The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-01-09
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
Executive Chamber,
Columbia.

Columbia
November 10, 1915.
Jas. P. Gossett, Esq, President Bro
gon Mills, Anderson, S. c.
Dear Sir:
I have thought carefully over my
conversation with you yesterday.
There are certain matters which de-
sire to bring clearly to your atten-
ton as l do not wish to permit the
situation to remain as it now is with
out clear expression from me.
You state that you decline the SET
tlement OF the differences with your
employees through the medium OF
arbitration. Your position is that you
are not willing to arbitrate your
rights. You overlook the fact that
your company enjoys privileges, rath-
er than rights, conferred by the State
of South Carolina, and that If those
privileges are not exercised in the in
terest of the people Of the State, the
legislature will surely take some ac-
tion.
1t is a favorite theme Of employing
classes to dwell upon the enforcement
Of laws as if property rights were the
only rights that exist; it is equally
the habit Of the working classes -
dwell upon the personal rights as if
the law intended that no other rights
should be in force. 1t is the function
of the law and courts and the body Of
citizens in general to bring these two
extremes upon middle ground
The courts do not tolerate any ex
tremes in either of these respects and
the body of the citizens have kept the
balance we'll. ! do not believe that
board Of arbitration properly organ
lied will decide away either the rights
of property or the rights Of persons.
Arbitration has been employed sue
cessfully and satisfactorily in the
largest labor disputes that have DC
Cured in this country. It. is my cp,n-
ion that it could have been profitaby
employed in many others.
l repeat that it is my belief that the
State of South Carolina will not long
tolerate unsettled differences such as
exist at your mill. The decision by
starvation on the part of either side
settles nothing; it will simply DEM
onstrate which can survive the long
est.
The constitution says that the Gov
ernor shall take care that the laws
be faithfully executed in mercy and
as governor l esteem it my duty to
endeavor to reconcile differences the
tendency of which is towards dis
turbance of the peace, since in yio-
lation of the peace the laws requires
me to act.
l therefore solemnly call upon You
to submit the issue between your en-
ployees and your company to the me-
dunn of arbitration | believe that
a fair and equitable settlement VIII
be arrived at, and that neither side
will be prejudiced; should either side
be compelled in the arbitration to
give up certain of its contentious I
feel sure that those contentious would
be against the best interset Of the
State and its people.
recognize, and you must recog-
nize that a critical time has been
reached in the cotton manufacturing
industry of South Carolina Narrow
ness, illiberality and prejudice will
accentuate the differences; broad
mindedness a spirit of concession and
consideration for the best interests
Of the State of South Carolina will
bring all of these difficulties to hap
py solution. If you and your opera
tive 20 not settle them the State