The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1866-06-22


communication on the subject of the early
closing of stores, which We publish with
pleasure, and recommend to the favorable
consideration of our business men:
FRIEND CRowLEY In your last issue
| of the Pilot I was much pleased TO see an
article on the early closing Of stores in
this town, which for its justice and appro-
piiateness commepds itself to the liberal
minded merchants Of Manitowoc.
Now, as | am one Of those most inter
ested in this matter, being clerk whose
days work consists of from fifteen to sx>
teen hours, think it just and proper tina,
the question of closing stores early should
be thoroughly ventilated
A reform is needed. While the work
ing men, mechanics and tradesmen of all
kinds are agitatiug the adoption Of the
eight hour system, is it not ust and proper
that we clerks should raise our voices
against the inquitous sirteen hour system
that is now in vogue here
This question Of what shall constitute a
days work is so important that it has
/
State Legislature in the Union, and even in
! the halls Of Congress has the matter been
! discussed.
Abou. the eight, or the ten hour sys-
tenn have nothing to say, bu. most
emphaticaly protest against spending
sixteen hours il the store when Just the
same amount Of business can be done in
! W. III
customers too. The present system is
unjust to US, it deprves US Of leisure time
which we should have to recreate our
selves, or TO improve our minds. In fact
it leaves US no time for erj ment-" our
beings end and aim" As it is, our lives
are nothing but an endless routine. up in
the morning, open the store at FIVE o'clock,
stay there all day, hurry home and bolt
our meals, and after supper when other
people are out enjoying themselves in the
free air of heaven, aoe clerks have the
pleasure of lounging around on the coun-
ters or standing at the store doors and see
others happiness. Then long after nine
o'clock when the word "shut up shop -
is spoken we can trudge home to retire to
may be ready for another such day as
the last.
Is cur lot not an envous one? Is not
our path strewn With flowers, and sur
rounded with pleasant green felds9 who
| viii answer?
1t is a notorious fact that what profit is
made on sales after seven o'clock at night
does not on an average pay for the light
used. Aud if all understood it, customers
could just as we'll buy what they want
before seven as after it, and perhaps a
little better, having daylight to assist
them.
And still merchants, wealthy and nte!li-
gent men too, will make their stores club
rooms where several meet every evening
to discuss the news; where politics,
religion, the invasion Of Canada, the
downfall Of the British Empire and every
thing under the sun is discussed and
wisely disposed Of to their entire satisfac,
tion by these wise savans and political
economists; and during all this time the
hours slip away, the clerks grin restless,
there is nothing for them to do, but they
must stay till their lord and master sees
fit to 60.
How much better i. would be If mer,
chants, even if they did not wish to spend
their own evenings at home, would allow
their clerks to partake of the comforts and
enjoyments of home.
How pleasant it is, after the days work
is done to return to your own happy FIRE
side to spend the evening 10 social converse
with those you love. To have your chill
dren gather around your knee, with ,hei
bright gladsome faces, and their childisl
prattle, while the mother looks on with
smile that remiuds you of her girlhoot
days.
All but this is not for ua, no seen
such as this meets our eyes when 70
return. 1t is so late that all are in bed
while we poor weary souls are fain to fol
low them, to gain the needful rest to fit u
for the coming day.
Cannot this be changed, Merchant
of Manitowoc, it is for you to answer. Il
other places where civilization hold
sway, merchants have made it rule t
} close early, and they find they are no
losers by il.
, Cannot you merchants do the same
Let some of the leading merchants Q
Manitowoc inaugurate the plsn Of CLOSING
stores early-say seven o'clock-and al
the rest will follow. BY so doing, with
out injury to themselves, they will no
OILY do an act of justice. but will gai
more and more the respect ard esteem G
their employees. CLERK.
KEwAUNEE.-The Enterprise SAYS tha