The New York herald., 1868-06-25
THE FoRTIETH CONGRESS.

WARRINGTON, June "a, 1893.


The CHAIR laid before the Senate the memorial Of
the Soldiers and Sailors Union Of Washington ask
ing for the passage Of an eight hour law. Laid on
the table.
Mr.. FERRY, rep. OF Conn.,, presented the petition
Of the President and faculty Of Yale College protest
ing against the action Of the State Of California In
dsposing Of land in the Yosemite Valley granted to
that State, 70 private individuals, Referred to the
Committee on Public Lands
Messrs. FERRY and WILSON presented further pc
tttons om soldiers OF 1872 to be placed on the pen
Mr. SUMNER, trep) OF Mass, presented the petition
Of J. W. Barnes, Chairman OF the State Workingmens
Association Of Massachusetts, protesting against the
ferring to the treaty with the Usage Indians.
Mr. MORRILL,. (rep.) OF Me-, and Mr.. PoMER0Y,
ta o Se on nSan a
Mr. JOHNSON, (dem) OF Md, presented the memo
rial Of the ladies composing the Mount Vernon Asso
citation, asking an appropriation Of $4,000.
THE FREEDMEN's BUREAU.
Mr. HOWARD, trep.) OF Mich, introduced bill re-
lating to the Freedmens Bureau and to provide for
It's discontinuance. Referred TO the Committee on
Military Affairs.
1t provides that the General Of the Army shall be
empowered to designate what oficer OF the army IN
rank not lower than brigader general shall li the
ONCE OF Commissioner OF the Bureau OF Freedmen,
Refugees and Abandoned Lands; and that said bu-
reau shall be discontinued In the respective States
where 1t now exists upon their readmission TO re-
presentation In Congress, unless in the judgment OF
the Commissioner 1t shall be unsdvisable to do SO at
that time.
THE EIGHT HOUR LAW.
Mr. CONFESS, repl Of CAL, called up the bill max
ing eight hours days work for aborers and me-
chanics in the government employ
Mr.. SHERMAN, (rep) OF Ohio, moved to amend by
law the rate Of wages paid by the United States shall
be the current rate for the same labor for the same
time at other places Of employment.
Mr.. CONNEss opposed the amendment, saying,
that when he was mechanic he had never done
more or better work by the piece than when working
favor of the plpyQtian lahOr insisting that AZ IA
time the bone and muscle OF the country should re-
ceive encouragement. II would be valuable as an
example to other employers.
Mr. SHERMAN would favor the bill with this amend
ment. He saw no reason for discriminating in favor
se S Tssy worsng De e
had never seen the time when eight hours would
cover his labor, and such was the case with most Of
Mr. HENDRICKS, (dem.) OF Ind, pronounced him
self IN favor Of the bill and opposed TO the amend
ments He reminded the senate that government
In private employment and thought eight hours work
day was enough for any man.
Mr. MORTON, rep.) OF Ind, believed the amend
ment would defeat the purpose OF the bill, which vas
to try the experiment whether as much labor can be
performed In eight hours as in ten hours He was In
favor OF settling this question which was now being
agitated all over the country In this manner.
Mr. STEWART, (rep.) OF Nevada, took the same view:
He insisted that II appropriate results are reached
other advantages viii be gained In the influences
upon life and health.
Mr.. CoNKLNe. trepl Of n. v. asked whether the
II this reduction OF labor would proong llfe II ten
hours labor was fraught with danger TO human life
ne felt disposed to bid aectionate farewell TO MS
friends In this chamber.
Mr.. STEWART remarked that there are plenty OF
volunteers ready for Senatorial labor, while other
branches OF industry were not 80 easily supplied
with labor.
Mr.. COLE, lrep.) of CAL. opposed the amendment.
He was in favor OF giving laborng men opportu-
mites for selfimprovemen.
Mr.. WILSON, trep.) OF Mass, while he had worked
thirteen hours day on farm and fifteen hours as
mechanic, was in favor OF the bill. The amount OF
work to be perfected was not the most Important
consideration, but the production OF race OF Amer-
can men and women cultivated and strong In MIND
and body.
Mr.. MORRILL,, (rep) OF VT, pronounced this bill an
attempt TO obtain votes somewhere and TO DEGRADE
working men by deprving them OF the privilege OF
making contracts for their labor Tor whatever
amount or time and money they choose In MS
opinion IL would greatly injure men In some
branches OF labor, and they would understand IL
and prevent its adding any political advantage to
any party. Another effect would be that men woulu
seek government employment instead OF remaining
~ nome In their ordinary av0cations Those lett pc
hnd also would look with no favor on the prolect.
lie pointed out different kinds oil abor-in macnine
shops, on farms, &c.-whch could not be performed
satisfactorily In eight hours Machinery also could
not be made to work faster so as to do ten nours'
work In eight hours. In his opinion the result w0uu
be reduction Of the rate Of wages.
me morning hour here expiring the order OF tne
day was postponed by vote OF "a TO TO- and the con-
sideration OF the bill resumed.
Mr. BuckALEw (dem.l OF Pa, objected 10 tne
amendment as loading down the Dill win an I'M
necessary condition, which would prevent the gov.
ernment from obtaining skilled labor. He remindeu
the senate that the government frequently required
for ".
MI. FFssEsDFN, rep) Of Me-, sald the plain auee