The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-07-08
Special 70 the REcoRn-uN1ox.

In the Senate to-day on the resolution for
inquiry into the battle at Homestead is
remarkable for the advanced position
taken by the Illinois Senator in main
tanning the right of factory and railroad
employees to 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 protection, to which he ascribed the
labor riots all over the country.
Hale, in replying, criticised him for
converting such grave matters into par
tisan politics, defended the Republicans
from the responsibility of the conflict,
and assumed for the party and the policy
OF protection the credit of building up
such great industrial establishments as
those at Homestead and Bethlehem, Pa.
The discussion was continued by Sena-
tore Galllnger, Stewart and Sanders.
Palmer maintained that the working
men at Homestead having spent most of
their lives in that line of work, had a
right to insist on permanent employment
and reasonable compensation. At the
time OF the assault on them they were
where they had a right to be. He urged
that some principle to solve the problem
should be sought. If capital was the
master and the people were the slaves
the country would soon be involved in
anarchy. The presence of a Pinkerton
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 an
armed force. He maintained, however,
ci nf iyot I,o
right, as according to the principles of
law, which should hereafter be applied in
the solution of such troubles, they had a
right to be there.
Those large manufacturing establish
ments would have to be regarded as hold
ing property subject to the correla-
tive rights of those without whose
services their property would be utterly
valueless; that it only conceded TO them
the right to a reasonable profit on the
capital invested in the enterprises. He
maintained furthermore that the work
ingmen, having spent their lives in a
particular line of service, had a right to
insist on permanency of Unemployment and
also on reasonable compensation for their
services. He maintained that at the time
the assaults on the people at Homestead
were made they had a right to be on the
ground; they had right to defend their
conduct on the line of their rights. Man
ufacturing establishments are public in
stitutions, just as railroads were, because
they work for the public, employed the
public, and because the men in their
service become unfit for other service.
While conceding the right OF capital
list to control his property, and to rea-
sonable reward for his investment. he
claimed that the laborer had right to
permanent employment during good be-
havior. OF course the laborer was COM
PEELED to submit to the eXigencies of
business. When the profits were small
the parties would have to divide the loss,
and when they were large they would
have to divide. That, he maintained
was the law of to-day, because the law
was the perfection Of reason.
Noorhles made fiery speech in which
he attributed the labor difficulties to the
Republican policy of high protection.
Voorhees, SAID the Republican party
said the great manufacturing barons had
to be protected against foreign competi-
ton, in order TO pay higher wages. Had
they done so? Carnegie got a protection
Of 80 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 II to 40 per
cent. This they declined to accede to-
The beneficiary of the tariff system re-
sponded by the employment of an armed
mob of Pinkerton's meanest mercenaries,
and those of them killed were killed by
workmen in self-defense. His only re-
greet was that Carnegie himself had not
been at the head of the squad instead of
skulking in Scottish castle.
Hale replied denying that the Republi-
can party was responsible for the trouble.
and declared that the credit Of building
up such Industries as those at Homestead
and Bethlehem was due to that party.
Finally the resolution for an investiga-
ton of the Homestead troubles were re-
ferred TO a committee.
IN THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, July AFTER referring
the silver bill to the Coinage Committee.
the House this morning again voted
down the conference report on the
diplomatic and consular appropriation
bill by q decisive vote, the opposition be-
ing based on an appropriation of SIS. GOO
for the payment OF the United States
share of the expenses in the preliminary
survey of the intercontinental railway.
The remainder of the day was con-
sumed in consideration of resolution
directing the Committee on Judiciary. al
ready authorized to investigate the Pink
erton system, to investigate the recent
occurrences at Homestead.
The Committee on Labor wanted the
resolution referred TO them, and it was so
done; but the victory was short-lived, as
the Judiciary men regained their ground
and finally secured the. resolution.
During the discussion. Watson of
Georgia criticised the Judiciary Commit
tee for having been derelict in its duty
for not proceeding with the investigation
long ago.
Oats denied that the committee failed
in its duty.
A conference report on the Indian
appropriation bill was submitted and
agreed to.
Adjourned.