Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-04-13
INVESTIGATION.
The Resolution Providing for Con-
ursssionaI Investigation
OF dE WESTERN LABOR TROUBLES
Adopted by the House Without Di'lslOn---
Some Debate on the
Measure.

from the CommltLee Oh huieo' AeP
resolution providing for Coneressions
INQUIRY into the causes and extent OF IN
present labor troubles in the West. Th'
resolution was adopted without division
The resolution authorizes the Speaker Il
appoint an investigating committee o
seven members to 60 West, With power Il
send for persons and papers, and TO si'
during the sessions OF the House. TIE
committee is to report during the present
session with such recommendations as il
may deem proper to make.
Mr.. Morrison stated that the bill which
had recently passed the House knoWR af
the Arbitration bill was inadequate in its
provisions. The object of the pending
resolution was to enable Congress to learn
the facts of the case 80 thai it might per-
feet its legislation.
Mr.. Reagan, CT Texas. contended that
Congress had no more power to regulate
questions arising between common carriers
and their hired lsborers than questions
arising between common carriers ana their
butchers or grocers.
THESE wERs LOCAL QUESTIONS,
and the fact that one OF the parties might
be engaged in interstate commerce did
not give Congress jurisdiction over the
other. The question was whether Dem
ocrsic House OF Representatives would
deny and repudiate local self government
or whether il would assume that States
were no longer able to execute their func'
tons.
Mr.. Morgan, of Mississippi, thought that
it was time the House
SHOULD DIsPEL TIE ILLUSION
ia the minds Of lsboriug men-sn illusion
that relief laid in the body Of this House.
Rsiet colld no. be found here or by any
Legislative enactment 1t was the duty OF
the House to speak st once, In order that
the workiugmen might stop and pause and
consider
Mr.. PoRderly stood at the head of q
powerful organization which he endesvored
TO govern with wisdom. He had bsen un-
able to do so because his subordinates had
refused to acknowledge his authority. The
workingmeu said he wished TO arbiuste.
WHAT WAS THERE TO BE ARBIrRATED.
They said 10 the railroad company, I'VE
want employment," aud the company said
We don't want your services. The men
said, We will srbitrste;" the railroad
company answered I'VE will not srbitrste
because we do not want you
This WAS like any other contract. When
the services Of ths neu were declined
there was an end of the transaction aud
Congress had no power to pass q law which
would make q oou'ract for men,.
Mr.. Randall said that no member was
more desirous than be OF restriction OF leg
islatiou within constitutional limit, yet 10
this case the government was
tSrssssTEp u sEEING PEACE AND oRDER
prevsil instead of GiscoEteIt. The resolu-
tiou had reference to Inter State commerce
which was now interrupted. There was
no harm in the House possessing lEselt oil
tull information on the subject.
Mr. Hiscock, of New York, was curious
10 sec how many gentlemen on the other
side Of the house would invoke the constr
tuition against the right Of petition-how
mauy would 90 on record against the 7OO,-
600 who SAID tkey had wrongs to be
redressed aud who asked for the assistance
OF Congress.
Mr.. Reed, Of Maine, said that Congress
Ike every other legislative body sat for
hearing ana redress OF grievances and in
this case it yes
BOUND TO GIVE The INVEsTIGATiGE AsGEl
for to learn what the facts were and then
10 act upon them if it turned out that the
facts we're such as could be acted upon.
he protested against the everlasting put
ling up OF the constitution against every
proposition which was presented IN the
House. The effect of this would be ia
| make rockery of the constitution and tc
give point to the jest that the constitution
] in the mind Of strict construationist was
] in favor OF every bill he wanted and against
every bill he opposed.
Mr.. Warner Ohio) empbas zed the grN
ity Of the occasion maintained, that
NO POWER OTHER THAN CONGRESS WAS ADE
sUATE
to deal with the subject and contended ths
the proposed investigation came within th'
provision of the constitution.
Mr.. Curtin, of Penusylvsnis, said tha
the purpose of the resolution was to inves
tigate the causes Of the interest Of the peo
pie. If corporations had violated the right
OF the humblest man, he had the right t
redress and had right to a hearing 5stor,
this assembly. II the man was. wronged
let Congress uuders and it and lay tn
power of government on those who hat
wronsed him. II there was net power II
the Constitution to redress those wrongs i
was broken staff,
The resolution was adopted Withou
!; division.