The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-10-02
Labor md Workingmen.


Labor. md Vvorkingmcn.
In reply to a letter from Mr.. James
E. Atchinson, one of the workingmen
of Washington city, the Hon. Thos.
+. Bowie, of'Prince Georges County,
Md, has written letter favorable to
the interests of the mechanics and
eulogistic of labor, which he declares
to be the emaster cog wheel in the
worlds machinery" He regrets that
the subject Of labor has received SO
little attention hitherto, and in refer
ence to the eight-hour system says:
.'Tt appears to me to be two
edged sword, that cuts both ways.
So far as the Government is concern.
ed, / am free to say that 1 think they
should not make fish of one and flesh
OF another If eight hours labor is
sufficient in one department of the
Government, think eight hours
labor ought to be sufficient in every
other department of the Government.
I.know no reason why any distinction
ehould be made among the different
employees of the Government. But
it seems to me that the Government
could not afford to pay as much for
eight hours labor as they could for
ten hours work, and that, therefore,
the difference, or, in other words, the
reduction in price, would ultimately
fall on the laborer, who, for the most
part, could but lily afford to submit
to such sacrifice. This, however, is
a question which concerns the Go
vernment and its employees alone. 1t
hasnot, and cannot have, any appli-
cation whatever to the general labor
pursuits of life. In these pursuits, /
think perfect freedom of will and
action ought to be the only rule of
conduct
In conclusion, he adds:
''Whilst I am quite willing to as
sist in establishing uniform rule of
action in all contracts of labor which
the Government may be requested to
make, as they are peculiarly within
the jurisdiction and province of the
Federal authorities, L must, neverthe-
less, maintain that / can see no just
reason why q. similar rule of action
should not be applied TO the private
industry of the country
Speaking of the letter, the National
hatelligencea' adds:
cit bears the marks of clear, pro-
found just and cultivated mind.
Since the convening of the Labor
Congress, the favorable expression
for the most part Of the President for
the objects it had in view, and the re-
cent friendly demonstrations of me-
chanics and laborers in particular to-
wards the Chief Magistrate, the whole
subject looms up with all its natural
force and dignity. Glass interests
that are rolling in wealth by the i'm
position by law upon oil the labor of
the country of average protective
duties of near fifty cent, now de-
mand vast augmentation of this
grievous burden upon the shoulders
of the consumers. They are furnish
ing the money undoubtedly that is
driving the radical Juggernaut over
the hometown interests of agricul-
tural, mechanical and other forms of
labor of the country. No man hears
of enhanced prices, for the effort that
produces highly protected fabrics,
while it is fact that operatives are,
year by year, subjected to increased
rigors as to discipline in. restraint of
a manly personal liberty. Govern
ment is doing nothing, directly for
such, while for the class of employers
in mammoth manufacturing monopo-
lies, who ever cry give, give, there
is literally no end to the partial legis-
lation which is invariably called for,
session after session, and is too often
granted by Congress. In return for
such enriching gratuities, what can
be done to alleviate Or compensate
humble, qXer-borne and depressed
labor in all branches of industry?"
The NATIONAL EXPRESS COMPANY.
At q meeting of the stockholders of
the National Express and Transporta-