The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-19
The Eight Hour Movement.


public meeting was held last evening at 400 Grand
street, under the auspices OF the Manhattan Island
Joners' Union Association, for the purpose OF advo
eating the eight hour labor system There large
number Of delegates from the various trades societies
OF the city present Addresses delivered by Mr.
Mitten, of the House Carpenters Union; Mr.. Campbell
of the Boiler Makers Union and by the President Of
the New York State workingmen's Union
Mr. MfrTES, of the House Carpenters Union said that
the question of the greatest importance each
and every working man. bearing upon their most
vital interests. There is question in the working
mans range which interests him so much as
this one, and he thought that one evening a
week should be checrfuy devoted to its con-
sderation. IL their duty to unite together in
body; If not they would not DO able TO accomplish
the object in view He said the present hours OF labor
do not give the workingman chance to enjoy any Of
the numerous privileges which have been provided for
him-the Park, the Cooper Institute, or the public
libraries; he had no time to spend with his wife and
family, to attend TO the welfare OF his children
This movement what the workingmen should aim at
in order TO enjoy the privileges which accorded
the capitalists He urged upon every one present to
join their respective unions for the contest will be
most severe one; IL will be contest between the CAPT
taists and the laborng classes, and he confident
that II they (the aboriDg classcs) were united they
would prove victorious II the Association Is successful
in reducing the days labor to eight hours day. there
will be machinery brought forth that will than
compensate the labor reduced. Individually. he said
we are p0weress; but II unite In solid phalanx
they must give In. Combined there is no power nor
wrong that we cannot successfully cope against.
Mr. CAMPBELL, OF the Boiler Makers Jnon said this
is question which interests the wOrkngman and no
one else. There were four million one hundred thou.
sand ENTHUSIASTICALLY majority OF the legal
voters OF the country and who able AT all times
control any measure they advocated. He said that the
Office, apd who before they were installed therein
promised to give them their support, that they
In Office did not take any interest in the welfare Of
SO practical thing a. the workingman II had been
said by that the working classes could not produce
clever men, but he would point TO the Chief Magistrate
of the land. who had risen from the ranks as well as
many others too numerous TO mention. He urged the
union Of all workingmen, and they wQ4d npaly accQn
plsh the great object they have In view. 5@'
Mr. TAYLOR of the Carpenters Union, strongly advo-
Gated the eight hour system, and said that he believed
that eventually, with the introduction OF improved
chinery, the workingman's labor would be reduced
Mr. STEVENS, President of the New York State Work.
ingmen's Un0n said that the issue had that
the Association throw their claims boldly against
parent to ALL and he glad good attend.
6nce present for the purpose Of advocating the eight
hour labor system He strongly advocated that the
societies should hold meetings this subject and
that mass meetings should be held, and pamphlets dis
msS y snd forty
in the State Of New York, who are united in regard
this question He stated that he had received letter
which that gentleman states that he Is Ia favor Of the
eight hour movement He also stated that he had
interview With Governor Fenton, who expressed himself
IN favor OF the eight hour system. In every State
this movement was progressing from Maine TO Iouisi
ana and from Mississippi TO New York, and In fact Ia
every city and State Of the Union Every newspaper
advocating IT, and the nation had got the eight hour
system on the BRAIN, and no ventured 10 say that the
great meeting 70 DO held in the Cooper InsdS 6n
December O. would be the greatest monster meeting ever
held In the city Of New York Until all the trade So
cetiee united nothing can be accomplished; but II
they would oil cooperate their object would be obtained
He urged them m up the ranks OF their associations
and 70 send delegates 70 the Workngmcns Union, aud
to urge this matter among their shopmates The great
question s money, and TO attain the object or the meet
Ing considerable funds would be necessary before its
accomplishment II Ia only six months since this
movement was advanced, and he was happy 70 the
progress Il had attained and he hoped TO the
mcnt fully established before the completion OF year
The meeting then adjourned.