The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-10-24
Two LABOR

Since the records snow inc faiSlly Oh
Richards alleged friendship for the
w~orkingman and his opposition to the
! interest of organized labor at all times,
it is interesting to glance at the labor
record of Grover Cleveland. During his
career as a public servant in many diff
ferent stations he has always been a
firm and conslstent friend of labor's
welfare. In state papers, in public
speeches and in all discussions relating
to the subject he has often given evi.
dence of his interest.
When Mr.. Cleveland was nominated for
governor of New York in 1882 the fol-
lowing plaak in the platform was framed
at his own suggestion and mot with his
hearty approval.
Twelfth. We reaffirm the policy always
maintained By the democratic party that it
is OF the first iml ortance that labor should
be made free, healthful and secure of just
remuneration. That convict labor should
not come into com petition with the industry
of law-nbldlng citizens. That the labor OF
children should he surrounded with such
safeguards az their health. their rights of
education and their future, as useful mem
bers of tine community demand. That
work shops. whether la &c or small, should
be under such sanitary control as viii in
sure the health and comfort of the employed
and will protect all against nnwho!esoms
labor and surroundings. That labor shall
have the same rights as capital to combine
for its own p election; aud that all l~eQisla-
ton which cramps industry, or which en-
ables the powerful to oppose the weak,
should be repealed: and, TO promote the
interests of labor, We recommend the COL
lection of statistics and information re-
specting the improvements, needs and
abuses of the various branches of indus
try.
In accepting the nomination MI.
Cleveland said; THE platform Of prin-
ciples adopted by the convention meets
with my hearty approval. The doctrines
therein enunciated are SO distinctly and
explicitly stated that their amplifica-
ton seems scarcely necessitated If
elected to TIE office for which / have
been nominated l shall endeavor to i'm
press them upon my administration and
make them the policy of the state"
Later, concerning the labor interests,
he said: 1.-THE laboring classes constitute
the main part Of our population. They
should be protected IN their efforts to
assert their rights when endangered by
aggregated capital. and all statutes on
the subject should recognize the case
of the state for honest toll, and be
framed with a view of improving the
condition of the workingman."
His record as governor shows that
he followed carefully the views pre-
viously expressed. During his presi-
Dental term the country was agitated
by the great strike on the Missouri Pa
citic. Mr.. Cleveland again showed
special interest in the labor question
and recommended to congress the adop-
ton Of a law providing for the settle,
ment of these disastrous troubles by ar
bitration.
While Lieut.. Gov. Richards is not
running for president the records OF the
two candidates suggest a comparison.
Richards in a public body opposed a
proposition to protect the industries OF
honest cltizeps from convict labor; in
the same way he opposed anti-Plnker
tonism aud he opposed the eight hour
measure. He never neglected an oppor
tunity TO show his enmity to organized
labor and ne never raised his voice il
a public body for it's interests.