Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1866-03-30
LOCAL AFFAIR ..
The Erour.Houn MONUMENTAL meeti

The EIGHr-HoUR MovEMRSr.-A meeting
OF the workingmen Of the city, for the purpose Of
discussing the eight-hour cause, was held at Odd
Fellows Hall, Navy Yard, last evening:
liam 4. McLain, president Of the workingmen 8
Convention, who said macy distinguished per-
sons in Congress had been Invited to address the
meeting. Some were present, and others had
responded by letter. Mr.. Mclean regretted to
see such small crowd In attendance. Some had
gone into this movement thinking the Gig hour
law would be passed In short time. They had
now given up the cause, and thought the object
would not be accomplished, but they would ind
themselves mistaken.
The drst speaker Introduced was Mr.. H. Clay
Preuss, who said Man was not Intended by his
Creator as mere labor machine. The working
men Of all nations formed the principal part OF
the inhabitants. [At this time the Government
book binders, numbering about one hundred and
ftty, with 4 band OF music and transparencies,
entered the hall aud were received with APP
plause.l Mr. Preuss resumed The laborer should
not be worked down as mere mechanical
drudge. Justice to the workingmRn was power
and prosperity to State. Society never loses
but always gains by recognizing the dignity Of
the lsbOrer aud the rights Of the workingmRn.
Give the workingmRn time to cultivate his think
ing faculties, and he will put mere INTEL genco
In his work, and thus the employer will be the
gamer. The world had not done justice to the
wOrkingman. The great workers OF the world
had been chained down by their necessities, to i
ing and working to gain u miserable living.
In this western world we had built up tho
greatest Government that ever existed. We had
produced tue greatest amount Of brains, good
muscle. and pluck Of any nation In the world.
Cultivate man and give him the necessary facili
ties for his mental and moral existence, and he
will grow up to the angels, and not down to the
brute.
The next speaker was the Hon. George W.
Julian, OF Indiana. He said he was ready to be
Identified with the workingmen and their cause
Until he was q years Of age he was q laborer,
md lha Fan Ia nf al N N ".
Hilary when he turned politician. Early In life
the speaker became an anti slavery man. More
than 20 years ago he became an advocate OF the
Homestead bill aud no one was more favorable
to that bill than President Johnson. [Great ap-
plause. The speaker introduced a bill for the
eight hour cause, and he had that bill referred
to the Judiciary Committee, because he had
sounded that committee, aud the chairman OF
that committee had told the speaker since that
his bill would soon be reported, and he the
speBker) had no doubt It would pass. The
chances Of having tho eight-hour law enacted at
this session Of Congress were excellent.
Major Gen. Andrews, Of Minnesota, was intro
ducsd, and said he heartily approved the purpose
Of this organization. He was In favor Of meas .
ures Of reform Of this character, which tended to
improve and cultivate the working class Of men.
He had NO doubt the people and the press
throughout the country were In iavor OF their
cause. He was in favor OF the eight sys.
labor. II gave the lAboTinR man time for im =
proyement and culture, which was necessary.
Mr.. Richard Bmmons having been called upon,
said he had been 10 New York at the late con
ventiOn Of presidents Of conventions which con-