Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-07-03
Mckinley on Labor.

IL Was not HecstsATy, SAYS the sioux
City Journal, that representiyes Of the
American Federation of Labor should
call upon President Mckinley and OBJ
tain from bis own lips a declaration
favorable 10 the organizations of labor
ers to convince the American people
that their president is heart and head
in sympathy with the laboring people
of the country. But the secretary and
president did call upon President Nc
Kinley and got from him decided ex-
preston:
Il regard the organization of labor as
a natural and legitimate effort TO secure
its rights"
These are the words credited to Pres
ident Mckinley. No effort is required
20 believe the credit accurate. The
words are like President Mckinley.
They are in accord with his we'll known
views. He has a record as private
citizen, as legislator and as governor
entirely consistent on this question.
While governor Of Ohio in 1892 Nc
Kinley recommended Legislation for the
safety and comfort Of railroad en-
ployes and repeated the recommenda-
tion year later, and specifically urged
the furnishing of automatic couplers
and air brakes to cars. He drew atten-
ton to street railways and urged leg
islative requirements for the safety Of
employees and travellers. The legisla-
ture of Ohio upon his recommendation
passed law requiring vestibnles on
street cars to protect the motormen-
1t was in congress that he made a
speech calculating the principles of ar
bitration as it had not been done be-
fore, applying the principles TO labor
troubles as well as to international com.
plications. and two months later the
Massachusetts law creating state board
Of arbitration was passed, the first Of IT'D
kind. During his first term as governor
the state board of arbitration was Great.
ed, after the pattern Of the Massa.
chusetts board. the Ohio board being
the third of many state boards. This
law was passed in Ohio as an admin
istration measure, having the hearty
support of Coy. Mckinley. Under the
the law during McKinlsy's term a mum
Der of settlements of labor troubles were
made. the chief being the settlement
Of the great Massilion miners strike
But aside from this record of effort,
put forth for good laws in the interes
of laboring men. President Mckinley
by reason of his championship of lawl
for the protection Of American work
ingmen, deserves the confidence OF tn,
people. His whole tariff system il
founded upon consideration Of tn,
rights and needs Of labor. This fsatur,
of what has been called McKinleyisn
has been denounced, denied, misrepre
sented and ridiculed by tie opposition
for years, but the history of reeen
years in industrial life in the Unitet
States proves conclusively the correct
ness OF President McKinley's position
Those who dsnounce McKinle-ism de
nounce the rights Of American lsbor.
The republican party is committe,
absolutely to policy of protection (,
American labor. The immigration law
which have been passed received th
warm support of republicans. Ere,
homesteads were the gift of the repub
lican party to the farmers of America
The republican national platform OF
which Mckinley was elected presiden
pronounced in Savo. 6. nat;ona
board of arbitration to settle labor dis
putes. The party is committed to
policy in line with the record Of tn
president.
The query put to President McKinle,
by Mr.. Gompers was unnecessary, bu
the answer was right, and just wha
ought to have been expected. TIL
laboring people Of the United State
will fare well under the present ad
ninistration.