Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-01-17

urged.
On the question of capital and labor
the governor dwelt more fully than
upon any other matter. He said:
Notwithstanding the widespread
distress which has resulted from indus
trial Stagnation, our state has been
ngularly free from those nantes
taionS of lawleSSneSS which have
brought 2.Scred.t upon several states
This fac, bears witness To the law
abiding character of our citizens. 1t
emphasizes, also, the obligation which
rests upon the law-making body OF
the STATE to watch carefully and IN.
partially the interests of all classes OF
cttlEtnS, and to enact laws, as they
may become necessary. to meet the
changing industrial conditions; laws
whicA shall ensure To labor the just
and fair rccompenSe of toll, and At the
same time encourage capital in the de-
velopmcnt of our enormous resources.
1t has been charged that there has
come to be among corporations en-
ploying large numbers of men. A SyS-
tenn of blaCk-listing. so called, under
which an employer having grievance
against former employee advises or
warns other employers not to give
employment to the person against
whom the grievance exists. While
there may be eases in which incapa-
city or reckless disregard of duty
by an cmployc, leading to his dis
charge on that ground, might Justify
an employer in warning other employ
erS from taking such person into
thAir service; or, where an employee HAS
betrayed in Il dishonest manner a
trust, Il former employer might be
justified IN protecting others by proper
notification: nevertheless, 1t would
seem to be true that where an EN-
ploye, entirely faithful and compe-
tent, quits service in manner not to
endanger public safety, because of
grievance mel or supposed; or, because
compelled to do so by the action of
an association to which he belongs.
simply exercises his right to quit, and
neither commits nor inctcS violence,
it is without justification. 1t is for
the puUlic interest that, SO far as may
be. evc"y Industrious, sober and com
petent man should be employed. |
cannot but regard an arrangement
among a large number of employers
not to employ or permit to be en-
ploycd If they can prevent it, com
petcnt and faithful men, simply be-
cause they quit the service of some
other employer, as conspiracy which
ought not to be tolerated by the law.
This comedies the right of EN-
ployerS to chose their employees and
to discharge them at will, unless re-,
strained by contract The right of
employees, unless similarly restrained,
is just us complete and just as sacred.
The employer is not to be punished by
boycott or black-listins for exercising
his right to discharge and the en-
ploye is not to be punished BY boy,
colt or black-listing for simply eXer.
cising h;S right to quit. The employer
has no more right 10 be protected by
the law from conspiracy on the part
"
protected by law against Il conspiracy
on the part Of employers. This eXemp-
ton of employees or laboring men from
persecut on by employers for quitting
is peculiarly important in this day OF
commercial distress. If the law as ii
now stands does not protect men who
have quit the service Of employers
from black listing, such as | have in
dicated, it should, in my Judgment, be
so amended as to plainly include it.
1t is of the highest Importance that
the best possible relations should eX-
list between capital and labor. Neither
should be permitted to invade the
rights of the other; each should deal
with the other in the spirit of concila-
ton, and in the settlement of differ
ences, arbitration should, so far as
possible, be made to take the place Of
strikes and lock -OutS | confess | do
not see my way clear TO any efficient
scheme Of compulsory arbitration, I'M
der existing constitutional provisions;
nor am ] certain that such a scheme is
ltoSSlDlb, "llHDtl IINblNlHS Tue SUI r
render, by both labor and capital, Of
rights which men hold to be very sac
red. 1t must be borne In mind that
the right of llen to contract with each
other is fundamental in our constitu-
ton, and that any subrogation Of this
right must work serious disadvantage
To all concerned. | am not willing to
admit, however, that the state may not
through the investigation and concil-
iatory Intervention of officials provided
for by law, do much toward bringing
about the adjustment Of differences
between labor and capital which shall
be at once honorable and fair TO both
sides. The object is so important Of
accomplishment as to justify expert
mental legislation upon the matter. !
bespeak for the subject your most
thoughtful and careful delberation,
with assurance of earnest executive
cooperation in any feasible plan which
your wisdom may devise