Rock Island daily Argus., 1893-01-12

no such thing as standing still. II they arc to
advance. It must be by their own conservative
and intelligent standing togethcr-ouly those
selves; the moment individuals or classes be-
come dependent they are objects OF charity,
and their case is then hopeless. II the labor
ing classes cannot thus stand together. they
will be reduced 10 the condition Of the labor
ing classes in the poorer countries Of the old
chasing power of the American laborer. and
with IL destroy also the great American market.
II ever lie American laborer is reduced TO that
condition where he can buy only a little coarse
clothing and little amount of coarse food, tbs
entire character OF our institutions will be
transformed, and the value OF much of our man
ufacturfng and railroad property depreoiated.
Strikes and Lockouts.
The question OF the protection OF non-com-
batants-the great public--in the event OF
strike or lockout must not be overlooked in this
connection. Conditions have so changed that It
can no longer be said that ii is nobody's busi-
ness what other people do. All the elemen IS of
ent, each class or interest has so adjusted
itself to the other classes or interests, TO be
in a measure dependent on them, and a suspen-
sion OF the operation OF one must injure the
whole. For example, strike railroad is
not limited TO contention between employer
and empoye, but it affects all people along
justed their affairs to the operation
OF the road, and who are entitled TO
protection at the hands of the state. Not only
this, but when large number of men are sud
denly thrown out of employment condi tions are
created which Deget p2uper1Sm ana crime ana
increase the burdens of the public. Especially
is this true when an employer, who has so far
interfered with the natural distribution OF pop
ulation as to cause a large number of men 70
settle where they would not otherwise have
settled, suddenly attempts TO discharge them
all at once and TO fill their places with others.
The reign OF law has so broadened in this
century as to cover almost every other contro-
versy between man and man, and in the devel-
subject the so-called labor Controversies' to
law This suggests the practicability of arbi-
tration, and raises the question OF the powers
Of the state in that regard There seems 10 ba
no doubt about the right OF tLt state TO mahe Il
thorough investigation and rel der decision,
but the difficulty arises in enforcing the decl-
willing employer 10 run his shop,
nor can it compel unwilling ,,ns9 employs cSe3
pei an employer who disregarCed its decision
and persisted in operating his y orks to pay the
expense OF any special protects, he received
On the other hand, If employees shs uid refuse
TO so 10 work in accordance with the terms or
q decision, the state can give its entire lover
in protecting the employer in hiring new men
but the moral influence alone OF Il state de
cision would in many cases be Sufficient TO end
o strike, aud some OF the states have auOpleu
laws crea ling boards of arbitration with this
end in view, while others have gone
further and attemDted in certain cases to
enforce the decisions o: boards of arbitration.
The constant increase in the use OF labor-saylng
machinery tends TO throw more aud more men
out of employment every year This sugges Is
the necessity Of shortening the hours Of labor
wherever this can be done by legislation, IN or
der that all may still be able to get employ
ment and also that the working classes may
derive some benefit from the great inventions
of the age.
While we already have erected four very large
hospitals for the insane still only about two
thirds Of the insane OF the state are properly
cared for Nearly one-third are in the poor
houses OF the state. where they cannot be cared
for, and exist in a horrible condition.
Child Labor and Sanitation.
The increasing density of population in our
Ia AsrY ~, hi Frnf hlI
been called the sweating SYSTEM, whereby
many people are made to work amid sanitary
c0hultiohs WhIch instantly lItPeTli tue He'II q
of the community, and the employment OF chill
dTen in factories and shops where they become
stunted in both body and mind and unfit for
citizenship, call for more thorough legislation.
Steps should also be taken TO facilitate the
families Tor dependent and neglected children
Municipal Powers.
a number of large cities, both in this country
and in Europe have made the experiment OF
| supplying their Inhabitants with water, gas,
electric light, and even operating the street
railways, with very satisfactory results. l
commend this subject TO your careful considera-
ton.
While our state has developed in every other
respect, we have made no progress in the mat
ter OF roads We are, IN this regard, almost
where VIC were tGlf u century ago, so that for a
uumbCr OF mon las in year roads are al
most !u paSsablc The less and Inconvenience
u tEiS f'lls most heavily on our agricultural
ccnruuuitics Not only is the farmer subjected
10 heavy loss in the wear aGi tear OF his
team, but he is frequently prevent ed from avail
ing himself of favorable markets by the
inpassability OF the roads. The state should
again take up the subject OF internal improve
ments, and adopt u policy that will tend to the
building OF good roads in everYcounty in the state
roads that be Travelled every day in the
year. AS the railroads do all the carrying for
long distances, wagon roads are, TO great eX-
tert local matter in each county This be
ing so, the roads will not need to be so wide,
and can, therefore, be more cheaply built than
would otherwise be possible. II is also prob
able that some of the convicts in our peniten-
tiaries could be used to prepare material for
the building OF roads
Penitentiaries.
An amendment to the constitution was adopt
ed by the people in 1885, which prohibits the
hiring OF convict labor This provision has
been evaded and disregarded, and the affairs OF
the penitentiary have been so managed in the
granting of space TO the contractors as TO make
own account After the amendment was pro-
posed, ana in anticipation of its adoption, some
contracts running for eight years were made. Al
though many other contracts had run out these
contracts have been presented as an excuse for
the failure to enforce the command Of the con-
stitution, but it has not been accepted as a
valid one by pthe people At the present
time nearly all contracts have by their terms
expired. The duty OF the legislature is plain
The convicts must be kept at work. few of
them could be set To. preparing material for the
the making of roads, but other employment
must be furnished for the remainder, Immedi-
ate action should be taken for the adoption OF
la plan for working convict labor con-
sistent with the fundamental law. I suggest
that many industries be established, SO as TO in
terfere as little possible with the markets
and outside labor and industries While this
| will require some considerable outlay for ma
chinery and tools, there is no doubt that the
penitentiaries can then, by proper manage
ment, be run without violating the law, without
becoming burden the state, and without
coming into ruinous competition with outside
free labor.
Penal Legis slation.
In this connection wish to call attention 70
the fact that, in the matter Of penal 5tslaton,
| our state is not abreast Of the times. We still
| adhere to the old system OF fixed sentences, un-
| der which the greatest inequality results; the
vicious and hardened are frequently given short
| terms by jury, while the comparatively inno-
cent are given long terms by another jury. AT
| best, first offenders and old criminals
| go in and out OF prison together, while
| rule all classes come out without
such training as will enable the individual
| to make living and utterly unable to find en-
| poyment Naturally these drift into career
OF crime and either prey upon the community
or are returned to prison Instead OF this
method some of the states have adopted a sys.
fi1,2. rfnS