River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-12-08

grafton Laws.
Washington, Dec 5. President
ROOseYelt's annual message to con-
gress makes some $4,000 words. In ac-
cOrdance with established custom con-
siderable space is devoted to a re-
sumo of the year in the administrative
departments of the government, but
much Of the message is given up to
discussion of those subjects which are
considered of vital interest to the ma
ton, and upon many of which he
deems legislation needed. 1t is this
portion of the message which we give
below.
To the Senate and House Of Representa-
Gives: The nation continues to enjoy note
worthy prosperity. Such prosperity is of
course primarily due to the high individ-
ual average of our citizenship, taken to-
gether with our great natural resources;
but an important factor therein is the
working of our long continued govern
mental policies. The people have en-
phatically expressed their approval of
the principles underlying these policies,
and their desire that these principles be
kept substantially unchanged, although
Of course applied in a progressive spirit
TO meet changing conditions.
Caution Against Extravaganza.
The enlargement of scope of the func-
lions of the national government required
by our development as a nation involves,
of course, increase of expense; and the
period of prosperity through which the
country is passing justifies expenditures
for permanent improvements far greater
than would be wise in hard times. Bat
teships and forts, public buildings, and
improved waterways are investments
which should be made when we have the
money; but abundant revenues and a
large surplus always invite extravaganza,
and constant care should be taken to
guard against unnecessary increase of
the ordinary expenses of government.
The cost of doing government business
should be regulated with the same rigid
scrutiny as the cost of doing private
business.
Capital and Labor.
In the vast and complicated mechanism
of our modern civilized life the dominant
note is the note of industriaism and the
relations of capital and labor, and es-
pecially of organized capital and organ
lied labor, to each other and to the pub
lie at large come second in Importance
only to the intimate questions of family
life. Our peculiar form of government,
with Its sharp division of authority be-
tween the nation and the several states,
has been on the whole far more adVan-
tageous to our development than a more
strongly centralized government. But it
Is undoubtedly responsible for much of
the difficulty of meeting with adequate
legislation the new problems presented
by the total change in industrial condi-
lions on this continent during the last
half-century. In actual practice it has
proved exceedingly difficult, and in many
cases impossible, to get unanimity of
wise action among the various states on
these subjects. From the very nature of
the case this is especially true of the laws
affecting the employment of capital in
huge masses.
With regard to labor the problem Is no
less important, but it is simpler. AS long
as the states retain the primary control
of the police power the circumstances
must be altogether extreme which re-
Quire interference by the federal author
tiles whether in the way of safeguard
ing the rights of labor or in the way of
seeing that wrong is not done by un-
ruly persons who shield themselves be-
hind the name of labor. If there is re-
sistance to the federal courts, interior
ence with the mails, or interstate COM
merce, or molestation of federal proper
ty, or If the state authorities in some
crisis which they are unable to face call
for help, then the federal government
may interfere; but though such interior
ence may be caused by a condition of
things arising out of trouble connected
with some question of labor, the interfer~
enCe itself simply takes the form of re-
storing Oruer WlInOuI regard 10 the QuGS-
lions which have caused the breach of
Order-for to keep order is a primary
duty and In time of disorder and vio-
lenCe all other questions sink into abey
anCe until order has been restored In
the District of Columbia and in the ter
ritOries the federal law covers the entire
field of government; but the labor ques-
ton is only acute in populous centers of
commerce, manufactures or mining
Nevertheless, both in the enactment and
n nnfnrNnnnnf n w foAn
government within It's restricted sphere
should set an example to the state gov
ernments. especially in a matter so vital
as this affecting labor. 1 believe that un-
der modern industrial conditions it is
often necessary, and even where not
necessary 1t is yet often wise, that there
should be organization of labor in order
better to secure the rights of the individ-
ual wage-worker. All encouragement
should be given to any such organiza-
ton, so long as it ID conducted with a
due and decent regard for the rights of
others, There are in this country some
labor unions which have habitually, and
other labor unions which have often,
been among the most effective agents in
working for good citizenship and for up
lifting the condition Of those whose well
fare should be closest to our hearts. But
when any labor union seeks improper
ends. or seeks to achieve proper ends by
improper means, all good citizens and
more especially all honorable public serv-
ants must oppose the wrongdoing as
resolutely as they would oppose the
. wrOngdoing of any great corporation. OF
course any violence, brutality or corrllD-
ton should not for one moment be toler-
ated. Wage-workers have an entire right
TO organize and by all peaceful and honor
able means TO endeayor to persuade their
fellows to join with them in organiza-
tons. They have a legal right, which,
according to circumstances, may or may
not be a moral right, to refuse to work
in company with men who decline to join
their organizations. They have under no
circumstances the right to commit vio-
fence upon those, whether capitalists or
wage-workers, who refuse to support
their organizations, or who side with
those with whom they are at odds; for
mob rule is intoIerable in any fccm.
Employers Liability Law.
The wage-workers are peculiarly en-
titled to the protection and the encour-
agement of the law. From the very ma
ture Of their occupation railroad men. for