The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-08-08


which is engaged in transportation in
terests so distinct from the interests
of chose who carry on its work tina
it has a vital concern" in opposing
Hesitation asked by the employees?
Or does Mr. Van Cleave limit his
definition to big manufacturers and
big merchants and big railway corpor-
ations? 1t might be well for Mr.. van
Cleave to furnish plans and specifica-
oions with his appeal so that the pub
lie will know exactly who are included
in the phrase business men," Surely
not all of those who are pecuniar1iy
interested in manufacturing, merchan-
dising and railroading will feel that
they are called upon to enlist in war
against the laboring man.
But what is this labor plank which
is of such vital concern to those Tor
whom Mr. Van Cleave would speak?
IT asks that a labor department be Gre
ated, with cabinet officer at its head.
Does this offend the business men!
Are the wage earners presumptuorS
or impudent in asking for recognition
in the presidents council chamba
Those known as wage earners consEl-
tute a considerable percentage of the
populations; is it unreasonable that
they should have a specials champion
in the cabinet, to represent them in
the discussion of public questions? 1t
was some time before a department
of agriculture was created; will any
body doubt that the creation of this
department was wise? Will anybody
dispute that this department has been
OF immense advantage TO the farmers
of the country? What reason have we
to doubt that a department of labor
would in like manner justify its crea-
don? We have more lately created
a department of commerce and labor
hut the head of that department has
represented commerce rather than Ia
Dor.
The platform draws a distinction be-
tween wage earners and producers
organized for the protection of wages
and the improvement of labor condi-
tions. and industrial corporations
which act in restraint of trade. The
difference between a labor organiza-
ton and trust is SO apparent that m
disinterested person will deny thai
they should be treated separately
To class the two kinds of organiza-
lions together, and deal with them un-
! der one law, is bound to do injustice tt
one or the other Surely the bushes:
men can have no vital concern" II
| including the labor organizations Il
| the anti trust laws.
The democratic platform also de-
| clares in favor of the eight-hour Ola.
! on government work and the employ
| ers' liability act, but as these plank
| are also in the republican platform
| they can not, of course. be offensive
to Mr.. Van Cleave.
! The democratic platform also fav
! ors the passage of a measure which
passed the United States senate il
1896, but which a republican congress
has ever since refused to enact, pro
| viding for trial by jury in cases of in
direct contempt Can this raise
! question of vital concern to bushes
! men? The business man has the riga
of trial by jury; every man Charge
with a crime has the right of trial b.
| jury. What public interest is ther
that will suffer by the granting of tnf
safeguard to wage earners? The RICH
of trial by jury in cases of indirec
! contempt is no reelection upon tn
! court Is it a reflection upon tn
| court if a party to the trial of a cas-
! at law asks for a jury? Is it a refiec
ton upon a criminal judge that h
must permit the accused to be trie'
| before jury of his peers? Where tn
contempt is not committed in the pres
| ence of the court, it must rest upol
| evidence. In such a case, the judg
! has no information except that whici
| he secures from witnesses, and it !
+, che special function of the jury Il
weigh evidence and to decide upon TIN
credibility of witnesses. An attemp
| has been made to raise a false issu
in regard to the courts and to max
/ it appear that the demand for tria
by jury is an assault upon the integ
| rity of the courts. Those who MAX
this argument might as well insist OIL
/ the abolition of the jury in all cases
| for the jury system itself is just a
| much a reflection upon the bench a
! is this demand for trial by jury il
1 these particular cases. But, as mat
! ter of fact, the jury is the bulwark @