Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-12-07
[FIon the New York Tribupel
THE EIGHT-HOUR DISCUSSION.

| DA5SDDbiONs
We non-concur in the apparent belief of
most Eight-Hou men that they can obtain
as high wages for eight hours as for ten
hours work per day, unless the production
of the Eight Hours shall equal that of the
Ten Hours, which does not seem to be ex-
pected. Nor can we see how the Journey
man shoemaker, tailor, carpenter mason or
other mechanic, can secure an increase of
wages of twenty per cent without having to
pay like increase in the cost of the pro-
ducts he must buy. In other words, if the
cordwainer is paid 81 moro than formerly
for making a pair of fine boots, we think
boots will be at least dollar per pair dearer
than they were, and that mechanics, with
other consumers, must pay it, Wages, in
our conception, are not arbitrary or fortui-
tous, but governed by lava law whose
intent is justice to ALL
On this main point, then, we wish to be
clearly understood by the Eight Hour men.
We believe the reduction of the hours of
ordinary labor to eight per day not imprac-
ticable; we believe it would have many good
results; we think laborers do well to agitate
and consider the matter; but we do not be-
lieye that they can secure so large n share Of
material and intellectual aliment by work
ing eight hours per day as by working ten
If the laws of the universe are such as we
suppose them, this may not be. Either they
will earn less money in eight hours than
they did in ten, or their earnings will either
be less or buy less-because OF generally
enhanced prices-than they formerly did
There may be seeming and transient excep-
tions to this rule, but they cannot shake its
general validity.
Still, we would have the whole subject
discussed; for we deem il desirable that the
Laboring Glass, with all other classes, should
give heed to social questions, with an eye to
Improvement and reform. Good must result
from this; though perhaps quite other than
that contemplated
We welcome any evidence that the Labor
ing Glass, so called, is becoming dissatisfied
with its position. Contentment is good
thing in its place; but discomfort is II useful
agency in human affairs. If all men had
ever been contented, America would have
remained undiscovered and the Steam En-
gine uninvented. Discomfort is the harbin-
ger of Reform.
The letters. from dissatisfied or change
seeking journeymen that reach us seem to
accept the status of hirelings as natural,
general, abiding We donot share this con-
viction 1t is well, we think, to be a jour
neyman-a useful and wholesome expert
ence-but no man should sit down contented
to be hireling through life. On the CON
trary the young man who enters upon this
condition should work and save with intent
to make ii a step toward better. He should
perfect his skill and husband his means,
with intent to take advantage of an early
opportunity to do and manage for himself
Just here, the prevalent attitude and line
of argument of journeymen dissatisiy us.
We hear from them much vague talk OF the
wrongs of Labor, the exactions of Capital
hut rarely a suggestion that Labor migh'
and should employ itself. Yet why should
it not? Why should not the actua
maker of shoes, or hats, or coats, or any
thing else in general demand, and which
requires In its manufacture no expensive
machinery or heavy outlay, be his owr
''boss, y selling his wares directly to whom
soever may want them for use? If capital
lists are one.half so rapacious, so oppressive
as they are represented, why not contrive t.
do without them, obtaining by the aggrega
ton of small sums the moderate capital re
quired to do small, safe, snug business 10
cash? A. B. makes boots, which G. D. buy
and wears; why should E. f. "a capitalist
be called in to furnish the MATERIAL pay A
B. for his work, and charge G. D. third o
fourth more for the boots than they hav
actually cost? Can any one tellY And
the producer and consumer can't get o
without invoking the aid of third party
why should not they pay him? Clearly, the
will and must.
One more point:-city life has rare attra
tions for young bachelors There is muc
to see and to learn in great city-chsap an
various amusements, elsewhere inaccessibl
and rare opportunities to ''see life" Tho
sands of young men would gladly come
great city and live there year or tw
even with prospect of earning Cor saNint
less than in their rural homes. We do II
here discuss their taste; we rest In the ia'
If, therefore, our journeymen always rema
iourneymen, glut of skilled labor in Il
cities is inevitable, and excess in supply n
turally tends to reduction in price
counteract this tendency, there shou
be n constant outflow of older mechani
from cities-a constant upward movement
iourneymen into more responsible or mo
independent positions. Where ten, tho
sand men are huddled together, with on
work enough for five to eight thousand, !
employer may generally obtain labor at !
own price The remedy for this is not
strike to stand idle but the colonizing5
drawing off the surplus into other localiu
or other pursuits.
These suggestions are profered, not
criticisms on the views of our correspt
dents, but as our contribution toward b
ter understanding of the general subie
We stand ready to be enlightened, and
proclaim new truth so far as we apprehend