The Indianapolis daily herald. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1865-1868, 1865-11-28
The MOrkinemcn.

We have received the following communica-
ton from one Of the best mechanics in the
city. and one who, n few years ago. passed
from the ranks Of the employed TO that Of
the employers.
His suggestions are deserving Of all con,id-
Grafton. But the idea that the evils complained
Of by the workingmcn can be rcmcdied by
talking about an eight hour system i futile
They have got To- strike deeper than that and
in another direction; they have got to root out
partial corrupt laws that foster capital at the
expense of labor; they have got to strike at a
iluctuaiing currency In the control Of the Adj
mini.tration aud the moncyed arstocracy.
Workingman, walk with me a minute down
20 one Of the bastiles. Look al that citizen or
soldier, IN that small. dark dungeon. See that
chain. with heavy balls on IL, clasped around
his ankle, and passing thence 10 one Of his
wrists. around which il coils. That man has
said something that some Republican official
didn't like. DO YOU see him fret, and chafe.
and struggle to free himself from that chainy
DO YOU turn away with a sigh that his strug-
giles are futilel DO YOU say there must be
effort directed to something else than that
chainf In that picture, behold the utter use
lcssnes- Of your eight hour project. You have
got 10 strike N higher point and higher
power.
Nix. EDIroR:-I noticed i'm your issue Of the
2,d. report of the Workingmen's Convention
held in this ctv 10 consider the eight hour
system. and To recommend il 10 the notice of
our legislature. | should like To make few
suggestions TO them: or, in other words, give
some very plain reasons why | think that the
proposed system would be alike disadvanta-
II
place. the employer can not afford o. invest
his capital in grounds. buildings, and ma
chinery, TO stand idle. or only he used eight
hours in twcntv-four; but he would sooner
invest in something that he could make useful
and profitable without the assistance Of hired
help; hence. the workingmcn would find the
demand for labor lcSsened. and Of course. wages
would come down. Then, again. there
would he constant jar between day laborers
a piece wOrkmen. Those working by the
piece would want TO put in all the time they
could. aud make more wages by 80 doing. while
the day workman would only feel willing 10
work the eight hours
Again. IL would put all manufacturers that
Use steam power To great deal Of unnecessary
expense 10 put up large boiler and cool il OH
every eight hours. His rents. taxes and in
~urance would Doe just a much To do eight
hours business n they would be for ten, and
he would have 10 curtail his expenses in some
way and the most natural would be to reduce
wages. The only correct way for the working
men 10 better their condition. that ] can see.
i 10 get piece or job work, and then every
man gets a. he earns Ii he works hard and
produces much he will receive large pay. or il
he Squandtrs his time. he will not have the
satisfaction Of sduandering his employers
money on saturday night. 10 will also inn
prove our mechanics. for a. soon as a man has
a task or job 90 perform that produces him pay
according 10 the amount he does, he will set
his head % work 10 eontrive or invent some
way 10 save labor and produce the required
article rapidly. In this very way some Of our
most practical and best inventions have been
obtained. EMPLOYER