The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-09-28

them II he misrepresents them, must
commend itself to those who have con-
fdence in the intelligence, and patriot
ism of the masses. :.
Direct L~egislatlon.
The platform Endorses the princi-
pie OF direct legislation. This is al
ready applied to the more important
questions in nation, state and city. 1t
rests upon the sound theory that the
people can be trusted, and that the
more responsive the government is to
the will OF the people, the more free
1t 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 immediate
interest, but which more remotely eff
feet our entire population. While what
is generally known as government by
Injunction is at present directed chief
ly against the employees of corpora
lions, when there is a disagreement be-
tween them and their employer, 1t in
wolves a principle which concerns
every one. The purpose Of the In
junction in such cases is to substitute
trial by Judge for trial by jury, and is
a covert blow at the jury system. The
abolition of government by injunction
Is as necessary for the protection 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 secures both our persons,
and II properties Is the great end Of
civil society. but IL that be entrusted
entirely to the magistracy, a select
body of men. and those selected by
the prince such as enjoy the highest
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"
~ - ~ Vi n1ud1 laws dI0 uOI Sui1Cl0uL
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
duress. 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 n which q
private monopoly exercises without
contract.
Arbitration.
The platform renews the demand
for arbitration between corporations
and their employees. No one who has
observed the friction which arises be.
tween great corporations and theil
numerous employees can doubt The
wisdom Of establishing an impartial
court for the. just and equitable set.
Element Of disputes. The demand fol
arbitration ought to be supported a.
heartily by the public, which suffer.
Inconvenience because OF strikes ant
lockouts. and by the employers them
selves. as by the employees. The estab
lishment OF arbitration will insur.
friendly relations between labor and
capital. and render obsolete the grow
Ing practice Of calling In the. army t
settle labor troubles.
Department OF Labor
I cannot too strongly emphasize tn,
importance OF the platform recon
mendation Of the establishment OF
department of labor. with q membe'
OF the cabinet at Its head. When ",
remember how Important 4 position
the lRborer nils In our economic, 20
cial and political fabric. It Is hard d
conceive OF q valid objection beinI
made to this recognition Of his serv
Ices. Agriculture Is already represent
edsin the presidents oficial household
the army and navy have their repre-
sentativesther tho state department
With III consular service, and IN
trsaanry department. With its clos
connection With Ascal AisAiFs, kept III
executive IN touch With tn bushes
and commercial interests. cahlne