Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-08-25
INTERVIEW OF THE WORKINGNHN
COMMITTEE WITH THE PRESIpENT.

At O'Clock this afternoon the committee
appointed by the National Labor League.
lately in session in Baltimore, had an inter.
view with lhe President
Mr. John Hinchclife, of Ill. addressed the
President on behalf of the committee, saving
that IL was not the purpose Of the workngmen
10 form new party, as had been alleged They
wished to be considered as ignoring all party
questions. Mr.. Hinchcliffe proceeded to ex-
plain the objects the convention had in view
in their laborsi the eght-hour rule being the
principal one, and in their efforts they desired
10 nave, as FAR as might be, the co-opera-
ton OF the Chief Magistrate of the
Nation. In regard to the reduction Of the
hours Of labor the President had a precedent
IN the seton OF President Van Buren,, when
visited for q similar purpose, the object then
being 10 reduce the legal hours of a DAVIS WORK
TO ten. That had been accom- plished. ana il
WAS now believed that by improvements in
machinery abs otherwise IL was now practi
cable to reduce the laboring day 10 eight hours
and give the wOrkIngman an opportunity for
physical and mental culture, enabling him to
become a better citizen.
They also desired to call the atten tion of tho
President 10 the monopoly of the IN bile lands
by capitalists; they wished projection from
foreign pauper labor and from the present sys
tenn OF convict labor The speaker dwelt with
considerable force upon each Of these points
The President replied, expressing his graft
feation at the visit In regard to the proposj-
Ions presented TO him he would refer 10 his
past acts. In reference 10 the system of con-
Wet labor complained OF, he would saw tb,t
he had opposed IL years ago. The hsmpste,d
policy be had advocated as far back As Isle
and finally in 1851 the homestead bill psssed
the House, but was lost in the Senate Sinh
sequently he was transferred to the senate
and he called II up there. when 1t was passed
but vetoed by President Buchanan He WAS on,
posed to the whole policy by which capitalists
can monopolize the public lands He was in
favor OF The principle that the workingman
should have suitable time 10 labor and 70 resi-.
and although he had been q democrat IN tho
widest sense, be was in favor of an aristoc,scx
OF labor. AS TO the number of hours which
should constitute DAVIS labor that was a
matter OF detail and experience which thew
could consider and settle As they went along.
hut be would say that he was in favor OF the
shortest number practicable.
In conclusion. he assured them of his svm
pathies. and his influence, and expressed the
wish that in their efforts to better the condition
OF the workingmen they would be successful,
ana that the influence Of the congress thew had
lust held would be felt for good throughout
the country.
The President spoke at some length. ana the
qualification OF his hearers was expressed by
various warm expressions of applause
Upon the conclusion of his remarks the
spokesman OF the workingmen introduced the
members individually to the President. and q
very pleasant interview ensued: the deIega-
ton retiring afterwards much gratified by the
visit N~~