The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-07-08
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, July 7.-Mr. Palmer's
speech Today on the resolutions ior an ln-
ouiry into the battle at Homestead be-
tween the Pinkerton forces and the strik-
ing workmen was remarkable Tor the ad-
vanced posltion taken by the Illinois sena-
tor, iE maintaining the right OF factory
and railroad employees to continuous en-
ployment at reasonably fair raies OF com
pensaton.
Mr. Voorhees, speech on the same sub
ject was made up of an attack on The he
publican party and lis policy of protection,
10 which he ascribed the crop OF labor riots
all over the country.
Mr.. Voorhees, was replied to by Mr.
Hale, who criticized him for convert
ing such a grave matter as the Homestead
conflict into a question of party politics,
End defended the Republican party from
all responsibility for that conflict.
The resolutions were referred to the
committee on contingent expenses, ,and are
sure to be reported back for action tomor-
row.
In tie course of the discussion Mr..
Stewart said that it seemed beyond con-
Iroversy that the managers OF the Carne-
gle mills had employed murderous gang
Whatever might have preceded the
troubles-whatever the laboring men
might have done-tha5 did not mitigate
the offense of bringing into use an armed
band of assassins. That 800 armed men
should have been brought from different
cities prepared for war-brought In during
the night to make war upon laborers OF
the country-was a fact that must attract
the attention of the whole country, and
that could not be condemned In too strong
Language.
Mr.. Palmer said that the presence of the
,Pinkertou armed force was in contempt of
the authority Of the state. It's manner
was menacing and insulting. 1t was difficult
Tor American citizens (whether they
were in the right or Ill the
wrong to submit TO be driven
by an armed force. That these
citizens of Homestead were right, he
maintained; that, according TO the princI-
1les of law, which should hereafter be ap-
plied TO the solution of these troubles,
they had right to be there; that made 1t
necessary for him to assert that these men
had right to employment there. They
Ehad earned right TO live there. lie
maintained Furthermore, that these work
ing men, having spent their lives in that
particular line of service, had the right to
Insist on permanency in their employment,
land that they had right to insist also Oh
reasonable compensation for their services.
He maintained that at the time of the as
Rsault on those people at Homestead they
Iwere where they had right TO be; they
twere on ground which they had n right TO
tdefend; they were conducting themselves
Fin the line of their rights.
! Manufacturing establishments were
spublic institutions, just as railroads We're.
They were public, because they worked
for the public; because they employed the
public, and because the men in their SER
vice became unfit for other service.
While concediug the rights of the capi-
ualist to the control of his property and
TO reasonable reward for his investment,
he claimed that the laborer had right 10
permanent employment during good be-
lhavior. OF course the laborer was COM
tpelled 10 submIt TO the changes of busi-
!ness. Where the profits were small the
lparties would have TO divide the loss, and
lwhere they were large they would also
have TO be divided. That, he maintained
twas the law today, because the law was
tthe perfection of reason.
| After routine business the senate took
mp he sundry civil appropriation bill and
disposed of half of it.
After short executive session the sen
ate adjourned.