The national Republican., 1867-05-07
THE LABOR MOVEMENT.


laborers are everywhere insisting that
eight hours shall be the marimum Of
days work, and many employers are as
stoutly contending that they will not pay
for eight hours labor what they have here
tofore paid for ten hours. Out Of this con-
tention much trouble may grow. A stagna-
tion in business will ensuo, and precisely 4
what the end is TO be it is not SO easy to
predict. 1t is, nevertheless, ono Of those
vital questions that cannot be ignored,
and we propose TO consider it in the light
of facts already developed, and to make
such suggestions as to us seem timely and
pertinent TO the issue.
The rights of labor and the rights Of
capital, and the precise relations Of the
former to the latter, are questions more
easily descanted upon than settled. The
wise heads Of statesmen, philosophers, and
political economists have been much puz-
zled with these questions, and still there
remains much uncertainty as to what arc
the true principles to be adopted in cmer-
gencies like this, which is now affecting
very seriously the industrial interests Of
the country In years past VIC have had
the schemes, theories, and speculations Of
Communists, FOurieriteS, &C., but these
we're all dreamers, no practical results
having ever been realized from these Uto-
plan schemes 1t is over now, and the
stern fact remains that man must labor,
and if he will not labor neither shall he
eat" The old and unrcpealable decree is
still in force, "By the sweat Of thy face
shalt thou cat bread" There il stands as
memorable as fate. 1t will be long while
before man can outwit Omnipotence, or
find royal road to plenty and competence
except through toll and labor.
This, however, docs not settle the ques-
tion just how many hours n man shall
labor, and just what capital shall pay him
for that labor. These questions return
with force, and at this juncturc they are
vital in all communities. What is to be
the adjustment of this complex and per-
picking question, now thrust upon us, it is
not so easy to determine. In many parts
of the country, in Chicago particularly,
the community is profoundly excited with
the solution of this problem.
The Illinois Legislature enacted at its
last session the following law:
SECTION l. That on and after the lst of
May, 1867, eight hours of labor, between
the rising and the setting of the sun, in
all mechanical trades, arts and employ
ments, and other cases of labor and SER
vice by the day, except in farm employ |
ments, shall constitute and be legal days |
work, tChen there is no special contract or
agreement to the contrary.
SEC 2. This act shall not apply TO or
an any 'cay effect labor or service by the
year, month or lVeek; nor shall any person
be pfevented by anything herein contained |
from tcorktng as many hours Overtime or
ertrd hours as he or she MAY dgree, and it |
shall not in any scnTc be held to apply to |
rm labor"
Here, then, VIC have it. Let eight hours
be legal days work, and let those who
please to make other and different con.
tracts be free to act in the premises as
they can agree. 1t would seem that the
plan which the laws suggest might obvi-
ate all difficulties; but, on the contrary,
it is not SO. GEmployers insist that thoy ]
willnot pay as much for eight hours labor as
they have heretofore paid for ten or twelve
hours. The employees contend that there
shall be no reduction; and just here they
come to dead lock, and the wheels of in
dustry are blocked. In Chicago, at this
time, there is a good deal of excitement
upon this question, and though all is quiet
and orderly, there is undoubtedly a deep
feeling pervading that community. Per
haps we cannot better explain the state of
things in that city than by the following
'V'r'"t. which we take from q letter of n
correspondent to the New York Herald:
"Ihe boiler manufacturers will adhere to
The ten-hour plan, and close their shops
rather than yield to the new movement,
The sash and blind makers refuse TO nav
more than eight hours pay for eight hours
work The owners of planning mills have a
determined to discharge eighthour men,
Plumbers and marble workers will make
40 concessions to their men, and tanners
Will close their establishments rather than
pay more wages. Painters have agreed
pay, h'Ge honrs wages for eight ho, ~;
work. The railroad companies, wi. ar. 1rs
Exception, are united in saying Il ;'nout
'annot carry on their business "a. tS' they
IIours, and are discharging eve "ltn elght &
demands that basis. The pr ,ty man SiaIIlS .MnS
asst night to take no .interS decided
nent' and will work o. t tlart IN @ tne m2Ye, Tn
abroad companies 3 heretofore. The
heir places; ar At will be hard to fill
process of ere d numerous buildings in
tatu gto f. ,ction will have to remain in
eaper 70. Jr some time to come. At the
,or at ,ctorics there will be no trouble,
ner the rolling mills. Many establish.
Its are employing and paying men by
de hour, but the feeling on the part of en-
ployers is almost unanimous in favor of
paying but eight hours pay for eight
hours work, and they will close their
establishments rather than yield. In the
meantime, the laborers are equally deter
mined to labor eight hours for ten hours
pay, and will not conccde an inch to the
employers demand The employers
threaten they will hold out for year il |
necessary, and thus for the time being in
dustry may be said to be paralyzed Many |