The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-05-17
The Eight. Hour Movement.


attracting SO much attention, is merely a
more noticeable outbreak OF. an epidemic
which has seized the whole tailoring popu-
lation Of the country The laboring classes
are everywhere in profound discomfort. II
they had merely got some new theory or
taking crochet into their heads, which only
required refutation to restore them to their
old habits, the present manifestations might
be regarded as transient dream. But in
truth their condition has never been so de-
pressed as it is at present and this in spite
OF very high nominal wages. IF they saw
other classes equally pinched, they would
doubtless endure their lot with more pa
tience, looking upon it as a necessary con-
sequence of arrangements in which the
whole community were common sufferers.
But when they walk the streets and observe
more costly apparel and expensive frippery
than were ever worn before !. when they
compute the profits of the landlords of
whom they hire their. tenements when
they read in the newspapers the income re-
turns of the Weather classes, which are
Increasing heavier while laborers find it
more and more difficult to meet their week
ly bills, is it strange that the inquiry forces
itself upon their minds, Why the pressure
OF the times bears so heavily on them, and
20 lightly upon others? Why are the rich
growing every year rapidly richer, and the
people who work for wages poorer? With
their minds full of such euestionings, and
their hearts full of discomfort and niseiv-
ings, is it strange that new theories of the
rights Of labor should penetrate easily
and strike their roots decp2
Whether the old relations between labor
and capital are right or wrong, it is evident
enough Trey are not operating in the old
way. They are working more than ever
before for the advantage of the rich and t.,
the detriment of the poor None of the
defences of the old system. Of which certain
newspapers are just now so profuse, account
Tor those new results of its operation,
which are giving such a stimulus to the
strikes that are prevailing all over the coun-
try. 1t seems idle to discuss this question
precisely as it would have been discussed
seven years ago. What the artisans want
to know is, why they. do not partake, as
formerly, in the prosperity of the other
classes
1t seems to them a great paradox and
puzzle, that political party which has
been more successful in accomplishing its
aims than any party ever was BEFORE. a
party whose ralying cry has been ''the
rights Of labor" whose constant protest
has been against the injustice of toll being
compelled to give its earnings to pamper
wealth. - it seems to the laborers most in.
congruous and paradoxical thing that srch
party should have brought the country
into condition in which they receive
smaller share of the products of their in
zdustry than they ever did before. This is
not what they were led to expect when per-
suaded to vote with the Republican party.
That party has brought them into this con-
dition; and they seem disposed to rely On
themselves 20 get out of it. Their meth
DDS may be wrong; but they are not mis-
taken in supposing that they ought to find
some relief from so very unexpected con-
sequence Of a great, and what is claimed to
be successful, revolution in favor of the
rights of labor. Their discomfort, which
j, not causeless, is becoming sc widespread
and universal that it becomes one of the
chief duties Of faithful press to enlightcn
it. The hour is at hand when these infinite
multitudes of repning workmen will feel
themselves insulted by boasts in their pres.
eDce Of the equalization of condition in the
South, when so much new inequality is in
troduced into the North. The laboring
classes are relatively much worse off in con-
sequence of the war. What they repine
at is not that they bear their fair share of
a necessary burden for it would be unman-
y to complain of this-but that the new
policy works in such manner as to trans
fer their earnings into other men S pockets
No platitudcs about the impelicy of strikes
on the folly of demanding ten hours pay
for eight hours work, will soften the dis
content of the laborers with the general !
impoyerishment OF their condition while
others are making unwonted accumulations |
IT they try the mistaken methods, failure
will cure them of heir error, and increas-
ing distress will keep them in seach of the !
right remedy. 1t is all very well to preach
co cooperation, which is excellent in principle |
and deserves earnest encouragement but
it does not meet the present exigency.-
The great mass of our laborers are too
poor to cooperate. Under the most IA
vorable circumstances, that admirable sys-
tenn would be of gradual introduction and !
slow growth. How shall artisans who
must pinch their families to save during the /
month enough to pay the next months
rent, contribute funds to set up new estab- !
lishments for ship-building or iron-smelt-
ing, or any Of the numerous employments
of which the returns may not come back /