The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1886-04-29
STANDING ADVERTISEMENTS.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

20 Congress Recommending Legislation
For the Formation of National Labor
Commission to Take Cognizance Of DIFF
ferences Arising Between Employer and
EmpIoye,
WASHINGTON, April 23.-The President
to-day sent the following message to
Congress upon the subject Of the labor
troubles:
To the Senate and House Of Repr1.1tdtires:
The constitution imposes on the Presldent
the duty of recommending to the considera-
ton Of Congress from time to time such
measures as he shalt judge necessary and
expedient
ance OF Immediately and thoroughly meet
ing the problem which recent events and
present condition have thrust upon US, In
volving the settlement of disputes rising be
tween the laborlnZ men ami their employ
ers, that am constrained to recommend 70
Congress legislation upon this serious and
pressing subject. Under our form of govern
mtnt, the value OF labor as an element OF
National prosperity should be distinct
ly recognized, and the welfare of the labor
ing man should be regarded as espe'
clally entitled to legislative care. In a coun'
try which offers to all its citizens the high
est attainment of social and political dis.
tnction, its worklngmen can not Justly or
safely be considered as irrevocahly 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
gGOwtl anu progress, may wen lnSlSt, Wltn
manly courage and as ri ht, upon the
same recognition from those who make our
laws as is accorded to any other citizen hav-
Ing IA valuable interest in charge and his
reasonable demand should be met In such
spirit OF appreciation and fairness as to In
duce a contented and patriotic co operation
In the achievement of grand National des-
tiny.
Whie the real interests of labor are not
promoted by a resort to threats md violent
manifestations. and while those who, under
the pretext of an advocacy OF the claims of
laDor. wantonly attack the rights of capital.
and for that selfish purpose or the love OF
disorder SOW seeds Of violence and dlscon.
tent should neither be encouraged nor con.
cilated, all legislation on the subject should
be calmly and deliberately undertaken, with
no purpose OF satisfying unreasonable de-
mands or gaining partisan advantage.
Tie present condition of the relations be-
tween labor and capital are far from salts
factory. The discomfort of the employed is
due in n large degree to the grasping and
needless exactions of employers and the
alleged discrimination in favor of capital Is
an object of Governmental attention. 1t
must also be concede that the laborlns
men are not always careful to avoid cause.
less and uniustifiable disturbances. Though
the importance of a better accord between
these interests is apparent, IL must be borne
in mind that anv effort in that direction by
the FedeI al Government must be greatly
limited by constitutional restrictions. There
are many grievances which legislation by
Congress can not redress, and many condi-
tioR- which can not by such means be re.
formed
may be done under Federal authority to pre-
vent the Disturbances which so often arise
from dispute, t and the
threaten the business interests of the coun-
try; and in my opinion the proper theory
upon which to proceed Is that of voluntary
arbitration as the means of settling these
difficulties. But suggest that instea1 OF ar
bitratOrs chosen in the heat conflicting
claims, and after each dispute shall arise
there be created commission of labor, con-
sistlng of three members, who shall be regu
among other duties, with the conside alton
and settlement, when possible, of all contro
verai : between labor and capital.
4 commission thus organized would have
the advantage of being stable body, and
its members as they gained experience
would constantly improve in their ability to
questions which might be submitted to them.
II arbitrators are chosen for temporary
perence and familiarity with much that is
involved in the question VIII be lacking,
extreme partisanshp and bias will be the
qualifications sought on either side. and
frequent complaints of unfarness and par
TALLY will be inev table. The imposition
upon Federal Court of duty foreign TO
the luditia function, as the selection or an
arbitrator in such cases, Is at least of doubt
ful propriety. The est adjustment by Federal
authority of such a bureau would be Just
and sensible recognition of the value OF
labor, and of its right to be represented in
the departments OF the Government.
So far as its conciliatory offices shall have
relation to disturbances which interfere
with transit and commerce between the
States its existence would be justified under
the provisions of the Constitution which gives
to Congress the power to regulate commerce
with foreign nations and among the several
States. Aud in the frequent disputes be-
tween the labOring men and their employ
ers, of less extent and the consequences OF
which are confined within State limits, and
threaten domestic violence, the interposi
tion of such a comm ssion might be ten.
dered, upon the application of the Legisla-
ture or Executive of Il State, under the CON
at tha
eral Government to protect" each State
"against domestic violence."
If such a commission were fairly organ.
iEed the risk of loss of popular support
and sympathy resulting from refusal to
submit to so peaceful an instrumentality
would constrain both parties to such dis
putes to invoke its interference and abide
by its decisions There would also be good
reason to hope that the very existence Of
such an agency would invite application to
1t for advice and counsel, frequently result
ing In the avoidance OF contention and mis-
underst anding.
Ii the usefulness of such n commission is
doubtful, because it might lack power to en-
force its decisions. much encouragement is
derived from the conceded good that has
been accomplished by the railroad com
missions which have been organized in
many of the States, which, having but lit
tie more than advisory power, have ex-
erted most salutary influence In the settle
ment OF disputes between conflicting inter
ests.
In July. 1891, by a law of Congress, a Blu.
feau OF Labor was established and placed in
charge of a commissioner of labor, who is
required to "collect information upon the
subject OF labor. Its relations with capital,
the hous of labor, and the earnings of
laboring men and women, and the means OF
promoting their material, social, intellectual
and moral prosperity"
The commission which I suggest could cas-
lily be engrafted upon the bureau thus al
ready organized by the addition of two more
commissioners, and by supplementing the
duties now imposed upon 1t by such other
powers and functions as would permit the
commissioners to act as arbitrators when
necessary between labor and capital, under
such limit ations and upon sucn occasions as
should be deemed proper and useful.
Power should also be distinctly conferred
upon this bureau to investigate the causes
of all disputes as they occur, whether sub
mitted for arbitration or not, so that infor-
nation may always be at hand to aid legis-
lation on the subject when necessary and
desirable.
SGROvER CLEVELAND.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, April p, 1885,
High-Handed Measure.