Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-08-18

suc Dcbt xoNcIucus tuat thc iuecAikchSS
and patriotism of the masses 10 q sum-
Gent and sure guarantee OF the stabiI-
ity of the national union of the states
and the safety and peace and prosper
ity of its citizens.
Opposed to Pinkertona.
That the civil authorities of the state
are the constitutional conservat0rs OF
the peace and that the military should
only be called into requisition IN cases
Of great emergency, ard then only as
aids of and gubordlnates to the civil
authorities, and we denOunce the EN-
ployment by private individuals and
corporations of armed bodies OF men,
no matter under what pretense, as .
menace to the peace and welfare Of the
country and state; and We demand At
the hands of our legislators the enact
ment of such laws 40 will in the future
prohibit the employment and uses of
such forces and severe punishment
therefor to tho end that Pinkertonism
and kindred organizations may be rele-
gated to obscurity and disgrace.
We denounce the Mckinley tariff
law as the eliminating atrocity Of class
legislation. 1t has not increased the
price Of the products of our farms, nor
increased the wages of labor, and we
indorse the action of the present demo-
cratic congress in attempting TO repeal
its most oppressive features.
Tho Silver Questios.
Resolved, That we condemn the re-
publican party for demOnetizing and
degrading silver, and thus bringing
upon the country the train of evils re-
sulting therefrom, and we would COM
mend TO our representatives in congress
the fact large majority of the people
of this state are in favor of restoring
silver to its time-honored and rightful
place 40 the coin of the nation, CO.
equal with gold. We demand that
hencefOrth the issuing of all circulating
medium he made under acts of con-
gress through the national treasury in
euch amounts as the business wants Of
the country require.
An Arbitration Tribunal.
Whereas, Recent labor troubles at
Homestead and elsewhere have caused
general disaster and great injustice,
and.
whereas, This convention desires to
affirm the democratic doctrine that all
such disputes should be settled by fair
and judicial arbitration; therefore,
Resolved, That it is the duty of the
state legislature to establish a proper
tribunal. with power to summon de-
PENDANTS before it, adjust all disputes
and enforce Its judgments by proper
process.
That we pledge the democracy of the
state of Michigan to the establishment
of such tribunal when 1aboring men
and labor organizations can have 3 fair
hearing and proper redress.
For the better protection Of our mines
and mining laborers We favor the
amendment of existing laws relating to
mine inspectors 90 as tO provide for the
election of such officers by direct vote
of the people.
Resolved. That we are in favor OF
the election of the railroad commission
ers by the people.
The Convict Labor Problem.
Resolved, That the action of Cover
nor Winans In recommending to the
legislature IN special session commits
sion TO devise means 70 the improve.
ment of our country roads meets with
our hearty commendatiOn and that W G
hope that the next legislature will tax G
prompt action upon this subject.
Whereas, The present method adopt.
ed in the management of our penal
and refcrmatory institutions, whereby
the goods produced by the employment
of convict labor 10 brought in ruinous
Gus competition with the products of
law abiding citizens engaged in legit-
innate enterprises, which competition II
/ destructive of the interests of the work.
man and mechanic as well as the cap
ital employed, therefore be it
Resolved, That we heartily recon-.
mend the adoption Of such legislation
as will change the present system, IN.
der which the prisoners of the state are
| employed by divertIng from the lcgiti
mate avenues of trade the proceeds oi
their labor. either by engaging them in
constructing the highways of the state
or such other manner as the legisla
ture may deem best calculated 10 rem
der their operations least harmful Il
the success of honest labor or least
dangerous 10 the existence Of leglti
m ately esta bIlghed Industries