New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-24
RDP I'M LAW.

The rhetoric of Mr. Powderly's address to
the people renders that document difficult read
ing. but does not in the main obscure It's mean
ing and purpose There is one passage IN
particular. which makes a disngenuous appeal
to ignorance and prejudice by fervid deScrip-
ton of the struggle which is alleged to be
going on between labor and capital We are
told that the gigantic and brutal figure of the
oorporations bars the doors of legislation
against the toilng masses, presumes to dictate
to the Executive, and attempts to strange and
corrupt the judiciary. If Mr.. Powderly pos
sesses the intelligence with which he has been
generally credited, he knows that this harrow
ing lamentation is pure rhodomontade. NO
such struggle is in progress, and no such spectre
rises anywhere except before a most untr'ist-
worthy Imagination.
On the contrary, if there be one feature OF
recent discussion and legislation more con-
spcuous than any other, it is the socitude
universally shown to shield the poor, the weak
and the foolish from the oppression of others
and the consequences of their own ignorance
and mprudence. The president OF the Ameri-
can Bar Association is required to make at its
annual meeting comprehensive review OF
State and Federal legislation during the pre-
cedng twelve months. The Hon. Henry Hitch
cock has Just performed that Obligation AT
Saratoga with his accustomed lucidity and pre-
cision. The result lies before us, and no one
could study il with the least attention and
fail to he impressed with the extraordinary
variety of cnactments specifically designed
with greater or less intelligence, to promote
the welfare of those who are commonly de-
Ii 1obn cla Those
are not characteristic Of any one part Of the
country They reveal the working of uni
versa impulse, and in the aggregate embrace
the whole Nation. Some Of them may be ana
probably are valueless or worse, but there Is
no reason to suppose that any one OF them
was so designed They represent and embody
a genuine and widespread anxiety for the du! IL
sion of prosperity, comfort health and safety
These enacments are so numerous and so
diverse that il is impossible even TO catalogue
them in this place but an idea of their char
acter and variety may be briefly conveyed.
They include measures to promote education.
to exclude and cure disease. to diminish and
reC0mpensc casualties. 10 insure leisure 10
protect children TO encourage Thrift - pre-
vent excessive fatigue to subordinate the cor
porate creatures of the law in manifold ways
and in general. to make the possibilities OF
daily toll greater and more attractive. During
the year ten States have either passed new
laws, or enlarged the scope OF old ones.
with heavy penalties attached for the purpose
of protecting miners from danger and accident
Five States have now enactments restricting
the hours Of labor, and several others exact
payment of wages at frequent intervals. Michi-
tfc
nnder prescribed conditions. and exact obedi-
ence to its conclusions. Ohio declares that an
EMPLOYEES agreement to waive damages for
injury is void In several States labor has a
legal holiday Nineteen States within two
wears have enacted laws or made constitutional
provision against trusts
This meagre summary is scarcely more than
a suggestion of the restless zeal for the sup
| posed welfare of the people which character
| ICES the legislation of to-day; but 1T Is sufii-
Gent 10 show the folly and the wickednesS OF
every appeal which is based upon the prctence
| that capital has thrOttled justice and human
| ity. The record of recent legislation is not
simply a catalogue Of things done by few
men sitting in State Capitols For, rs Mr..
| Hitchcock saws. in words which are solemn.
and at the present moment doubly significant
Beneath all these laws and constitutions
lies public opinion; elusive, subtle all
pcrvading. like the mysterious forces of Nature,
and like them tremendous for good or for evil
That il shall be not only untrammelled but
sound and pure, and alike unawed by the voice
| of one tyrant or of many is the condition upon
which, Scrhaps more than upon any other, the
well -being of the Nation rests"
-