
e would constrain both parties to such di
Il putes to invoke its interference and abiC
e BY its decisions. There would also
.e good reason to hope that the very existen
Y of such an agency would invite applicable
It to it for advice and counsel, frequent
resulting in the avoidance of contentic
: and misunderstanding.
It If the usefulness of such commission
e doubted, because it might lack power
utC1sIOilS. liluCI SHCOuEdSene
V is derived from the conceded good that h
e been accomplished by the railroad con
Is missions which have been organized
J. many OF the States, which, having lit
IS more than advisory power, have exerted
s, most satisfactory influence in the settl
l. ments OF disputes between conflicting inte
d ests.
d In July, 1894, by a law of Congress
.r Bureau of Labor was established al
W placed in charge of a Commissioner
is Labor, who is required to s'collect inform
o ton upon the subjects of labor, its relation
lie to capital, the hours of labor, and Il
lie earnings OF laboring men and women, al
s. the means of promoting their materis
A social, intellectual and moral prosperity
N The commission which | suggest eon
d easily be engrafted upon the bureau thus a
D ready organized by the addition of two mo
er Com missioners and by supplemenling Il
of duties now imposed upon it by such 9th
At powers and functions as would permit IL
Commissioners TO act arbitrators wht
= necessary between labor and capital und
re such limitations and upon such occasion
'e as should be deemed proper and useful
e Power should also be distinctly conferre
upon this bureau to investigate the caus
l. OF all disputes as they occur, whether su
b mltted for al bitration or not. so that il
1t formation may always be at hand to al
IS legislation on the subject when necessa,
l. and desirable.
Is GROVER CLEVELAND.
" EXECUTIVE MANSION, April %, 1886.
. DECISIONS OF SUPREME COUR,
. REPORTED FOR THE CLARION BY c.
e CAMPBELL.
MONDAY, April 26, 1886.