Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-22
THE COUNTRY'S AIM.
Rev. VIM. Robertson Addresses the
Central Trades Council, on the
CHIEF END OF THE GOVERNMENT,
Carnegie, Phipps & Co., Getting Ready to
Make Armor Plates.
A DAYS GRIST FROM LABOR CIRCLES

The Central Trades Council departed
somewhat from its usual custom last night
and held an open meeting, to which the
general public was admitted. to listen to an
address by Rev. William Robertson, of AL
legheny, on "The Public Welfare the Chief
End of Civil Government"
Several labor organizations were repre-
sented, and a few women interested in the
economical and social questions of the day
were present Mr.. Robertson spoke for
nearly two hours, saying that the chief end
for which civil government has been inst-
tuted is to promote the public welfare, or
the welfare of the whole people. 1t is de-
signed to secure the peace and good order of
society and the rights and liberties of
all the citizens. Magistrates or rulers
are not appointed for their own honor or
aggrandizement, but for the benefit of So
ciety. their own welfare included. They
are the servants of the people.
The Evil of Glass Legislation.
Continuing, the speaker referred to the
history of nations to show the injustice that
had been done by rulers by perversion of
the functions and designs Of civil govern
ments. This perversion lies at the foun-
dation of many of the evils that aff1 let
society to-day. The most oppressive is class
legislation or legislating for the benefit of
one class to the injury of others equally en-
titled or deserving. He said that he be-
lieved class legislation was the chief cause
of the dissatisfaction with the present state
of things that exists in all parts of the land.
The remedy is in a system of laws equita-
BILE and just to all classes of society. He
further referred TO the principles of rightful
government which is for the highest good
of all and to secure equal rights. The text
to which all Legislative enactments and
corporate claims should be put is-are they
in harmony with the equal rights of all the
citizens and conducive 20 the public welfare.
No vested rights no matter how old,s out
of harmony, have claim to permanent ex-
istence.
The remedy for the evils, he maintained,
is for the Government to assume a number
OF important duties. 1t should limit the
amount of property, especially in land, that
any person should be permitted to own or
beguesth, and alien land owners should be
entirely abolished. Aliens own II 900, 900
acres and 40, 600 own one-half the wealth of
the United States. The owners Of vast
fortunes are not to be condemned, but the
should be
Government Oversight.
The Government should also regulate and
control the business of all chartered cor
pOrations and monopolies to whatever ex-
tent is necessary for the public welfare. 1t
is solely with a view to the public con-
venience and welfare that all franchises and
chartered rights and privileges are granted
by the State to individuals or corporations.
Society has the same right to defend itself
against the money power when it becomes a
curse, as it has to subdue 4 rebellion. The
railways, telegraph lines. etc.. have become
public necessities and should be controlled
by the Government.
The rights of employees and the public
should be protected. Corporation managers
should not be allowed to discharge employees
except for good and sufficient cause When
differences arise arbitrations with the unions
should settle them. If that failed the Gov
tect the public from dangerous strikes.
This is the first of series cf lectures on
labor questions to be given before the
Trades Council. 1t is probable that Miss
Rutan, sister of ex-senator RutaD, will be
the next speaker. She was present last
night, and was very much interested, along
with the remainder of the audience, in the
remarks of MIR. Robertson.
Previous to the address the Trades Coun-
Gil transacted its routine business, including
the admission of two or three new delegates.