, 1888-01-22
SOME RECENT DEMANDS.


The Rock Springs Independent, which
is published in one Of the industrial cen
ters of the territory, comes out squarely
and honestly in its expression of views on
the suggestions for Legislative enactments
submitted by the Knights of Labor. The
article which treats of the subject has a
ring of genuine sincerity about it which is
as far removed from dcmagogucry on the
one hand as it is from cringing to capital
on the other. The Independent does not
believe in the opening of cross roads at
intervals of every few miles in the thickly
settled counties because of the enormo
attendant expense, but it does believe in
Abolishing the offices of stock inspectors
and veterinarian and the enactment of a
law giving preference to the pay of en-
ployes in cases Of bankruptcy. 1t Justly
takes the position that no law should be
passed requiring one-half of certain juries
to be composed of workingmen. 1t bases
its opposition on the ground that this is
class legislation land We may add of a very
vicious character) which is no more rea-
sonable than that six stock men must
always sit in judgment on so-called cattle
cases. Convict labor, it says, has not yet
come into competition with free labor in
this territory, and in its opinion no legis-
lation on this subject isyet needed. While
we agree with the first part Of the propo-
sition we cannot so cordially assent to the
latter.
Human ingenuity has not yet devised Il
scheme to completely overcome the
knotty difficulties of this question. That
our population who find their way into
the iails should be maintained in idleness
at public expense, whilst many who con
tribute to their support are neither as
well housed or fed or clothed, is prepos.
ferrous on its face. There are classes of
men who hail with delight a sentence to
the county Jail on the approach of winter,
for they know they will fed and main
tanned in idleness through a season when
poor people suffer most from deprivation.
A sentence to the city calaboose they look
upon us an entirely different matter, for it
may carry with it compulsory labor on
the public highways. That the drones in
the hives of industry should be main
tanned in idleness by the men and women
who work for n living and pay the taxes
is neither reasonable nor just. Therefore,
we say legislation is necessary on this sub
iect. The scalawags and rlffraff of hui
manity,should not be maintained in idleness
at public expense, even in the courty
jails.
1t may be laid down AS a general pro-
position that the tendency of all class
legislation is vicious and demoralizing.
Even general laws, which are broad in
their scope and catholic in their spirit,
may work hardship in individual cases,
but the effect is wholesome as compared
with laws which are enacted for the sole
behoof and benefit of a particular class.
THE LEADER is unqualifedly in favor
o. maintaining the rights of all classes ire
spcctive of occupation. 1t docs not believe
that anything should be done through
prejudice or from ~demogogical motives.
The good of the whole people should
be constantly kept in view and only
bills which contribute to that end should
meet with hearty support from fair
minded Legislators.