Employer's Liability Legislation in Wisconsin, 1874-1893.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Berthrong, Donald J.
- Source
- Southwestern Social Science Quarterly. Jun1953, Vol. 34 Issue 1, p57-71. 15p.
- Subject
- *LABOR laws
*WORK-related injuries
*LEGISLATIVE bills
*INTERSTATE commerce
*RAILROADS
*LEGISLATION
- Language
- ISSN
- 0276-1742
The article focuses of the employer's liability legislation in Wisconsin. From the 1870's to the beginning of the Progressive period in Wisconsin history there was an almost constant struggle between the railroads and their employees over the question of employer's liability. The issue was of tremendous importance because it struck deep into the roots of the economic thought of the nation. In the absence of statutory law, the common law controlled the claims of an employee against his employer for industrial accidents. Employer's liability legislation and compulsory laws requiring the installation of automatic couplers and brakes were suggested in the Wisconsin Legislature of 1885. Although the bills attracted considerable attention they were still defeated by the influence and persuasion of the railroad attorneys. In addition, an attempt was made to pass a bill which would give legislative approval to the: "vice-principal" rule for all occupations in Wisconsin. From 1887 the movement for employer's liability legislation continued with even greater intensity and received the support of the State Rail- road Commissioner and the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.