Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 September 1902 — LABOR INSURANCE [ARTICLE]

LABOR INSURANCE

Senator Charles W. Fairbanks was permanent chairman of the committee on resolutions of the last Republican national convention at Philadelphia June 19-21, 1900, which reported the following plank in the national platform: “In the further Interest of American workmen we favor a more effective restriction of the immigration of cheap labor from foreign lands, the extension of opportunities of education for working children, the raising of the age limit for child labor, the protection of free labor as against contract convict labor, and an effective system of labor insurance.” There is a growing sentiment not only among workingmen, but among the true friends of labor in other walks of life, that some system of labor insurance should be devised for the protection of employes who have passed the age where they can be useful, and who deserve some protection against poverty in their old age. Commenting upon the outlook for labor insurance, Gunton’s Magazine for April, 1902, says: “It should not be left to the philan> thropic impulses of individual employers or corporations, but should be made a part of the national policy. It is encouraging to note that some progress has already been made in this direction. In 1900 the national plab form of the Republican party favored definitely labor insurance.” The editor of Gunton’s then quotes from the plank of the national platform, which was reported by Senator Charles W. Fairbanks of Indiana, as chairman of the committee on resolutions in favor of “An effective system of labor Insurance.” “This declaration,” says Gunton’s, “committed the Republican party to the principle of labor insurance.” It is a source of pride to the friends of labor in Indiana that the senior senator from this state should have been officially identified with the first declaration in any political platform in favor of labor insurance. Senator Fairbanks is much interested in this matter, and has given considerable study to the subject.

Don’t be a pull-back or a stay-at-home. The maintenance of prosperity Is as important to the voter of 1902 as the establishment of prosperity was to the