St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-07-13
CLEVELAND WILL ACT.
Contiuued Tron Tirst Page.


tlement by arbitration of disputes aris-
ing between our laborlng men and their
employers. that am constrained to rec-
ommend to congress legislation upon
this serious and pressing subj eel.
Under our form of government The
value of labor as all element OF national
prosperity should be distinctly rec0gl.
nized, and the welfare of the lab0ring
man should be regarded as especially
entitled to legislative care. In a cOun-
try which offers to all its citizens the
highest attainment of social and pOliti.
justly or safely be considered as ire
vocaOly consigned 10 the limits of a
class and entitled to no attention and
allowed no protest against neglect.
THE LoBoRING MAN,
bearing in his hand an indispensable
contribution TO our growth and progress,
may we'll insist, with manly courage,
and as right, upon the same recogni-
ton from those who make our laws as
is accorded to any other citizen having
valuable interest in charge; and his
reasonable demands should be met in
such spirit of appreciation and fair
ness As to induce a contented and
patriotic cooperation in the achieve
ment of grand national destiny.
While the real interest of labor is not
promoted by resort to threats and
violent manifestations. and while those
who, under the preteXts OF an advocate
of the claims OF labor, attack the rights
OF capital ana for the love of disorder
sow the seeds of violence and discon-
tent, should be neither encouraged nor
conciliated, all legislation on the subject
should be calmly and deliberately
undertaken, with no purpose of sats-
Tying unreasonable demands or of gain.
ing partisan advantage.
The present condition Of the relations
between labor and capital is far from
satisfactory; the discomfort of the EN-
ployed is due in a large degree to the
grasplng and needless exactions of en-
ployers and the alleged discrimination
III favor of capital as an object of
GOVERNMENTAL ACTION.
1t must be also conceded that the
laborlng men are not always careful to
avoid causeless and unjustiiiable dis
turbance.
Though the Importance of a better
accord between these interests is ap-
parent, it must be borne in mind that
any effort IN that direction by the fed
eral government must be- greatly limit
are many grievances which legislation
by congress cannot redress, and many
conditions which cannot by such means
be reformed.
L am satisfied, however, that some
thing may be done under federal au-
thority to prevent the disturbances
which so often arise from disputes be-
tween employers and the employed. and
which at times seriously threaten the
business Interests of the country; and.
III my opinion, the proper theory on
which to proceed is that of voluntary
arbitration as the means of settling
these difficulties. :
But suggest that instead Of arbi-
traitors chosen in the heat OF conflict.
and after each dispute shall arise. Col
the purpose OF determining the same,
there Ue created commission of labor,
consisting or three members, who shall
be regular officers of the government,
charged, among other duties, with the
consideration and settlement, when
possible, OF all controversies DetWsen
LABOR AND CAPITAL.
A commission thus organized would
nave the advantage of being stable
BODY and Its members, as they gained In
experience. would constantly Improve
In their ability 10 deal intelligenllvr and
uSefuily with the questions which
might be submitted TO them. !" If
arOitratorS are chosen for temporary
service, as eacn case of dispute arises,
experience and Familiarity that IS in.
volyed i'll the O uestion will be lacking.
While extreme partisanship and bias
Will be the qualifications sought on
either side and frequent complaints of
unfalrness will be inevitable. The
imposition upon federal court of a
duty so foreign to the judicial function
as the selection OF an arbitrator in such
cases Is at least of doubtful propriety.
Tue establishment by federal author
lily or such a bareau will be iusi and
sensible recognitioA of the value of la
Dor and of its right to be represented
In the departments of the government,
so far as its conciliatory office had re-
iatlon TO disturbances which interfered
with transit and commerce between the
states, It's existence would be Justified
under the provisions Of the constitution
winch gives to congress the power to
regulate commerce with
FOREIGN NATIONS.
and among the several states, And in
the frequent disputes among the labor
ing men and their employers. of less
extent and the consequences of which
are confined within the state limits and
threaten domestic violence, the inter
position or Sucn al commission might be
rendered upon the application of the
legislature or executive of state under
the constitutional provision which re-
qulres Tie general government 10 pre-.
tect eacn OF the states against domestic
violence"
If such commission were fairly or
"a ri SlY Of
support and sympathy resulting from a
refusal to SUBMIT to so peaceful an in
strumentality would constrain both
parties 10 such disputes to invoke its in
reference and abide by Its decisions.
Ihere would also be good reason to hone
that the very existence of sue h an
agency would invite application 10 il for
advice and counsel, frequently resulting
III the avoidance OF contention and mis-
understanding.
II the usefulness of such a commits
sion be doubted because it might Lack
power 10 enforce its decisions, much EN-
couragement is derived from The COM
ceded good that has been Accomplished
by the railroad commissions which have
Deen organized i'll many states, anu. hay-
Ing little more than advisory power. have
eXerted most
oALO IARH INFLUENCE
In the settlement of disputes between
conflicting interests.
In July, 1884, by law of congress
a bureau of labor was established ard
placed in charge of commissioners of
labor, which was required to COLLECT
Information on the subject OF labor. its
relations TO capital, the earnings of
laboring men and women, and the
means of promoting their material. 30
cial, intellectual and moral prosperifv5;
Ihe commission which suggest could
be engrafted Oil the bureau thus already
organized by the addition of two more
commissioners, and by Supplementary
the duties now imposed upon it Nv siIchl
other powers and functions as woailll
permit the commissioners to act as arni-l
traitors when necessary between labor
and capital, under sucn limitations ana
upon such occasions as should be
deemed proper and useful.
Power should aiao be distinctly con-
ferred ON this bureau 10 investisateinej
causes of all disputes as they occur
whether submitted Tor arbitration, mr.
not, SD that information NAV always me
at hand TO aid legislation on Tin, sui,iart