Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1886-04-30
Presidents Message
ON THE LABOR QUESTION.

dent. 'o day sent The following mes
sag" to Congress on the subject of
the labor troubles:
r. me- Senate and House Of Rcpreseu-
hfl~S:
The constitution imposes on the
President the duty of rec "a ing
io the consideration of Congress
from time To- 'line, such measures as
he shail Judge necessary and exped-
iont. ! am 81 deeply impressed with
the importance OF immediately and
ihoughifully meeting the problem
which recent events and present con
dtions have developed, aud the set.
Element Of dispuies arising between
our laborIng men and their employ
crS. that | am constrained to recon-
mend 10 Congress legislation on this
serious and pressing subject. Under
our form Of government the value Of
labor az an clcmcn, of national pros
perity should he distinctly recognized
aud the Welt re Of the laboriug man
should be entitled to Legislative care
IN "A country which offers TO all it's
citizens tho higest aim of social and
political distinction. Its working
men cannot Justly or safely be
considered as unreasouably con-
signed To the limits Of acts and en-
titled 20 no attention aud allowed no
protos. against neglect. The labor
ing men, hearing in their hands an
indispensable contribution to our
growth and progress, may all insist
with manly courage and right upon
tho same recognition from .those
who make our laws as is accorded to
any other citizen having valuable in
tercs:s, and should be met iii such a
spirit Of appreciation and fairness as
To- induce coutonted
PATRIOTIC COOPERATION
IN the Achievement of grand national
destiny. While tho interests of la.
Dor arc not promoted by resort to
threats and violent manifestations,
aud while those who, under the pre-
text of advancing claims of labor,
want only TO attack the rights of
capital. for selfish purposes or love
OF disorder, SOW tue seeds of violence
aud discomfort, should neither be
encouraged nor conciliated. All
legislation on the subject should be
calmly and deliberately undertaken,
with no purpose of satisfying un.
reasonable demands or gaining a
partisan advantage. The present
condition Of Tho relations between
labor and capital are far from salts.
factory. The discomfort of the en-
ployed is due, in large degree, to
the graspins and needless exactions
of employers and alleged discrimina
tion, in favor of capital, as objects
Of the Governments attention. 1t
must also be conceded that the labor
ing men are not always careful to
avoid causeless and unjustifiable dis
turbance. Though the importance
OF better accord between these inter.
ests is apparent, it must be borne in
mind that any effort in that direction
10y tho federal government must be
greatly limited by constitutional re-
striciions. There are many griev-
ances which legislation by Congress
cannot redress and many conditions
which cannot, by such means, be re
formed. l am satisfied, however,
that
SOMETHING MAY BE DONE
Under the federal authority to pre-
vent tho disturbances which often
arise by disputes between the en-
ployer and the employed, and which
at times seriously threatens the busi-
ness interests Of the country. In my
opinion the proper theory on which to
proceed is that OF voluntary arbitra-
ton a. means of settling these diff
cul,ies; but ! suggest that, instead
Of arbitration by committee chosen
in tho heat Of conflict to settle the
claims and after each dispute shall
arise. there be created commission
Of labor, consisting Of three members,
who shall DO regular officers of the
Government charged, among other
duties, with the consideration and
settlement, when possible, of all
CONTROVERSY, between labor and cap
i,al. The commission thus organ
lied would have the advantage of
being n stable body ard its members,
as they gain experience, would con-
stantly improve their ability to deal
successfully with the questions which
might be submitted to them. If ar
bitrators are to be chosen to do tenn
porary service, in each case where a
dispute arises. the experience and
familiarity with much that is in.
volved vii! be lacking and extreme
partisanship and bias will be the
qualification sought on either side
aud frequent complaints Of unfair.
moss and psrtiality will lead to the
inevitable imposition on the federal