The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-05-02
Divide and BE Conquered.

we have received several communications
and been asked verbally number of times,
what Is the meaning of the formation of
so many societies avowedly in favor of re-
form in the line Of the Peoples party and
yet differing from it, as, for instance, the
Loyal Americans?
Without questioning the motives Of the
originator of these movements, or the edi-
tors of quasi-reform papers, we would say
that 1t has always been the maxim of war
to first divide then destroy" Whatever
the motive of the originators of these So
cieties or the editors of the papers, the eff
feet is just the same, the division of the re-
form forces into inefficient fragments.
The platform of the Peoples party con-
tains the three essentials of reform, de-
clarlng for land, transportation and means
OF communicating intelligence and financial
reform" That those three essentials the
foundation on which rests the entire struc-
tufe or civilization, must be held by the
government as a sacred trust for the peo-
pie that live, and the inalenable legacy of
the unborn generations Of men.
Reform is impossible without the con-
centration of all that believe in the neces-
slty for new party, rallying around one
standard no true reform can object to the
Omaha platform a whole; and if any diff
ferences exist, as to minor details, then it
is their duty as patriotic citizens to support
the Peoples party as now defined by the
Omaha platform, until it is changed by the
power that made it, to wit: the representa-
tlves of the peoplet, in national council as
sembled. We would advise all citizens to
beware of entangling themselves with or
CARNATIONS that are not Squarely placed on
the Omaha platform of principles.
ARBITRATION AND LABOR PROB
LENS.
We hear a great deal said about arbitra-
ton as the panacea for labor troubles be-
tween employed and employer; but we have
as yet found no employer of labor willing
to arbitrate on just basis, neither have
we ever heard Of any committee composed
of politicians and business men that have
made a fair proposition.
In the recent suggestion made to the A.
X. U. by the business men of the Twin Cit
les, in reference to the Great Northern
strike, a proposition was made to arbitrate
the matter by allowing the strikers to ap-
point one arbitrator, j. J. Hill to appoint
one arbitrator. and the district judges of
the United States court to appoint three
arbitrators Taking into consideration the
late action of the federal judges in their
Willingness to legislate in behalf of the COR
porations, through the Illegal issuing Of in
functions a committee so composed might
reasonably be inferred to consist of four to
one in favor of the Great Northern Rail-
way Company
While not in favor of a committee of
arbitration SO formed, should be glad
to hear of proposition to arbitrate this
matter on a basis just to the men, the pub
lie ana the railway company, on pure bust
ness principles. A committee formed
should place the railway on the same
basis, as far as investment is concerned
as all other business is at the present
time. Nay, willing to do better by
them; all business stock of buildings and
materials has suffered a depreciation: we
ask that that the Great Northern Railway
be valued at it's actual value now-that is
what it would cost to replace 1.-THE wear
and tear taken into consderat ton, just as
every merchant has to value his stock
Then allow the bondholders and stock
holders fair rate of interest on this
amount, as other investments as safe as
government bonds; say to AZ per cent ;
cut down the salaries OF high-grade Of
fcials little, if necessary; stop the free
pass and special rate system, and then if
the road does not pay, touch the wages Of
the men as a last resort, leaving the lowest
paid employees wages intact If such an
arbitration committee should find that the
road SO valued will pay the scale asked for
and will leave balance, justice demands
that, in accordance with the depression in
all other business, this balance be divided
with the business men of the country, by
q reduction of passenger and freight rates
Let us have justice in arbitration and
the men will arbitrate.