Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-08-29


The Ten Hour Law.
We see by an advertisement in the Boston pa
pers, that the working men Of this State will hold
a Convention, on the 18th inst, in Boston, in or
der to take measures for securing, by legislative
enactment, limitation Of the hours Of labor to
ten hours per diem. Such law was passed last
session by the House Of Representatives, but was
emasculaled in the Senate. and finally strangled
Such law, we trust, vii, be secured this winter,
in spite Of the enmily felt towards it by ''graye
and eminent personages.
We learn that meetings are about 10 be held in
all the manufacturing towns, &c. Throughout the
Stale, foi the purpose of making grand demon
stration in favor Of the law, and we are glad to
learn, also, that many Of the large employers have
expressed their hearty sympathy with the move
ment. On Saturday evening, large meeting of
the factory workers took place at North Oxford,
when spirited resolutions were passed, and the
greatest enthusiasm prevailed in favor ofihe Ten
Hour Law. A letter was read from Hon. A.
Dewitt, encouraging the working men to go
ahead, and informing them that his heart was in
their cause and his purse at their service, to ad.
vance it. These demonstrations show that the
working classes are in earnest in this movement,
and that they do not mean TO give up until victo-
ry crowns their efforts.
In this city the ten hour system is all but uni
versal, and we believe it works 10 the admiration
of both employers and employed. We have heard
one Of the greatest manufacturers, in this city de-
clare hal he would not return to the old system
on any account; that the ten hour system was
muchmore economical and pleasant; and that
there was really no diminution in the amount of
work performed. The hands were more prompt,
diligent, aud constant in their labors under the
new system; and large saving was made in fuel,
&C., in consequence of the engine not running SO
long as it used to do. To the employed, the
new system las been Of the greatest advantage,
socially and intellectually. The brawny artzans
who are the bone and muscle of our city, can get
home now in time TO see their folks, and become
acquainte1 with them. Formerly, life was a
continuarcund Of protracled labor; and home was
merely place to eat and sleep in. The working
AiSH Us Wy HppiONiotO hO hdpP1 lOidtiOHS
which exist between them and their employers,
through mutual good will and concession, and
they will assist others less fortunately situated in
securing the same hours of labor
In Great Britain, the len hour law has been Of
immense benefit to the working classes Under
the old unlimited system children and adults were
compelled TO work in the factories from Is TO l6
hours day, to the utter neglect of every INTEL
lectual and moral attribute Of their nature. The
reports Of the parliamentary committees, Institu-
ted 10 examine into the condition Of factory work.
ers in England, give melancholy picture of the
condition Of the human machines which were
hired to attend to the spinning jennies and looms
which were better cared for than they, Through
the efforts of Lord Shaltesbury and others, the
ten hour law was passed and Immediately schools
were instituted in connection with many of the
mills. The laboriDg population had time to at
tend them ard the happiest results began to be
realized The artizan became hopeful and am
bilious as he had time TO cultivate his intellect.
and reflect upon the future ofhis children. The lit,
tie neglected garden plots began TO be cultivated,
building and freehold societies were established,
and have now increased 10 great extent; until
there are thousands Of English workngmen who
own homes, who, previous to the ten hour law,
had no higher ambition than to spend such hours
as they could steal lfom sleep in the beershop.
Our workngmen have justice, humanity, rea-
son, and all the best interests Of free and en-
lighfened community in favor Of this movement.
Let them be true TO themselves and to one anolh.
er, and they must and they shall have the ten
hour law this winter.