The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-08-18
EIGHT HOURS, STRIKES on
LEGISI4ATHONe


LEGISLATION:
Before another issue OF the ADVOCATE
shall have been Distributed to its readers
the most important Congress ever convened
on American soil, at least, SO far as the a.
tsrests Of the industrial classes are concern
Cd, shall have determined the method by
which the Eight Hour system shall bs OBJ
tanned. Whatever that decision may be, we
shall advocate its universal adoption; and
trust the Issue may be accepted in good faith
by every friend Of the movement. As we
have som swhat positive convictions, how
ever, on this point, and as that decision has
not yet heen arrived at, we deem it alike q
privilege and duty to express these views
In detail. which We have reason TO believe
70 endorsed by large majority Of our
western mechanics.
There are virtually two methods, which
peeseat themselves as feasible either to its
sisods or opponents, by which it may be
-Atsine1, viz: by strikes, or legislation
As there are several, high alike in
position and influence, who favor the
former raeans, We deem the following sug-
gesttons worthy of careful consideration.
During the past twelve months we have
had q score Of these so-called Strikes" ex-
tending throughout the length and breadth
of the countryside ostensible objects OF
which were to inaugurate the Eight Hour
system. Commencing with the Painters in
New York, trave 3 from Chicago to New
Orleans, and b mating tn the CauIkers
Of Boston, the result may be summed up in
two words-uttfrm defeat. Nor are the
causes which led to these failures hard 10
find. The public sentiment essential to
success, Is so opposed to, and prejudiced
against every movement pertaining 70 the
character of 'strike," that no support,
moral or material, has been derived from that
source, but on the contrary m active, COM
combined resistance developed. In order,
then, to be successful, the workingnen must
keep pace with the spirit Of the age, and
depend on some higher element than mere
brute force to effect this grand reform
Doubtless, the origin, the progress, and the
AIMS 9: these difficulties have been falsified
BY venai press, yet adopting the standard
Of genius--saccess-a test, they have in
varisbly been productive of injury and de-
moralization to those whose position they
have undertaken to benefit.
Lack Of 4 thorough, systemat'e organiza-
ton has also been fruitful source of failure.
A "strike" means neither more nor less than
capital fighting capital, and as soon as the
fuDds necessary to sustain those out Of en-
ploymen' become exhausted, but two alter
natives present themselves starvation or
submission. True, some may seek other
avocations, but the probabilities are that the
supply RAY be larger than the demand, even
Of skilled workmen who are pro6cients in
the calling thus chosen, so that but little
dependence can be placed on such a source
Of revenae under any circumstances Now,
These successive defeats--in this warfare as
in othsrs--haVe tendency to embolden The
victor and dishearten the vanquished to
make capital more defiant and sxacting, and
labor more cringing and debssed.
Another and very important objection is,
that even we're thorough organization eff.
fected on this basis 1t is questionable whether
IN amount sufficient to achieve success
could be colleeted, rs there is reason to be-
Iieve a number of trades, taking q Short
sighted view If the subject and looking only
TO immediate results, would decline contrib
uting to the establishment be National
Fund. As Ia an effort of this character we
should find the entire monied interest Of the
country arrsyed against it, detection in our
own ranks could only lead to disastrous re
suits. We know tits customary to protest
against the distrust exhibited by the work
ing classes against all labor reforms, and
their unwillingness TO contribute Of their
means to gain an end, but when we consider
that many Of them just receive enough to
keep body and soul together that years of
'srrels 81 but . scanty plttanee and that
'istAnee 700 often wrung from their sweat
I'D bloos we think more charitable view
vil6stAee9 Of that reluctance. Other diff |
neuisses Of moreor less Importance iioubtlass
suggest themselves To- our readers, but We
Ihlnk those already cited sufficient for our
We now come TO the confederation of the
gHc0nd and most imnorfsnE r..tha5 k~-h..hI