The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1886-04-29


being taught IL our midst and prom
ises 70 be very successful Noun
tain Spring Literary society will
rive pubic entertainment 81 night
81 the iIrst day u May. Il will be
an interesting occasion.
SUBSCRIBER.
The Presidents Message TO Com
grese IN Regard to Capital
and Labor.
WASHINGTON, April %. The Pres
idcnt Yesterday sent the following
message 70 congress On the subject
OF labor troublcs:
To the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatiyes:
The constitution imposes on the
President the duty OF recommending
to the consideration OF congress from
time TO time such measures as be
shall Judge necessary and expedient.
am SO deeply impressed with the
Importance Of thoughtfnlly meeting
the problem which recent events and
the present condition Of affairs have
thrust upon US, involving settlement
Of disputes arising between our labor
ing men and their employers, that l
am constrained to recommend to con-
|gress legislation upon this serious
and pressing subject.
Under our form OF government the
value OF labor as an element OF ma
tional prosperity should be distinct
lily recognized and the welfare OF the
laboring man should be regarded as
especially entitled to legislative care.
In country which offers to all its
citizens the highest attainment Of
social and political distinction its
workingmen cannot justly or safely
be considered rs irrevocably 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 growth and progress, may well
insist with manly courage and as .
right, upon the same recognition
from those who make our laws as is
accorded to any other citizens hav-
ing valuable interests In charge, and
his reasonable demand should be
met IN such a spirit of appreciation
and fairness a. to induce content
ed and patriotic co operation in the
achievement of grand national
destiny.
While the real interests Of labor
are not promoted by a resort to-
threats and violent manifestations,
and while those under pretext If any
advocacy OF the claims of labor want
only to attack the rights OF capital,
and for selfish purposes or the love
OF disorder Row the seeds of violence
and discomfort, should neither be
encouraged or concillated, all legis
lation on the subject should be calm
ly ard deliberately undertaken with
no purpose OF satisfying unreasona-
BILE demands or gaining partisan
advantage. The present condition
OF relations between labor and CAPT
tai are Ear from satisfactory. The
discomfort Of the employed. due in q
large degree to the grasping and
needless exactions Of employers and
alleged discrimination in favor of
capital, is an object Of governmental
attention. 1t must also be conceded
that laboring men are not always
careful to avoid causeless and un-
justiiiab!e disturbances.
In my opinion the proper theory
upon which to proceed is that Of vol
untary arbitration as means of set
Ting these difficulties. but suggest
that instead Of arbitrators chosen in
the heat Of conflicting claims and
after each dispute shall arise, there
be created commission Of labor,
consisting Of three members, who
shall be regular officers Of the gov
eminent, charged among other du-
ties with the consideration and set
Element, when possible, OF all contro-
versies between lsbor and capital.
"a Somnibsio~ tuuS iSouACu
would have the advantage OF being
stable body, and its members, as
they gained experience, would con-
stantly improve in their ability to
deal intelligcntly and usefullv with
the questions which might be sub
mitted to them.
= y
In July, 1884, by law Of congress
a bureau of labor was established
and placed in charge Of the commits
sioner of labor, who is required To
collect information upon the subject
of labor, its relations with capital,
hours Of labor, earnings Of laboring
men and women, and the means OF
promoting their material, social, in
tellectual and moral responsibility.
The commission which | suggest
could easily be engrafted upon the
bureau already organized by the adj
dition OF two more commissioners
and by supplementing the duties
now imposed upon it by such other
powers and functions as would per
nit the commissioners To act as arbi-
traitors when necessary, under such
and upon such occasion
as should be deemed preper and