Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1892-07-21
CLEVELANc'S SOBER COUNSELS,

lence occurred on the Missouri Ia
cifc Railroad some years ago, Presi-
dent Cleveland, IN a message to Con-
gress, made the following wise sug-
gestions for the consideration of
national Legislators:
| am satisfied that something may
be done under Federal authority to
prevent the disturbances which SO
often arise from disputes between
employers and the employed, and
which at times seriously threaten the
business interests Of the country, and
in my opinion the proper theory up
on which to proceed is that of vol
untary arbitration as the means Of
settling these difficulties. But I
suggest that, instead of arbitrator
chosen in the heat of conflicting
claims and after each dispute shall
arise, there shall be created a Com
mission of Labor, consisting of three
members, who shall be regular off
GERS of the government, charged,
among other duties, with the consid-
Grafton and settlement, when posi-
BILE, Of all controversies between
labor and capital.
a commission thus organized
would have the advantage of being
an able body, and its members as
they gained experience would con-
stantly improve in their ability to
deal intelllgently and usefully with
the questions which might be sub
mitted to them. The establishment
by Federal authority of such a bu-
reau would be a just and sensible re-
eognitlon Of the value Of labor and
its right to DC represented in the de-
partments OF the government. So
far as its conclliatory offices shall
have relation to disturbances which
interfere with transit and CONNER e
between the States. it's existence
would be justified under the provis-
ions of the Constitution which give
to Congress the power 'to regulate
commerce with foreign nations and
among the several States" And in
the frequent disputes between the
laboring men and their employers,
of less extent and the consequences
Of which are confined within
the State limits and threaten do
nestle violence, the inte1 position
such commission might be rendered
upon the application of the Legisla-
ture or Executive of a State, under
the constitutional provision which
requires the General Government to
"protect" each Of the States against
domestic violence"
If such a commission were fairly
organized the risk OF a loss of popu-
lar support and sympathy resulting
from a refusal to submit to sc peace
full an fundamentally would con-
strain both parties to such disputes
to invoke it's interference and abide
by it's decision, There would also
be good reason to hope that the very
existence Of such an agency would
invite application to it for advice
and counsel, frequently resulting in
the avoidance Of contention and mis-
understanding. If the usefulness Of
such a commission is doubted be-
cause it might lack power to enforce
its decisions, much encouragement
is derived from the conceded good
that has been accomplished by the
railroad commissions which have
been organized in many of the
! States, which, having a little more
than advisory power, have exerted{a
most satisfactory influence in the
settlement Of disputes between con-
ficting interests.
Had Congress responded to Presi-
| dent Cleveland's sober counsels and
| authorized a Commission of Labor,
there is little doubt that most, if not
all, of the serious labor troubles OF
the last six years would have been
ayerted; and the now constantly re.
curing violent disputes between
employers and employed make g
loud call upon the General Govern.
ment to provide a Commission in
which both labor and capital coule
reasonably confde.
With a conspicuously able anc
lust National Labor Commission tx
proffer its offices in serious labor
disputes, the fearful blunders which
SO often precipitate bloodshed woule
be prevented. Such a Commission
would have no absolute authority tt
enforce its judgment, but it woult