Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1866-04-26
a Question for Po1lcical EcOno.
Il NAlAte.

The impending movement Of the working
men, which is about 70 be considered by our
sitisens. presents oss Of the mcst difficult
q vel! a important subjects Of tho day.
We are inolissd TO the opinion that labor
and wages are, to great extent, subject to
The fostering care Of legislation but not to
its abuses. for to the Democratic idea moth
Ing il more intolerable than class legislation
and favored nonopolies. According to the
Legitimate object Of government any qucs>
ton affecting the rights and interests ofthe
people maybe properly subjected to legis
lative action operating within the sphere Of
the powers granted by its fundamental com.
pact. We are not prepared to see, nor do
ws wish to DO understood - advocating any
arbitrary regulation Of trade or labor affect
ing, injuriously, the rights of individuals.
Nor would we deny the right Of associa-
ton among the laboring class for mutual
protection. Yet We consider hasty and ex.
trcms rheasures In this matter most unfcr-
tnnsts - generally resulting in injury 70
those it. intsnded 10 benefit We would
suggest that proper legislation might to
great extent control and abatc the evils
complained Of. Now, without designing TO
say anything trits ~ 10 the dignity and i'm
pestanos Of labor, It may DO remarked that
under no form Of government does the sub
jsce possess greater significance, or exercise
more widespread influence over the gen
eesl Eooa tlss in Democracy, aud while
no government should he more guarded in
the exercise Of its powers, none should be
more bold, with caution, in it's legislation
for the Uonmon veal.
The question TO what extent and inwh at
manner legislation il 10 effect this question,
the experience Of events alone can indicate.
Careful consideration and sound Judgment
should guide in this matter. lflesislation
may say that eight hours is days work,
add fsw, If any, dispute it, authority so to
do. il may - wsll say, especially to the cor.
porations which Il brings into existescc, and
upon which it confers valuable franchises,
that they shall not work men IL or 16 hours
day, and refuse them fair compensation
for their labor. Thus far We think legisa
ton night 4 present 60. and We consider
the subject one which commends itself 70
our public eesuonats. and especially to our
legislators, who should b public ecous>
mists AHa
1.-THE eight hour system viii prove I
bens6t . the AhorsS il must necessarily
benefit the employer, for the interests Of
The two properly understood and appreeia.
ted, are not antagonistic; only sclRshness
and avufics mako them &C. We apprshend
that the principal argument for this move
ment will be, that the vorking>men may,
hive time time Ior inproysnant-a worthy
idea; but vim this be, the effect
with the majority : And will the
workiug-msn be satisfied with the
necessary reduction Of wages, for
should legislation say that eight hours shall
constitute > days work. It wpuld - ally
for it to say that the laborer shall receive
the pay Of ten OF MON hours WsApppsss
bend that there will be two prices 10 the
market, and he more remunss alive will su-
percede the other, independent Of hours
Wews ESQ inclt9et to Che opinion tAst
this movement, il successful, will not acr
complish the wished for ends, unlsss tbere
be sous Legislation against work after
hours, which, Of course, will bs inpossi-
0'e. .9sasK 10 g1eRYjstk
Il may be asked. areths evils copplajned
Of the effects Of The present. systems il "a, los
this the prepsf tipeahd sannSr for abating
thems And ct whose door lies the blame
Let not prejudice, cast, political feelings, o.
high Aesndiag ghstoric assxWs but ~ q
hasds1usG1 fleM 1islibE events. w. u
A 4S@ y aseqa iss.ss0 ez
hioiting, in New York, curiously. wrought
monument ID lh1tlsAArits u George Wash.
ington and Abraham Lincoln. It 10 . sin
gYlsf epd ip0eaiqss piecs n v9jQpupposN