New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-11
RAILROAD MEMS RIGHTS.
THE RECENT DECISIONS DISCUSSED IN THE
SENATE
REVOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE INTERSTATE
COMMERCE COMMITTEE TO IN
VESTIGATE THEM.

Washington April 10.-ln the senate to-day Mr..
Butler reported from lie Committee on Interstate
Commerce resolution authorizing that committee to
Inquire into the dcsrabIlity OF repeating the section
Of the Interstate Commerce law against pooling; also
concerning the consular seal system; also whether
any notifications should be made in the law con-
corning the relations between common carriers and
their employs.
Mr.. PETER spoke In support OF the resolution. He
thought that Judge Rickss recent decision. which
had been good deal criticised by labor organizations.
would be approved by them when they came to under
stand better It's scope and to view it I'm all it, full
ness. The resolution was referred to the Committee
on Contingent Expenses
A resolution authorizing an investigation by the
Committee on Indian Affairs caused debate, which
drfted into discussion OF the recent judicial deci
slonS the relations between railroad corpora
tons and railroad employees.
Mr. German said that those decisions were the first
great step on the part Of the judiciary make sers
OF the men who were employed by railroad corpora
lions. IL the law warranted those decisions land
possibly II did then that law ought TO b. modified
or repealed. He did not believe that the American
people would ever submit to any branch Of the Gov
eminent whether judiciary or leslslatveD putting
such mpositions upon them put In the recent
judicial decisions.
The judicial decision that railroad employees
might be- restrained by order from the court, might
be- fined and imprisoned II they resigned their places,
was most extraordinary decision; and one that had
TO be met at the threshold Of the next Congress 1t
ought 10 be- inquired into carefully.
Mr. Plat said that he had not yet seen, in the
decision referred to. anything that looked like
usurpatiOn OF power by the Courts, or that looked
like degrading the worlngmen OF the country to the
condition OF scrfs. lie believed that the employees
Of railroads had more right TO engage In dscrimi-
nation Of commerce than their employers had. And
h. did not believe that there anything either in
the Interstate Commerce act or In the anti Trust act
that not affirmation Of well-considered and
welrstablshcd common law.
Mr.. Hoar rcmarl"t: that the anti-Trust law simply
extended to the commerce Of the United states the
principles Of the common law, so that he was quite
certain that such doctrine that apprehended by
the senator from Maryland would be warranted by
that law. The Interstate Commerce law WAS Il new
piece OF machinery.
Mr. Vest thought II unfortunate that that matter
should have come up for discussion BECAUSE It was
necessarily In the nature Of eyparte criticism. Every
lawyer knew how unsafe 1t was to take newspaper
statements Of judicial decisions. II any Judge had
declared such doctrine the senator from Maryland
spoke Of II would bc reversed by the supreme Court
OF the United states without one dissenting opinion.
Mr. Butler understood TINT one Of the points de-
cided al Toledo that the court had a right &c
enjoin the employees Of railroad corporation from
tions OF the road
Mr.. Bncc inquired more particularly TO what
Mr.. Vest understood to Ice Judge sperr's decision
ard told that Mr. Vest simply understood II TO
be exercise Of IN. ordinary jurisdiction Of Il court
the action, Of "a receiver appointed By IT,
Mr. VOORHEES, said that hls attention had been
called few mornings 10 the recent decisions
Of Judge Taft and Judge Kicks. and that those de-
cison, had prompted the resolution which he had
offered. He satisfied that the Inter state Com
m.rce act went further tfmn any one supposed IL did
the time OF it, passage. He had read Judge spcers
decision TO-DAY. lie thought. however that the
fault In the law. and perhaps In the willingness
and Of Federal judges 10 CoDstre the law
In favor Of corporite power and against the labor OF
the country
Mr. Platt did not feel that the criticism passed upon
ne judicial decisions referred Ia Were well taken.
They seemed DO cmincn'ly reasonable and In con
fornity with good law and common scnsc. Ih"
real. true lnboring man Of This country desired 10
engage In Orgln7ntion association, 10 b."
restrain trade. II was not wise. Mr.. Platt said. to
attack The judiciary Of The United states II was not
wis. 10 charge ~. judiciary with desiring 10 usurp
power. 1t wa not wi,r 10 intimate that judges were
cIar,. II WAS not wise to talk about the -poston
Of the judiciary to rcdnc" laborers 10 the condition
Of ~crfs alS abont abor"rs being chained To their
cars Tie lahorug had confidence I'm the
courts. and lie would De- protected In ali his legal
rights Bu, he lMr. Plato did not believe and the
lahDrlng did not believe. that while engaged In
The en- pOymrnt OF common carriers h" could choo e
hi own time To leave that employment. II was
not true matter Of law. tina, ID" employc could
always quit The srrylc" OF the common carrier. just
when and how hr might quit that service. and under
what circumstances. he would not undertake To say.
That might Be- safely left with the courts. II III"
courts Ind made any mistake I'm recent decisions the
Supreme Court Of the United states would set II right.
The debate continued by Senators Butler.
IIoar Culom. Call and Chandler. and then the que
Will have the floor TO speak upon IT,