The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-08-27
Interview Of the workingmen's Com
mittec with tho President.

so'clock this afternoon the commit
tee appointed 10y the National Labor
League, lately in session in Baltimore, had
an interview with the President.
Mr.. John Hinchclifie, of Illinois, adj
dressed the President on behalf of the
committee, saying that it was not the pur-
pose of the workiugmen to form new
party, as had been alleged. They wished
TO be considered as ignoring all party ques-
tions. Mr.. Hinchclife proceeded to ex-
plain the objects the Convention had in
view in their labors; the eight.hour rule
being the principal one, and in their efforts
they desired to have, as far as might be,
the COOPERATION of the Chief Magistrate OF
the nation. In regard to the reduction OF
the hours bf labor, the President had q
precedcnt in the action of President Van
buren,, when visited for a similar purpose
the object then being to reduce the lega!
hours of a days work to ten. That had
been accomplished, and it was now believed
that by improvements in machinery and
otherwise it was now practicable to reduce
the laboriDg day to eight hours, and give
the working,nan an opportunity for physl-
cal and mental culture, enabling him tc
become better citizen.
They also desired to call the attention
of the President to the monopoly of the
public lands by capitalists; they wished
protection from foreign paupcr labor and
from the present system Of convict labor
The speaker dwelt with considerable force
upon each of these points.
The President replied, expressing his
qualification at the visit. In regard to the
propositions presented to him, he would
refer to his past acts. In reference to the
system of convict labor complained of, he
would say that he had opposed it years
ago. The homestead policy he had advo-
Gated as far back as 1876, and finally, in
1851. the homestead bill passed the House,
but was lost in the Senate. subsequently
he was transferred to the Senate, and lie
called it up there, when it was passed, but
vetoed by President Buchanan. He was
opposed TO the whole policy 10y which
CAPITALISTS can monopolzc the public
lands. He was in favor of the principle
that the workingman should have suitable
time to labor and 10 rest: and although he
had been democrat in the widest sense,
he was in favor of an arStocracy OF labor.
As to the number of hours which should
constitute a days labor, that was matter
of dctail and experience, which they could
consider and settle as they went along
but he would say that he was in favor of
the shortest number practicable.
In conclusion, he assured them of his
sympathy and his influence, and expressed
the wish that in their efforts to better the
condition of the workingmcn they would
be successful, and that the influence of the
Congress they had just held would he felt
for good throughout the country.
The President spoke at some length, and
the qualification of his hearers was cx-
pressed 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 a very pleasant interview cnsued; the
delegation retiring afterwards much graft
fled by the visit.