The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1900-07-27
PLEDGE CON
JEsSSTED.

The following article in the Democratic
platform adopted al Kansas City has failed
to attract the attention its importance de
serves:
We are opposed to government by in
junction: we denounce the blacklist and
favor arbitration as Il means of settling
disputes between corporations and their
employes. In the interest of American
labor and the uplifting of the workingm
as the cornerstone of the prosperity of our
country we recommend that Congress
create ii department Of labor in charge OF
a secretary with Il seat in the Cabinet. be-
lieving that the elevation Of the American
laborer will bring with ii increased pro
lection and increased prosperity to our
country Al home ana to our commerce
abroad.
The Republican platform deals at length
with the gold standard, the tariff, with
subsidies, reciprocity and the colonial and
forcign policy of the Administration. But
it has very little upon the subject of labor,
and promises little in the interest of the
laboring people, vino comprise SO large
portion of our population and almost the
entire mass Of wealth producers. I'VE
favor" says the Republican platform, Ga
more effective restriction of the immigra-
ton of cheap labor from foreign lands,
the extension of opportunities Of educa-
ton for working children, the raising of
the age limit fer child labor, the protection
of free Labor as against contract convict
labor and an effective system of labor in
ring of insinccrity. 1t has been the set
tied policy Of this Government during the
long years that it has been directed by the
tariff protected corporations that there
should he free trade and competition i'll
labor, that which thc manufacturers have
to buy, while the wall Of protection sur
rounded what they have to sell There is
no reason to anticipate any change in this
policy in the event of Republican success.
The extension Of the opportunities for
education, which are already reasonably
good, the age limit for child labor and the
other matters spoken OF are mainly with
the States and not with the Federal Gov
eminent. They are, therefore, in the main
merely empty professions, sounding brass
and tinkling cymbals.
The Democratic labor plank, on the other
hand, touches upon the vital questions
which now concern those who earn their
bread by the sweat Of the brow-govern-
mcnt by injunction, 50 called, the blacklist
and the settlement OF differences between
employers and employees by arbitration.
The complaint of laboring men and labor
organizations against the so-called govern
ment by injunction is based upon its opc--
atoms in several ways. 1t is complained
that it is 4 device to extend the iurisdic-
ton of the Federal Courts and to enable
them to NEEDLE with the local affairs of
prive men Of their constitutional right to
a trial by jury, and that iii every aspect it
is unius: and oppressive The Democratic
platform commits the party to opposition
against this system.
The party also denounces the black
list Few persons outside the labor or
CARNATIONS appreciate the enormous sig
niticancc of the blacklist system. Tween
ty-tve years ago Wendell Phillips, de-
scribing the evils OF the practice in New
England factories, predicted that if the
system should be allowed to gain a foot
hold and spread through the industrial
system "a new slavery far worse than
negro slavery in the effects on both the
individual and national life would be
developed According to an article in
the Arena, in March, 1899 Icy w j. Strong
the system has obtained a foothold and
has spread through the industrial system.
Mr.. Strong. who was the attorney for
blacklisted employee Of the Chicago and
Northwestern Railway Company, alleged
that the man was the victim of conspiracy
by the railroad companies to deprive him
and others of the right and opportunity
to gain living for himself and his family
The plaintiff in this case voluntarily left
the employment of the Chicago and
Northwestern Railroad during the strike
in 1894, but he did not take any part in
the strike. He aftcrward got employ
ment with another railroad, but the
Chicago and Northwestern pursued him
and had him discharged because he had
no clearance He was capable and
faithful employe, but when he applied for
"clearanceN it was refused he was not
able to get work with any other railway
company. Railroading Was his occupa-
ton. He knew nothing else, and being
shut off from that there was nothing but
starvation in sight for himself. his wife
and children He brought suit against
the company FOR conspiracy and proved
every allegation to the satisfaction of the
jury, which was composed Of employers
of labor They gave him verdict for
over $4,000 It is this "blacklist' system
which the Democratic platform denounces
and which Is not confined to the rail
roads
The article III the Democratic platform
favoring arbitration IL 4 means of settin e
disputes between corporations and their
employees Is eq"ally important and sug.
gestvc \ strike by the employees of a
steam II street railway or of = city
liehtin" plan, is mol a incr" question he
tween employer and ,ropipy". The whole
population is affected by the suspension
of business 81 the Danger to life and
property which is involved, and the
Government, State OF Federal, as the
case may be, has right to step in and
insist upon L fair settlement Of differences
It is believed by many wise people that
| a system of arbitration is thu faireSt and
| perhaps the only solution of the difficulty
| The stereotyped statement OF the corpor-
| alton manager that there is "rothing to
! arbitrate' is not true. There is great
| deal to aihtratr Tho Whole question is
| to arbitrate. and tie l'runis" Of the Demo