The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-07-18
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
WHICH DROVGHT ABOUT THE EN-
ACTMENT or THE O'NEILL LAW.
In IL Tie Speaks OF the Necessity for
an Arbitration Law Which WIN
Ali in Settling Differences which
Arise Between Labor and Capital.

WASHINGTON. July 12.-The OXEN law
was enacted after the special message sent
by President Cleveland to congress April p,
1886. which was as follows:
'To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives:
The constitution imposed upon the presl-
dent the duty OF recommending to the con-
sheraton Of congress from time to time
such measures as he shall judge necessary
and eXpedient 1 am 50 deeply impressed
with the Importance Of immediate and
thoughtfuliy meeting the problem which re
cent events of the present condition have
thurst upon US involving the settlement by
arbitration of disputes arising between our
laboring men and their employers. that l
am constrained to recommend to congress
legislation upon this serious ana pressing
Under our form of government the value
OF labor as element OF national pros
perity should be distinctly recognized, ana
the welfare Of the laboring man should be
regarded as especially entitled 10 legislative
care. In a country which offers 70 all its
Citizens the highest attainment of a social
and political distinction, It's workingmen
cannot justly or safely be considered r.
revokably consigned 10 the limits OF a class
and entitled 10 no attention and allowed no
protest against neglect.
'The iaboring man. bearing in his hand
an indispensable contribution 10 our growth
and progress may well Insist with manly
courage and as a right upon the same rec
ognition from those who make our laws as
Is accorded to any other citizen having
valuable interest IN charge. and his reason
able demands should be met in such spirit
Of appreciation AMI fairness as TO induce
a contented and patriotic cooperation in
the achievements OF grand national des-
while the real interests OF labor are
not promoted by resort to threats and
violent manifestations and while those
who. under the preteXt of an advocacy OF
the claims Of labor, wantonly attack the
rights of capital, and for selfish purposes
the love OF disorder sow the SEEDS or
violence and discomfort. should be neither
encouraged nor conciliated ali legislation
on the subject should be calmly and de-
llberately undertaken with no purpose OF
satisfying unreasonable demands or Of
gaining partisan advantage.
The present condition of the relations
between labor and capital is far from salts
factory. The discomfort Of the employed
IL due In large degree 70 the grasping ana
needless exactions Of employers. Of the
alleged discrimination I'm favor of capital
as an object OF governmental attention. IL
must also be conceded that the laboring
men are not always careful 10 avoid cause
less and unjustihab,e disturbance.
Restrictions of the Constitution.
Though the Importance OF a better &C
cord between these interests is apparent,
It must be borne in mind that any effort in
that direction by the federal government
must be greatly limited by constitutional
restrictions There are many grievances
which legislation by congress cannot re-
dress and many conditions which cannot
by such means be reformed
II am satisfied, however, that something
may under federal authority prevent the
disturbances which so often arise from dis
putes between employers and the employed
and which, at times, seriously threaten the
business interests OF the country. In my
opinion the proper theory on when 70 pro-
coed is that of voluntary arbitration as the
means OF settling these difficulties But 1
suggest that instead Of arbitrators chosen
i'm the heat of conflicting claims, and after
such disputes shall arise, for the purpose OF
determining the same there be created
commission of labor. consisting of three
members who shall be regular officers OF
the government charged among other duties
with the consideration and settlement wnen
possible Of all controversies between labor
and capital
"a commission thus organized would
have the advantage of being stable body,
and its members, as they gained expert
ence. would constantly improve in their
ability TO deal lntelligenty and usefully
with the questions which might be sub