Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-11-15
..The Erwhs Honr Movement"

aThe Eight Honr Movement"
The State Journal, or the Columbus Morn
ing Journal, as It is now called, on Tuesday
morning devoted a column editorial TO ''the
eight hour movement Evidently, the
Journal does not favor the movement. IL
appears to think IL the time of labor per
day were reduced to eight hours, and the
present wages paid, the capitalist could not
continue his business. Cannot the capital
ist add the additional cost of production to
the article produced? We have seen it
suggested by leading journal that pro-
fesses great solicitude for the welfare ofthe
down-trodden and oppressed in this coun-
try, that TO pay as much for eight hours Ia
Dor as capitalists are now compelled to pay
for ten hours labor, would so enhance the
cost of the articles laborers are compelled
to use themselves, that they would'in reali-
tynot be In the least pecuniarily benefited,
five understand this "eight hour move
ment." 1t does not specially contemplate
pecuniary gain. What is particularly
sought by 1t, is that laboring men shall
have more time for recreation and mental
Improvement. This object is most praise
worthy, and the effort of laboring men to
secure to themselves the necessary time Tor
recreation and mental Improvement de-
serves earnest commentator. l
The Columbus Morning Journal expresses
itself to the effect, that IF 1t were not for
the fact that the present Chief Magistrate
of this great Nation reached his position,
starting as iourneyman tailor,in country
least favorable to such advancement, there
would be much force' in the plea OF work
ingmen, that they want the eight hour sys-
TEN inaugurated,s 80 that they can turn their
slime and talents to greater account in the
productive industry, in the social relation,
and In the political system of the country
of which" they "are citizens; in word
that their ''aim is to make" themselves "bet-
ter friends, better citizens and better Chris
tians."
The man who raises his hands sbuJder-
ingiy at the ''eight hour movement" lest it
will enhance the cost of production, COM
mits himself to the opinion that the labor
ers compensation should be largely de-
creased and his hours of labor increased. If
it is true that to make legal days work
consist of eight hours will necessarily re-
suit in compelling the laborer to pay an
increased price for everything he uses To
an extent that will consume the pay that
he now receives for two hours labor, it
follows, as an inevitable consequence,
II this sort OF logic amounts to anything, If
you were to cut the price of labor down to
one tenth of the amount it now receives,
there would be corresponding reduction
in the price of that which the laborer has
TO buy for his own use, so that he could
make both ends meet as readily as he does
now. VIII any one have the hardihood to
advocate such a reduction of the compen-
sation paid the laborer? And because
President JOHNSON commenced life as a
tailor, and in early life was illiterate, is
this an argument why laboring men should
not seek the curtailment OF the hours they
are now called on to labor, with view
that their physical, moral and mental con-
dition may be improved? 1t is our impress
sion that Man was not placed on this globe
that he should be mere money-making
machine and drudge. Labor for susten-
ance it was destined he should; but equal
ly it was designed that he should i'm
prove that part of his nature that is Cod
like. President JOHNSON was not educated
in either a common school or in Col
lege. Hence, il the Columbus Morning
Journal by its citation of the fact that
he commenced life as tailor and
worked himself into the Presidency, de-
signed to show the needlessness OF laboring
men having more time than they now have
for recreation and mental Improvement
with as much propriety and force it NIGH
argue from that circumstance against com
mon schools and colleges and regular
courses of education; for If Mr.. JOHNSON
could work himself into the Presidency
under such adverse circumstances
out the aid of the eight hour system; with
out the aid of common schools or college
or a regular course Of education; what ne
cessity is there in other people or their son
and daughters enjoying greater privilege
in these respectsP Who is there that woul'
undertake here in Ohio to urge that tn
time and money bestowed upon education
Is all folly, because President JOHNSON di
not derive his education from a eommo
school or college or regularly establish
edsystem Of education?