Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-20

people, as a whole, and amenable to
them if he misrepresents them, must
commend itself to those who have con-
fidence in the intelligence, and patriot
ism of the masses.
Direct Legislation.
The platform indorses the principle
of direct legislation. This is already
applied to the more important ques-
lions in nation, state and city. 1t
rests upon the sound theory that the
people can be trusted, and that the
ore responsive the government is to
the will of the people, the more free
it will be from misuse and abuse.
Labor Question.
Several planks of the labor plat
form are devoted to questions in which
the laboring classes have an immedi-
ate interest, but which more remotely
affect u entire population. While
what is generally known as govern
ment by injunction is at present di-
rected chiefly against the employees of
corporations, when there is a disagree
ment between them and their employ
er, it involves a principle which con
Germs every one. The purpose of the
Injunction in such cases is to substi-
tute trial by judge for trial by jury,
and is a covert blow at the jury sys-
TEN. The abolition of, government by
injunction is as necessary for the pro-
lection of the reputation of the court,
as it is for the security of the citizen.
Blackstone in defending trial by jury,
says:
"The impartial administration of
justice, which both our per-
sons, and u properties is the great
end of civil society, but if that be en-
trusted entirely to the magistracy, a
select body of men, and these selected
by the prince such as enjoy the high
est offices of the state their decisions
in spite of their natural integrity, will
have frequently an involuntary bias
toward those of their own rank, and
dignity. 1t is not to be expected from
human nature that the. few should be
always attentive to the interests and
good of the many"
If the criminal laws are not sufficient
for the protection of property, they
can be made more severe, but a citi-
zen charged with crime must have his
case tried before a jury of his peers.
The Blacklist.
The blacklist as now employed in
some places enables the employer to
place the employee under practical du-
ress, for the skilled laborer loses his
independence when the employers can
not only discharge him, but prevent
his securing any similar employment.
The blacklist enables employers to Sc
cure, by mutual agreement, that con-
troll over the wage earners which a
private monopoly exercises without
contract.
Arbitration.
The platform renews the demands
for arbitration between corporations
and their employees. No one who has
observed the friction which arises be-
tween great corporations and their
numerous employees can doubt the wis
dom of establishing an impartial court
for the just and equitable settlement
of disputes. The demand for arbitra-
ton ought to be supported as heartily
by the public, which suffers inconve-
nience because of strikes and lock-
outs, and by the employers themselves,
as by the employees. The establish
ment of arbitration will insure friendly
relations between labor and capital,
and render obsolete the growing r
tice of calling in the army to settle
labor troubles.
Department of Labor.
/ cannot too strongly emphasize the
Importance of the platform recommen-
dalton of the establishment of a de-
partment of labor, with a member of
the cabinet at it's head. When we re-
member how important a position the
laborer fills in our economic. social
and political fabric, it is hard to CON
ceive of a valid objection being made
to his recognition of his services. Ag-
riculture is Already represented in the
presidents official household; the ar.
my and navy have their representa-
tives there; the state department, with
its consular service, and the treasury
department, with it's close connection
with fiscal affairs, keep the executive
in touch with the business and COM
mercial interests. A cabinet officer
truly representative of the wage earn
ing class would be of invaluable aid,
not only to the %toilers, but to the pres
ident.
Chinese Exclusion.
The Chinese exclusion act has
proven an advantage to the country.
and its continuance and strict en-
forcement, as well as its extension to
other similar races, are imperatively
necessary. The Asiatic is so essenti-
ally different from the American that
he cannot be assimilated with our
population, and is, therefore, not de
sirable as a permanent citizen. His
presence as a temporary laborer, pre-
serving his national identity, and
maintaining a foreign scale of wages
and living, must ever prove an inius-
tice to American producers, as well as
a perpetual source of irritation.
Pensions.
The party expresses it's pride In the
soldiers and sailors of all our wars,
and declares its purpose to deal gem
erously with them and their depend
ents. A liberal policy is natural and
necessary in a government which de-
ponds upon a citizen soldiery, instead
of a large standing army. Self-lnter-
est, as well as gratitude, compels the
government to make bountiful provi-
l g o.. -- u T. ~