The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-10-16
PATTISON ON THE
RIGHTS OF LABOR
Official Utterances of the Former
Governor.
URGED WISE AND JUST LAWS
The Highest Measure Of Protection
For All Workers Demanded.
Duty Of the State Clearly
Pointed Out.

Pointed Out.
LED THE WAY FOR REFORM
II was shown last week how Gov
ernor Pattisons record in approving
wise and needful labor legislation ex
ceeded that of any former or succeed
ing Pennsylvania executive. Thefollow.
ing extracts from official documents
will show how the legislature was
guided in the preparation and enact
ment of the labor laws now on the
statute books of the commonwealth.
1t may be remarked also that had the
former governors earnest recommen-
dation with regard to honest dealing
with the miners. in the weighing of
COAL been adopted the present de-
structive contest in the anthracite
mining region never would have been
known. At the last session of the
legislature a bill passed the house pro-
viding for the safeguarding of the
miners rights in this particular, but
it was not permitted to pass the SEN
ate by order of the Quay machine.
| Governor Pattison's record shows that
in the future, as in the past, he will
| firmly maintain every legitimate right
of all workers.
Just Labor Legislation Demanded.
A continual, though irregular strug
! gle is now and has Tor years been going
on between these two conflicting ele-
| ments (labUr and CapitaD. Complaints
OF injustice are constantly being made
| by one against the other, and each in
turn appeals to the state for remedial
! legislation. Such appeals should not
be unheeded, but shodld be attenuvely
listened TO and carefully considered
Inaugural Address, 1883.
A Better Remedy Than the Bayonet.
For government to shut its eyes and
close its ears to the Complaints and pc
titions of any body OF its citizens is
folly. Such course corrects nothing
and settles nothing. Particularly
should heed be given to the appeals OF
so large and important part OF the
community as those depending for sub
sistence upon the wages of toll. Labor
is the main pillar OF the state. AS an
honored statesman of our country has
said: Labor Is the superior OF capital
and deserves much the highest con
sideration." But the consideration
given to such matters should be de-
liberate and searching, and the relief
thorough and systematic, II 1t is to be
lasting and effectual. | cannot but in
dulge in the belief that our political
system is capable OF providing some
other remedy than the Dayonet for the
settlement OF such disputes.-Inaugura
Address, 1888.
Arbitration for Labor Disputes.
A measure has been introduced into
one OF your bodies to provide for the
settlement OF disputes between EN-
ployerS and employees in certain OF the
great Industries OF the state. This IL
a movement in the right direction
Though limited to but rev of the de-
partments of labor, yet it is beginning
upon subject that ought long ago tC
have received legislative action. Tht
concerns of that great body of oul
citizens who labor tor wages are EMIT
led to the most earnest consideration
The law should most zealousy ant
rigidly guard their interests and pro
tect their rights; When either is in
some resource in the law to which the!
: can look for assistaIce.-Special Mes
sage, 1888.
, Safety and Rights of Miners.
: 1t is recommended that commission
be created to revise the present btu
minouS mining laws, such commission
to be similar in all respects to the on,
appointed at the last session of tn,
legislature to revise the anthracit,
GUS coal has become business of enor
nous proportions, and the safety ant
rights of those employed in this Indus
try demand legislative consideration
A standard should be fixed whereof,
the fitness of men desiring the position
= of superintendent, mining boss AM
,, fire boss can be determined, and tn
/ duties of persons employed in those re
= spective positions can be clearly an,
specifically defined so as to fix the re
: sponsibility in cases OF accident.-Ann
= ual Message, 1883.
9 Anti-Pinkerton Deputy Law Recon-
\ mended.
/ LEGISLATION should be had looking L
the prevention of the introduction o
t armed bodies OF men, without the con
h sent of the authorities of the count
or state Under existing law there
9 no necessity for any company or cor
= poration introducing armed men VIII
r are not citizens of the state and VIII
= are unknown to its officers or to it
|. authority.-Annual Message, 1898.
: Protection of Women and Children
n The wisdom of legislation regulatin
the employment OF women and chill
dren has been more than demonstrate
s during the past year. The Factory &C
9 should be amended so that no mine
{ shall be employed in any factory O
s mercantile establishment for longe
J. period than ten hours per day
II | recommend that fourteen years
Q substituted as the age of employment
s of children (instead of 12).-Annua
Q Message, 1898,
! Urging Protection for Miners.
Your attention is called to the con
dition of the laws providing for tn
ventilation of the bituminous Goa
# mines of the state. The act providin
for the health and safety of anthracit
o miners has given general satisfactio
~ and brought about gratifying result,
, The numerous accident
e which are constantly occurring in tn
mining districts call for aid, as far a
legislation can go, in preventing thei
d recurrence. Surely every effort shoul