Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-02-07

q special message 10 ConSless' e'AAN
treats of the state of the country. The
reading of the message required ABOUT
two hours, and 1t was listened to with
the greatest attention throughout. The
Republicans generally were pretty
thoroughly disgusted; but the Demo-
Gratis of both the senate and house ap-
plauded it frequently. Senator DAVIS
of Arkansas moved the printing Of TO-
900 copies and the resolution OF course
had to carry. a similar resolution was
uassed in the house at the instance OF
the Democrats. Since the reading OF
the message the Democrats have made
numerous speeches lauding 1t as the
best of Democratic doctrine. John
Sharp Williams, the Democratic leader
made a speech last Tuesday in which
he said that the message contains
many good things; but its general ten
or Is sensational, Federalistic and
dangerous to the American republic
Mr.. w. J. Bryan endorses the message
almost in its entirely. Following is the
Associated Press synopsis.
The Message.
TO the Senate and House Of Represen-
tatives:
The recent decision of the supreme
court in regard to the employers IL
ability act, the experience of the inter-
state commerce commission and OF the
department of justice in enforcing the
interstate commerce and antitrust
laws, and the gravely significant at
titude toward the law and its admins
tration recently adopted by certain
heads of great corporations, render II
desirable that there should be addition
al legislation as regards certain OF
the relations between labor and capital
and between the great corporations and
the public.
The supreme court has decided the
employers liability law to be unconsu-
tutional because its terms apply to en-
ployes engaged wholly in intrastate
commerce as we'll as TO employees en-
gagged in interstate commerce. BY
substantial majority the court holds
that the congress has power to deal
with the question in so far as inter-
state commerce is concerned.
AS regards the employers liability
law, 1 advocate it's immediate re-en-
actment, limiting it's scope so that it
shall apply only to the class OF cases
as to which the court says it can con-
stitutionally apply, but Strengthening
it's provisions within this scope. Inter-
state employment being thus covered
by an adequate national law, the field
Of interstate employment will be left to
the action of the several states. With
this clear definition of responsibility
the states will undoubtedly give to the
performance of their duty within their
field the consideration the Importance
OF the subject demands.
also very urgently advise that
comprehensive act be passed providing
for compensation by the government to
all employees injured in the government
service. Under the present law an in
iured workman in the employment OF
the government has no remedy, and
the entire burden of the accident falls
on the helpless man, his wife and his
Young children. This is an outrage. 1t
is a matter Of humiliation to the ma
ton that there should not be on our
statute books provision to meet and
partially to atone for cruel misfortune
when 1t comes upon a man through no
I'LL 60 ,llN
ing the public. In no other prominent
industrial country in the world could
such gross injustice occur; for almost
all civilized nations have enacted legis-
lation embodying the complete recog-
milton of the principle which places
the entire trade risk for industrial ac-
cidentS (excluding, Of course, accidents
due to willful misconduct by the en-
plOye) on the industry as represented
by the employer, which in this case is
the government. In all these countries
the principle applies to the government
just as much as TO the private employ
er. Under no circumstances should the
injured employe or his surviving de-
pendentS be required to bring suit
against the government, nor should
there be the requirement that in order
To insure recovery negligence in some
form on the part Of the government
should be shown. Our proposition Is
not to confer a right Of action unnn the
government employe. but 10 secure him
suitable provision against injuries re-
ccived in the course of his employment.
The burden of the trade risk should be
placed upon the government. Exactly
as the wOrkingman is entitled To his
wages, so he should be entitled TO in
demnity for the injuries sustained in
he natural course of his labor. The
rates of compensation and the regua-
tiOnS for its payment should be Specl-
fled in the law. and the machinery for
determining the amount tu be paid
should in each case be provided in such
manner that the emplOye is properly
represented without expense to him.
Where the nation has the
power it should enact laws To this ef-
feet. Where the states alone have the
There is a special bill To which | call
your attention. Secretary Taft has ur-
gently recommended the immediate
passage of a law providing for COM
pensation to employees of the govern
ment injured in the work Of the 18TH
mian canal. and that 100000 be ap-
propriated for this purpose each year.
| earnestly hope this will be done: and
that special bill be passed covering
the case of Yardmaster Banton, who
was injured nearly two years ago while
doing his duty. He is now helpless TO
support his wife and his three little
boys.
again call your attention to the
need of some action in connection with
the abuse of injunction in labor cases.
As regards the rights and wrongs Of
labor and capital, from blacklisting to