Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-10-17
Legislation by Force.
INVESTIGATION SHOULD PRECEDE AC-
TON SAYS HUGHES.

Chas. E. Hughes opinion of the Demo
cratic action in the railway crisis is well
set forth in his speech at Springfield,
Illinois:
"Manifestly we have here an extreme
ly intricate question of rates and OUTLAWS.
What was the manifest duty Of the Ex'
ecutive? Plainly to insist that investigs-
ton should precede action, and that
nothing should be yielded to force. Not
only did the administration fail TO take
proper action on its own initiative, but
the business men Of the country appeal
ed in vain to the administration for in
vestigation. Their request won no IA
vorable action.
stand for the principle of arbitra-
ton in industrial disputes. Labor, least
of all, can afford TO have that principle
surrendered. II is a civilized method,
as opposed to the injurious contests of
force, which impOyerish labor and i'm
peril the social order. The essence OF
the matter Is fair and reasonable hear
ing of all parties concerned and a just
determination according 10 the facts.
To say that fair and prompt arbitration
could not have been had in this case ia
TO indict both the administration and
the American people.
When force is proposed and srbtra.
ton Is refused there is but one stand to
take, and that is to appeal to the judg-
ment of the country TO vindicate the
processes of reason. Had the Executive,
when arbitration was declined, at once
directed the entire force of public opin-
ion, as he easily could, to the demand
for the recognition of the principles OF
arbitration, have no doubt he would
have won, and the nation would have
been his debtor.
Had the Executive gone at once to
Congress for immediate authority TO Sc
cure prompt and thorough investiga'
ton of the stated grievances 10 advance
of action, and had he thus made instant
provision for an inquiry so entirely COM
petent as TO command the respect OF the
country, am satisfied there could have
been no strike. We are still ruled by
public opinion, and no administration
need fear results II it stands firmly for
essential principle.
Contrast the action of this administra,
ton with what Grover Cleveland in 1885
said with respect to labor legislation
AN legislation on the subject should be
calmly and deliberately undertaken, with
no purpose of satisfying unreasonable
demands or gaining partisan advantage.
Ii Is idle to excuse the action taken by
the Adsmson bill by request for addi-
tional legislation with respect to the fu-
ture. That legislation was not obtained.
We are dealing with what was demanded
and actually enacted.
We have an uDjustifiable attempt to
use public sentiment with respect to
another eight-hour workdsy in order to
justify bill which does not provide
another eigbt-hour workday, but relates
solely to an increase in wages. We have
seen the choice of what seemed TO be the
easier way, which escaped the necessity
of a determined stand for principles.
We have seen what has appeared to be
the consideration of immediate political
expediency at the expense Of public wei.
fare.
We can stand mistakes in policies ii
We are sound in method, but we canno,
yield reason to the rule of force. That
is the path of sure disaster. should
not take the first step in that path"