Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-09-18

laly, a. i. Cav1s, Denalo AcO1tnfan, anu
John q. udd, were appointed . connmittee to
make the following statement in reference 70
the passage of the eight hour law BY Congress,
10 the workingmen Of the country, in justice
10 the trades, It's members, the cause, and Hon
The Cincinnsti Ese.ss9 cAso.iele Of ID Sep
tember contains Q letter from Washington,
dated August 2Sth, addressed TO the work
ingmen electors Of the Second Congressional
District" signed by A. d. Brock, ID. W. Flynn,
J. w. Mattingly, q. W. Rowland, B. A. Swan
tract Hon. samuel +. Cary. and strip him Of
all credit for the passage OF the eIght-hou r law
OF the last session Of Congress.
The Workingmen's Assembly Of the District
of Columbia, knowing all the facts connected
with the progress and CONTAMINATION Of this
Law, and the agencies employed, is astounded
al tue assumptions Of this article, that Its sign.
ers not only secured Its enactment but are
entitled TO all the merit for Its reference to the
Attorney General for his opinion, to overthrow
the instructions Of the Secretary Of Wsr, who
made wages conform to the powers of the law.
In the facs OF this had appropriation of the
honor Of having contributed to the success
OF this measure, what are the facts
The eight.hour movement began with the
IL on-moulders Union OF this city, who ope-
rated through the Presidents upon all trade or
ganizations OF this vicInage, and elected dele.
gates To form the Workingmen's Convention.
This body projected and carried out monster
demonstration, which not only included a
torch light parade, but public meeting at the
City Hall, which was addressed by eminent
mechanics OF this and other cities. Tne whole
affair was q great success, and for largeness OF
Plumbers has seldom been equailed in Wash
iDgton.
That meeting, and its incidents reused the
Workingmen ~ perseyering ana systematic eff.
tort. More thorough organization was ef.
fected. An address was issued to the country in
large numbers, and memorials sent out for sig.
nature and presentation to Congress. These
were presented 70 Congress, with thousands of
names appended as fast As returned. A Com.
mittee was also appointed TO make an argument
before the Judiciary Committee of the House;
and the duty was performed 30 e6ecti vely, that
that Committee UNANIMOUSLY agreed to report
the bill though from some cause known best
10 Hon. James +. Wilson, its chairman, the
order was not obeyed. The second session of
the 39th Congress only buoyed us up for ulti-
mate disappointment. As the third was draw.
ing to q close, and Just prior to the Connecticut
election, Hon. N. r. hanks, Of Massachus etts,
sprung an eight-hour JOINT ret olutlon on the
House, and rushed it through without debate,
explanation, or division. A feeble effort was
made to pass IT in the Senate; but 1t was at last
throttled, BY being referred to the Finance
Committee, and no efforts Of our Committee,
though numerous and importunate, could
warm the indifference of Senators.
The depressing effect of failure caused many
TO yield the contest. Others, however, satisfied
that success was but question Of time, braced
them selves anew and struggled on. Regular
yisitations Of trade organizations were lnstitu-
ted, puthc meetings called in various sections
OF the city, and earnest efforts made to ronse
labor to demand justice from legislation.
Under the inspiration of means thus exerted
fresh delegates were returned TO our body, and
a 'nore perfect union" formed, under the name
OF the "Workingmen's Assembly" Thus for
titled, we renewed our suit before Congr -.
through committees As the session was draw.
ing TO close, Hon. N. r. Banks again repeated
MS manoeuvre OF the former year, and another
bill was passed. This was on the eve OF the
Connecticut election of1s67. This bill was ia
oied by the Senate, and vigorous campaign
was begun on Senators to take up and pass it,
Prior To the I'D Of June, when the m .asure
was satisfactorily disposed of, and up to the
day before the passage of the bill, committees
ana lndivldu ais, In our interest were in almost
time-when party hopes and fears were ex-
cited by the clamor labor was raising and evil
deacing In onseryatiye reactions; when a for
walch might not pretermit the labor platform
adopted AT Chicago; Just at this time, when the
POLITICIANS Necessity was our opportunity; in
this conJuncture of opposing forces, when not
10 pass the measure might ALLEVIATE large num-
bers OF labor votes throughout the country;-
Just al this time, we say, Messrs. Brock, Ross a.
70. volunteered their poUerfl aid to urge upon
Republican Senator'S the absolute party neces.
sity of passing this law. AS the necessity was
pressing, and recognized, of course
compliance was easily secured. A determined,
but fruitless opposition was led by Senator
sherman, supported by Fessenden, Morton,
Cameron, and others, but Senator CONFESS,
" it'll whom our committee habitually con-
ferred, yanquished all opposition, and tri.
succeed as party measure, but upon its merits;
for the support OF gentlemen Of both parties
was enlisted II lis favor, and hut for this II had
failed at last.
with the enactment OF this law, Is
not the presumption OF Brock & Co moustrous
in appropriating the honor (, As it was SON
Iederate season" success had followed with
equal certainty had d0Rie, trayed.
As the more prominent II not all, of these
mel We're here from 1865 TO lSCs, during the
lorg struggle for this law, why, when their In.
nuence was so potent, did they not mercifully
exert lt,and end our labor and suspsnse-twoo of
them being members Of the Assembly, and one
us president and Wee President for over a
yearl
And now as TO the enforcement Of the law.
IL is the duty OF the President OF the United
States to care take that the laws are faithfully
executed, and ace have NO wish to interfere with
his prerogalye.
Nevertheless, as soon as the newspapers de
veloped the facts Connected with the disregard
OF the law at Rock Island, Illinois, II was de-
term med a. the next meeting of the Assembly
To move committee TO request the President
10 revoke the instructions OF the Secretary or
War or procure the Attorney Generals con.
struction of the law. Such action was had on
the l9th August, and the committee discharged
the duty on the cath.
Our necessarily delayed action gave oppor.
tunity TO the printers Grant and Colfax
Club composed almost exclusively OF en-
ployes Of the Government printing ONCE, TO
,N'NA W nc III aht i-AecIest VI party consequent
ly, on the 18TH they met, and sent a com mittee
TO the Secretary OF War, who refused 10 coun-
termand the order. They then, As indiciduals,
waited on the President.
This action was simply party trick to sup
port unfounded claims to the gratitude OF
as il was well known tina. the
assembly would give attention TO the mater
al the regular meeting on the 18Th, and on. OF
the slgner< TO the Cincinnati letter had pre-.
pared a resolution for the purpose, but which
wa not used, to effect the object already antic-
ipated IN part by the use of his name-and,
perhaps, as on another occasion in another
place-wiihout his knowledge or consent.
And now, as 10 tie part played by Hon. Sam
uel j. Cary in this and other labor matters be.
fore Congress.
When hi. election was beralded as the choice
OF the workingmen OF Cincinnati, the news was
hailed with delight in this city. His advent
insured US an able exponent IN Congress. Thus
impressed with the importance of his presence
in the House, the Assembly held SPECIAL
NEE ting TO arrange reception, and on hrs
arrival thousands OF workingmen beset his
quarters at the Seaion House, and hung upon
his lips while he eloquently portrayed tue
wrongs Of Ia Dor and developed his remedies
MattIngly, then President of this BODY, and a
gentleman more frequently in counsel with
General Cary afterwards than any other men,
her. He was conversant with all our move.
ments, and is able, ana should be willing to
indicate the fidelity Of General Cary TO his
prin ciples and pledges, and stigmauIe as alb
solutely false the allegations, specific and i'm
phsd, IN the Cincinnati letter 70 which his
harne Is appended.
From that night 10 the adjournment General
Cary has been an honest, fearless and indus tri-
frfh nra tk..N arl-l al