The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-09-03
ARBITRATION VOLUNTARY.

Arbitration between empl oyer and en-
pioyed could never be secured By the ndop-
ton of so-calied compulsory arbitration
law" or course compulsory arbitration
would be curtailment of the right of free
dom of contract. The constitution OF the
United States would have TO be changed
the whole theory and practice Of the
American governments would have 20 be
changed: the principle Of individualism
would be abandoned. OF course eompul-
sorry arbitration would be impossible of
enforcement without a complete change in
our form Of government. and If this took
place the government board would have
the pay of the workmen aud business of
the employer both 81 its mercy. Even to-
day while the employer keeps his con-
tracts, the employe is ready to break his
contracts ~ the will OF labor. The Phila-
delphfa Press says:
THE Chicago tie-up' itself was de-
mand on the companies to break their
contracts with the Pullman company, con-
tracts equally binding In law and
in morals. A more fragrant at
tempt 10 coerce men into the vlilainy of
breaking their pledged word was never
seen. Yet hosts of sympathizers with the
strike wholly overlook this cardinal fact. "
Arbitration between employer and en-
ploye can only be voluntary; compulsory
arbitration could not be enforced any
more than you can force in practice today
q workIngman to keep his contract. In
theory you can. but in practice you can
not Compulsory arbitration would mean
TO deny the owners of capital invested IN
railroads. manufactures. etc, the liberty
Of making their own bargains. This
would make capital shun investment here
and fly TO other countries, leaving the
mass of labor with nothing to do but to
ask one another whether after all national
poverty is blessing when consequent
upon the persecution and ultimate ex-
patriation of capital. This evil day was
predicted by Macaulay. the great English
historian, in letter TO Randall. author OF
"The Life of Jefferson" in 1851. Among
other things, Macaulay said:
cit is clear as the daylight that your
government will never be able to hold I'M
der control a suffering and angry majority,
because in your country the govern mens
| rich. who are in the minority, are abso-
| lutely at their mercy. A day will come
| in the state OF New York when the multi
| tude between half a breakfast and the
| hope of half dinner will elect your iegis-
latoFs. Is II possible to have any doubt as
| 10 the kind of legislators that will be cleo
/ ted
You will be obliged to do these things
| which render prosperity impossible. Then
/ some Cesar or some Napoleon will take
| the reins of government in hand. Your
republic will be piiiaged and ravaged in
| the twentieth century, just as the Roman
! Empire was by the barbarians of the iiith
| century. with the difference. that the de-
| vastators OF the Roman Empire, The Huns
| and Vandals. came from abroad, while
| your barbarians will be the natives Of
| your Own country, and the product of
| your own institutions"
Macau.ay, in the phrase, "your own In
/ situations" alluded TO the workingmen's
| associations" which had already begun
| to be organized In 1857, when the indus
I trial movements in the United States xas
| in its infancy. But he foresaw what was
| coming. violent socialism aud the knights
| OF Labor.