Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-03

workmen Of unemployment, Is one of the
more recent menaces to the laboring man.
The independence Of the wage-earner de-
creases as the difficulty of obtaining en-
ployment increases and the skilled work
man, whose life has been spent in acquir-
ing efficiency in a certain trade or occupa-
ton, becomes practically the chattel of the
employer If every opportunity to make use
OF his experience is closed by agreement
between employers.
The laboring man is also interested in
legislation prohibiting oriental immigration.
1t is unfair to the American workman. who
Is the foundation of the nations wealth in
time Of peace and Its defense in time of
war, TO subject him to the danger of hav
ing his occupation given to an oriental la
borer, often brought in by contract who
has no permanent interest In our govern
ment. If the Asiatics come here, work for
a rev years, live on a lower scale, and
then carry home the net proceeds Of their
toll. the drain upon our money supply will
be similar to that caused by landlordism in
other countries. The political objections to,
oriental labor are scarcely less weighty
than the economic ones Race prejudice
cannot be disregarded, and we have seen
how, in every industrial depression. race
aDimosties result in riot and bloodshed We
cannot afford to bring into this country
those who cannot amalgamate with our
people.
Misuse of the Injunction.
The attempt to use the injunction of
court to deprive the laboring man of trial
by jury should alarm all our people, fol-
while the wage-earner is the first to feel
Its effects, the principle which underlies
government by injunction is so far-reach-
ing that no one can hope to escape ulti-
mately. The thing forbidden by an injunc-
ton would without the injunction be either
legal or Illegal. If it would be legal the
judge usurps the function of the legisla-
ture when he forbids It. II 1t would be
nOol yhn Int, 80
necessary, for any one who violates the
law cam upon conviction, be made to suf-
fer the penalties prescribed for such viola
tron. The meanest thief and the most bru
tai murderer are entitled to trial by jury;
why should this right be denied the laboring
man. Those who oppose government by in
junction are not in favor of lawlessness:
they are, on the contrary. the best friends
OF law and order. They deny the right of
any man to violate the law in an effort to
advance his own interests, but they insist
that 1t Is inconsistent with our ideas of
government and dangerous 10 all classes to
invest any judge with the three-fold power
first, to make the laws; second. to bring
accusation against those charged with the
violation Of the laws. and, third, to sit in
Judgment upon the case. Government by
Injunction is so indefensible that the anti
injunction bill, Endorsed by the Chicago
platform, passed the Senate without a yea
and nay vote being demanded. and since
that time no party platform has specifically
HluOTSeO government BY injunction and no
prominent member of any party has entered
upon a defense of the system: and yet cor
porate influence Is strong that it has
thus far been impossible to secure any re-
medal legislation.
Dishonest Public Servants.
Corruption in municipal state and federal
governments is due to the Misrepresentation
OF the people by public servants who use
their positions for private advantage. The
people should have an opportunity to vote
on public questions when those questions
can be submitted without too great incon-
venfence and expense. But the laboring
man is even interested in the proposition
to establish labor bureau with a ca binet
keep the executive in constant touch with
the wage earners of the country, and open
the way to the redress of their present and
future grievances. If labor is given
place In the Presidents official household
the man selected will necessarily be a wor-
thy and trusted representative of the people
for whom he speaks, and his presence ut
abinet meetings will give to those who toll
for their daily bread assurance that their
Interests will be properly guiding.
Mr.. GomDers, the chief executive of the
Federation of Labor has. in his CORE
spondence with the Secretary of the Treas
ury, ably presented the laboring men,
reasons for opposing a gold standard and
a national bank currency. that 1t Is not
necessary to discuss those questions at this
time.