The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-04-28

Legislative Care.
WAsHrNaToN, April 22.-The President to. :
day sent message to Congress on the sub
feet of the labor troubles in substance ss
follows:
To THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REpREsExT-
AT1vEs: Under our form of government
the value Of labor as an element OF national
prosperity should be distinctly recognised,
and the welfare Of the laboring man should
be regarded as especially entities to legis-
tive care In country which offers to all
its citizens the highest attainment Of social
and political distinc ion, its workingmen
can not justly or safely be considered as ir-
revocably consigned to the limits Of
lowed no protest against neglect. The
laboring. man, bearing in his hand an in
dispensable contribution to our growth and
progress, may we'll insist, with manly
ognition from those who make our laws,
as is accorded to any other citizens aving
a valuable interest in charge; and his
reasonable demand should be met in such a
spirit of appreciation and fairness as to in
duce q contented and patriotic cooperation
in the achievement of a grand national
destiny. IAtClaf th q.
While the real interests of labor are not
promoted by resort to threats andviolent
manifestations, and while those who, under
the pretext of an advocacy Of the claims of
labor, wantonly attack the rights of capi-
tai, and for selfish purposes, or the love of
disorder, SOW seeds of violence and discon-
eonciliased iesislssioa eogsd on the subj pot
should be calmly and deliberately UNDER
taken, with mo purpose of satisfying un
reasonable demands or gaining partisan
advantage.
The present condition of the relations be-
tween labor and capital are far from salts
factory. The discomfort of the employed is
due in large degree to the grasping and
needless exactions Of employers and the
alleged discrimination in favor of capital as
an object Of Governmental attention. 1t
must also be conceded that the laboring
men are not always careful to avoid cause
less and unjustifiable disturbance. Though
the importance Of 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 constitutional restrictions.
There are many grievances which legisla-
tions by Congress can not redress, and
means be reformed. hrr E1rt ~.
am satisfied, however, that something
may be done, under Federal authority, to
prevent the disturbances which SO often
arise from disputes between employers
and employed, and which at times serious
ly 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 set
tling these difficulties. Put suggest that
instead of arbitrators chosen in the heat of
conflicting claims, and after each dispute
shall arise, there be created a commission
OF labor consisting of three members, who
shall be regular officers OF the Government
charged among other duties with the. con-
sideration and settlement, when possible,
of all controversies between labor and cap
ital.
A 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 deal intelligently and usefully with the
questions which might be submitted to
them. ~
So far as its conciliatory offices shall
have relation to disturbances which inter-
fered 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 regu.
late com merce with foreign nations and
among the several States.
II such Q commission were fairly organ
lied, the risk Of loss Of popular support
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
reasons to hope that the very existence of
it for advice and counsel frequently re-
sulting In the avoidance Of contention and
misunderstanding
II the usefulness of such a co mmission is
doubtful because 1t might lack power to
enforce its decisions, much encoura cement
is derived from the conceded good that has
been accomplished by the railroad commits
sions which have been organized in many
Of the States, which, having little more
than advisory power, have exeited most
salutary influence in the settlement Of dis
In July, 1854, by law Of Congress, q Bu-
reau Of Labor W as established, and placed
in charge Of Commissioner Of Labor, who
Is required to- collect information upon
the subject Of labor, its relations with capi-
taL the hours Of labor and the earnings of
lab0ring men and women, and the means
Of promoting their material, social, inter
lectual and moral prosperity"
The commission which ! suggest could
easily be engrafted upon the bureau thus
already organised by the addition Of two
the duties now imposed upon It by such
other powers and functions as would per-
NIT the commissioners to act as arbitretors
when necessary between labor and capital,
under such limitations and upon such oc-
casions - 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 in
form:ticn may siw.ys 30 q hand to aid
GROVER CLEVELAND.
EXECUTIVE MANsIoN, April g, 1855.
'fiI Nt1. -''