The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-08
SENATORS ON RIOTS.
Palmer Says Homestead Strik-
ers Were Fully Justified.
LABOR'S LIEN ON CAPITAL.
Voorhees, Regrets That Carnegie Did Not
Lead the Mercenaries, So That the
workmen Could Kill Him.

WASHINGTON CRY, July 7.-Palmer's
speech in the Senate today on the resoiu-
ton for inquiry into the battle at Home
stead was remarkable for the advanced
position taken by the Illinois senator in
maintaining the right of factory and rail-
road employees 10 continuous employment
at reasonably fair rates OF compensation.
Voorhees, speech on the same subject was
made up principally of an attack on the
Republican party and the policy of protec-
ton, to which he ascribed the labor riots
all over the country. Hale, in replying,
criticised him for converting such grave
matter into partisan politics; defended the
Republicans from responsibility for the
conflict and assumed for the party and the
policy of protection the credit for building
up such great industrial establishments
as those at Homestead and Bethlehem, Pa.
Palmer said the presence of a Plnkerton
armed force at Homestead was in con-
tempt of the authority OF the state of
Pennsylvania. 1t is difficult for Ameri-
can citizens, whether in the right or
wrong, to submit to- being driven by
armed force. He maintained, however,
that the citizens of Homestead are in the
right, as. according to the principles of
law which should hereafter be applied to
the solution of such troubles, they had a
right to be there. These large manufac-
turing establishments would have to be
regarded as holding their property subject
to the co-relative rights of those without
whose service their property would be ut
terly valueless. The law only conceded to
them the right to a reasonable profit on
the capital invested in the enterprises.
He maintained, furthermore. that the
workingmen, having spent their lives in
particular line of service, had the right to
insist on permanency of employment and
also on reasonable compensation for their
services. He maintained that at the time
OF the assault the people at Homestead
were where they had a right to be, on
ground they had right to defend. Their
conduct was on the line of their rights.
Manufacturing establishments were pub
lie institutions, just as railroads were, be-
cause they WORK for the public, employ the
public and because men in the service be-
come unfit for other service. While con-
ceding the right of the capitalist to control
his property and to a reasonable reward
for his investment, he claimed the laborer
had right to permanent employment
during good behavior. Of course the la
borer was compelled to submit to the ex-
igencies Of business. Where profits were
small the parties would have a less divi-
dend, and where they were large they
would have more to divide. That, he
maintained, was the law today, because
the law was the perfection of reason.
Voorhees, said the Republican party said
the great manufacturing barons had to be
protected against foreign competition in
order to pay higher wages. Had they
done SO? Carnegie got protection of so
per cent. on iron and more than 20 per
cent. on steel, and instead of paying the
workmen higher wages he notified them
of a reduction of from Il to 40 per cent.
The beneficiary of the tariff system re-
sponded by the employment of an armed
mob. The Pinkertons were the meanest
mercenaries, and those of them killed
were killed by workmen in sef-defense.
His only regret was that Carnegie himself
had not been at the head of the squad,
instead of skulking in his Scottish
castle. Finally the resolution for investi-
CATION Of the Homestead trouble was re-
ferred to the committee on contingent ex-
penses.
The House judiciary committee has or
dered favorable report to be made on
Williams resolution providing for a con-
gressonal investigation of the Homestead
trouble.