Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-04-23

general effect of the pooling system was
beneficial. Without it most OF the rail
roads Of the country would be in the hands
OF receivers through ruinous competition.
The result would be that wages would have
to be cut down fifty per cent.
This closed Gould's examination, which
lasted four hours.
Hopkins testimony was then heard. He
correborated the principal points in Gould's
statement, and concluded with high COM
pliment 70 Hoxie, for the manner in which
he had administered the affairs of the com
pany.
The committee then adjourned I'LL to-
morrow.
THE PRESIDENT AND THE LABOR TROUBLES
WAsHrNGroN, April 22d.-The President
to-day sent the following message to Con-
gress on the subject of the labor troubles 4:
To the Senate and House Of Representatives.: The
Constitution imposes on the President the duty
OF recommending 10 the consideration of Con
gress, from time to time, such measures as he
shall judge necessary and eXpedient / am so
deeply Impre- sed with the Importance of i'm
mediately and thoughtfully meeting the
problem which recent events and the present
condition have thrust upon us involving 81
settlement of disputes arising between our
laborlng men and their EMPLOYERS that
! am constrained to recommend to Congress
legislation upon this serious and pressing slib-
lect. Under our form Government the value of
labor as an element of national prosperity
should be distinctly recognized and the vel
fars Of the laboring man should be regarded as
especially entitled to legislative care In a
country which offers to all its citizens the high
est attainment of social and political distinc-
ton, its workingmen cannot Justly or safely be
considered as irrevoeably consigned to the
limits OF n class entitled to no attention an |
allowed no protest against neglect. The labor
Ing man, bearing in his hand an Indispensable
contribution TO our growth and progress. may
well insist, with manly courage and right,
upon the same recognition from those
who make our laws as is accorded
to any other citizen having u valuable
interest in charge, and his reasonable
demand should be met in such spirit of appre-
ciai1on and fairness us to induce the conteIted
and patriotic cooperation in the achievement
of grand national destiny. While the real
interests OF labor are not promoted by resort
10 threats and violent manifestations, and while
those who, under the preteXt of an advocacy 81
the clulms of labor, want only to attack the
rights OF capital, and tor selfish purposes or love
OF disorder SOW the seeds of violence and dis
content, should neither be encOuraged or con
cilated, all legislation on the subject should be
calmly and deliberately undertaken with no
purpose OF satisfying unreasonable demands or
gaining partisan advantage. The preseat con-
dltion of the relations between labor and capi-
tal are lar from satisfactory The discomfort
| OF the employed is due, in very large
degree, to the grasping and needless eXac-
tons OF employers, and alleged Determinations
IN favor of capital object of governmental
attention. 1t must also be conceded that the
laborIng men are not always careful to avoid
| causeless and unjustItlabe disturbances
Though the Importance of better accord be-
tween the interests is apparent il must be borne
~ ~ mlnq that any effort in that direction by the
federal government must be greatly limited by
constitutional restrictions There are many
grievances which legislation by Congress can
not redress, and many conditions which cannot
by such means be reformed. | am satisfied.
however, that something may be done under
Federal authority, TO prevent the disturb
ances which so often arise by disputes
between employer and employed, and
business interests of the country and in my
opinion the proper theory ON which to pro
ceed Is that OF voluntary arbitration as a means
OF setting these dlfhculties; but | suggest that
instead of arbitrators chosen in the heat of con
hieting claims, and after each dispute shall
arse, there be created a Commission OF Labor,
consisting OF three members, who shall be regIl-
ular officers of the Government charged among
other duties, with the consideration and settle
ment, when possible, of all controversies be-
tween labor and capital Commission thns
organized would have the advantage of beinp a
stable body, and its members as they gained
experience, would certainly improve in their
ability to deal intelligently and usefully with
| the questions which might be submitted to
them. If arbitrators are chosen for tenn
porary service, as each case of dis
pute arises, the experience and familiarity
with much that Is involved in the question will
be lacking. Extreme partisanship and HAS
Will be the qualifications sought on either side
and frequent complaints of unfairness and mar
.t,aiily t VIII DC inevitable. The imposition upon
the Federal Court of a duty foreign to the Judi
cial function as the selection of an arbitration
| in such cases. is at least of doubtful pronrietv
| The establishment by Federal authority of such
bureau would be just and sensible recogni-
tion OF the value of labor. and OF its right 10 be
| represented in the departments of the Govern.
ment. So far as its eonciliatory offices had re
latlon to disturbances which interfered with
| transit and commerce between States its eyist-
ence would be justified under the provisions ot
the Constitution which gives to Con-
grieSSs gi,S the, the power to regulate commerce
eral States, and in the frequent disputes
between the laboring men and their
empowers OF less extent and the consequences
OF which are confined within State limits and
threaten domestic violence, the interposition of
such Commission might be rendered t1non the
application of the Legislature or executive of
the state. under the constitutional provision
which requires the General Government to pro
tect each OF the States . against domestic yio-
lence." If such Commission were fairly or
ganlzed, the risk of the loss of popular slpnort
and sympathy resulting from refusal to sub
NIT to peaceful instrumentality would constrain
both parties TO such disputes to invoke its in
terference and abide by its decisions. There
would also be good reason to hope that the very
existence OF such an agency would invite appli-
cation to il for advice and counsel freoue6tly
resulting IN the avoidance of contention and
misunderstanding. If the usefulness of such a
commission is doubtful because il might
lack the power to enforce its decisions mileh
encouragement is derived from the conceded
good that has been accomplished by the Rail-
road Commissions, which have been organized
IN many OF the States, which, having little more
than advisory powers, have eXerted most sal
utary influence in the settlement of disputes be-
tween conflicting interests In July, 1854 hy a
law OF Congress, Bureau OF Labor was estab-
lished and placed in charge of Commissioner
ol Labor who is required TO collect information
upon the subject of labor, its relations with cap
ltal, hours of labor snd the earnings of laborinr
men and women, and the means of promoting
their material, social, Intellectual AID moral
prosperity. The Commission which | suggest
could easily be engraited upon the bureau thus
already organized by the addition of two more
Commissioners, and by supplementng the duties
now imposed upon it by such other powers AID
functions as would permit the Commissioners to
act as arbitrators, when necessary, between
labor aud capital, under such limitations aud
upon such occasions as should be deemed proper
ana useiul The power should also be dis
tlnctiy conferred upon this bureau TO investi-
gate the causes OF all disputes as they occur.
whether submitted for arbitration or not. 50
mat information may always be at hand TO aid
legislation on the subject when necessary and
desirable: GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion. April - 1856