The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-01-23

sary to labor rs labor is to them. Both
should ne protected in their rights.
Both should be given equal Legislative
opportunity. Labor arises from neces-
sity more than from inclination and is
seldom inviting unless remunerative.
Capital depends upon intellectual force
and direction.
POWER OF THE DOLLAR.
\ dollar is u conscienceless thing. OF
Itself it earns no interest and declares
no dividends, and is incapable Of much
good or harm. It's aggregate power,
with intellectual force behind it, is in
calcalable for good or for evil Its ae-
cumulation and use is the chief ambi-
tion and employment ofmanl,ind. The
State that permits large aggregations OF
capital to be employed should surround
the artificial person thus created with
the same restrictions, privileges and
! protection which il gives the individual
citizen. The laws affecting each should
be just and equitable The burden of
taxation should rest justly aud equita-
/ bly, on both, having due regard TO every
privilege, and advantage and related
interest. Neither should BE- a target
lor the denagogue or the tool of the
avaricious. Wise laws Tigi,ily enforced
are Indispensable 10 both as well a. to
the state. Every man has the right TO
sell his labor az his own price and j.
entitled 10 protection in its perfor-
nance.
Labor has the right to organize for
mutual protection and advantage the
same as capital; but neither labor nor
capital has the right TO combine to pre-
vent men from working at any price
they please, no more than capital has
the right to control or prevent the nat
urai channels Of industry 50 rs to de-
press the price Of labor or raise the cost
of living. have been constrained TO
dwell somewhat in commonplace sug-
ecstion upon this subject, because in
the further Development Of our mate
ria, wealth il Is necessary for the peace
and dignity OF the state, and for the
preservation of TIE lives and property
of her citizens that there shall be no
recurrence Of law breaking methods 20
force a settlement Of private disputes.
The State is concerned that there shall
be industrial peace; that mining manu-
featuring, trade and commerce shall
continue without interruption and 10
the advantage OF all concerned; and /
shall regard il as one of the most sol
cmn obligations of my oath of Office 10
see % it that the peace and dignity of
the commonwealth be maintained and
the laws enforced and open defiance
thereto restrained promptly and at
whatever needed cost.
POWER OF PUBLIC SENTIMENT.
While thc question of the peaceful
settlement Of contentious between or
sanized labor and capital is almost as
old as organized society, yet the subject
is more important and momentous now
than ever before. Recent experiences
in this country indicate that public sen
timent and matured Judgment result
ing from knowledge of the facts have
uniformly been the best and most pow
erfll arbiters Of such disputes. But,
public sentiment operates after the
fact, and is rarely preventive. II the
general public could be fully informed
OF the facts and merits of the disputes
that bring about strikes and infractions
OF law, before the parties reach q bellig-
erent attitude, public sentiment would
generally guide the way to peaceful
and just settlement.
The apparent legal obstacles con-
fronting what is generally termed
compulsory arbitration" and the dis
inclination to voluntary arbitration,
have rendered both comparatively in
effective in this country. Some sure
legal method Of asceriaining the fact
and laying them bare to the public be
fore disputes result in violation Of law,
destruction OF property or injury to
public rights, whether denominated
conciliation or arbitration, would bring
the merits of both sides Of the contest
before the public for its Judgment,
where the right is sure t. prevail. The
limits of this address prevent more than
a mere Suggestion upon the subject, but
! may add that to maintain Il sound
and healthy public sentiment, 80 requi-
site to our form OF government, care
should be taken not only a to the NOR
al and intellectual development Of the
rising generation, blt that the patriot
ism aud Americanism of our people
should not be contaminated or weak
encd by infusiOls of popUlat on not
having the natural endowments, eapac-
titles, training or desires to become an
honest, law abiding and useful part of
our nationa. economy.
TIE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
When we consider that the general
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