St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-07-18
THE PROPOSED CONTRACT
LABOR SYSTEM,

Inc proposed appllcatl0n or tile mari
time laws TO those engaged in interstate
commerce lis one of the results of the
pending labor disturbances, and calls for
much attention and discussion. 1t is
said that several of the members of the
congressional committee of investiga-
ton are seriously considering this mat
ter, and that the committee may con-
clude that such a course would be the
most advisable. as being almost a GER
tain preventive of extensive outbreaks
such as that now distracting the coun-
try.
The maritime laws treat all agree.
ments as to wages between sailors and
vessel masters as contracts. binding
upon both alike; and any strike or revolt
or refusal to work Oh the part of the
sailors is defined as mutiny and punish
able as such. Contracts are terminabIe
only with the season of navigation, if
not otherwise specified in the instru-
ment. This prevents abnormal disturb
ances, and enables vessel owners to
make contracts for transportation of
freight for several months ahead with
the certainty of doing profitable bust
ness. The system works no injus-
tice to the sailors, for they are working
on surety during good behavior, and
need not fear being thrown out of en-
ployment without due warning. And it
is found to be mutually satisfactory.
besides guaranteeing to shippers greater
uniformity of rates than would be other
wise possible.
There is much to be said in favor OF
such system as this. A single in
stance of the injustice of the existing
order of things may be cited: at the
beginning of the building season of
1893 all OF the building contractors had
made preparations for season of I'M
exampled activity. The opening OF the
worlds fair was at hand. and there was
an active demand for houses, stores and
offices. Property owners raised money
by mortgaging their real estate. propos-
ing to invest 1t In buildings. Contracts
were let in large numbers, based upon
the prevailing cost OF labor and mate
rails. But first the briekmakers. then
the carpenters, then the fathers and
plasterers struck for higher wages.
Work was stopped upon many build
ings. Some contractors acceded to
the demands of the strikers and finished
their work at heavy loss. from which
few Of them have yet recovered.
The GLOBE would regret the consum-
nation of such plan as that proposed.
1t believes in the fullest liberty. but not
in license. Each man is entitled to the
privilege of controlling his own actions,
but no man has the right or should be
permitted to dictate the course that
others shall pursue OH matters that af-
feet their own interests. But If in
dividual liberty Is to be abridged at all.
it should not be in the direction of en-
couraging riot and iawleSsness and
breaches of contracts. The right of men
to quit work whenever they choose car
ries with it the right to resume their &C.
cupation at any time 1t shall please
them to do so; and above all.nothing
that savors of lawlessness should be
tolerated.
If the extreme methods suggested for
preventing breaches of the public peace
are adopted, the workingmen will have
no one to blame but themselves. They
have had all the liberty they have &c.
sired, but instead Of improving, they
have abused their opportunities. They
have taken it for granted that all the
world was arrayed against them and
anxious to do them injury, although the
fact is that their interest has been the
common welfare. Like the man who
buried his talent Ill the ground, they
have incurred condemnation rather
than praise, and they will have no just
causes for repining if they have to suffer
the consequences.