The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-05-07
NJ ElEbt Hear Law.


1,va could believe that the scheme
~ unoiting days work TO eight hours
IL hest for the Workingmen, we should
advocate It; for We are sure thst what
is best for the laborer is best for all.
But the laboring men do not believe
that the reduction of the working day
from ten to eight hours, with a cores
ponding reduction in wages, is best for
them. They demand the same wages
for eight-tenths Of . days work that
they before had for the whole.
The difference Of twenty per cent in
the wages for the same amount of labor
must therefore come out OF the employ
err Can the employer stand this3
Twenty per cent Is large profit upon
Investments in any kind Of manufac-
turing production. Is the profit Of the
| Investments in the various forms of in
dustry so great that the capitalists can
afford to take twenty per cent from it,
| TO add to the wages of the Workmen?
II not, then the capitalist must go
down, and his investment must be
withdrawn to save 1t from ruin. And
thus employment will be diminished !
Has any way been found out by
capital which builds the factories and
shops, and supplies the materials, and
carries on all the operations between
the Workmen and the market, can be
made to continue business, and to fur
ntsh employment, and to enlarge their
Investments, at a continual losS3 1t
not, then the prosperity OF hecapital-
ist or employer Ia necessary to the en-
ployment and prosperity Of the work
men, and thus their interests are bound
together. Therefore, the workmen who
invested in production, make war upon
their own livelihood. --.Ezl Il
Some may think that much of the
work that Is going on, such as building,
Is supported by capital previously ac-
cumulated, and, therefore, that the de-
mand tof the workmen for a greater
share OF this Will not interfere with the
prosperity OF, the current business
which furnishes general employment.
But this Isl blind view, for in one way
or another all kinds of employment de-
pend upon the profitableness of the in
vestment of capital Ifthere were any.
lines Unemployment that were exempt
from this immediate operation of a
change which would, ruin other kinds,
these would soon be glutted by the
workmen thrown out of employ in the
other lines Of labor.
The building that Is done by accumu-
lated capital that Is Indifferent to the
current profits OF business, and to the
future profitable demand for the build
ings, Is very little in any community.
Will the diminished production Of
eight hours work enable the manufac-
turing capitalist to raise the price so as
to keep up his profit? The diminished
and more costly production In one place
will only give an advantage to other
places which can produce cheaper. The
ten hour communities would prosper,
while the eight hour communities
would run out
To be OF any egect in reducing pro-
duction, the reduction of labor must be
universal. II st. Louis and Chicago
were to reduce production, and to in
crease the cost by reducing the days
work to eight hours at the same wages,
while Cincinnati continued the present
system, she would supply the whole
market which now contributes to the
three. We could lay down articles in
either place at a less price than they
could produce them on the spot. Our
men prosper, while theirs would de-
cline, and their WOrkmen would be
forced to emigrRte.
1.-THE West were to adopt the eight
hour system, while the Fact continued
as it Is, we should throw all production
10 the East. And II it were universal
in the United States, the manufacture
ing production wouLi be thrown into
the hands of Europe, and our workmen
would have to resort TO farm labor, to
drain the soil OF It's wealth to send to
Europe, paying two bushels for the car
rage of one, 70 pay for things made
under the ten, twelve and fifteen hour
measure ola days labor.
We have 10 conclude that the laboring
men who have agitated for law max
ing eight hours legal days work, are
warning against their own interests;
and that In Chicago and other places in
Illinois, where this has been made a
law, the minority of laboring men who
are now trying to coerce the majority
to prevent them from working unless
they have full wages for the reduced
time, are robbinR them of their liyeli.
hood. II they should succeed in en-
forcing this system ofreduced work at
the same wages, they would destroy
the business which furnishes them q
livelihood. But it is impossible that
this scheme can succeed, and therefore
the woEkmen Will intlict all the loss OF
stoppage upon themselves and upon
the business whose prosperity Is vital
to their employment, and VIII at last
return 70 the old plan, which leaves
Wages to the law OF mature, which cam
not be turned by statute law.