The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-05-16
NEw York, May 4, 1868


10 the Editor Of the woRKmaxAx's Advocate
The month so welcome to all who toll for
their bread, charming, smiling May is
here once more, and almost every mechanic
is preparing after the long and very severe
winter, to take advantage Of it. Employ
ment has now become pretty general; but
am sorry to have still to write that the Eight
Hour movement does not progress 50 rapidly
here as !, might do, If men were to do what
they do not do-join the several Unions and
boldly demand it. Workingmen as yet seem
unable to comprehend the great benefits to
be derived from it, socially, morally, and
pecuniarily. Tley fail to see that shor.
hours means more work and higher wages.
All are asking for higher pay, forgetting
that they might have the two things BY ask
ing for the one 6rst, and thus kill two birds
with one stone. as it has now been proved BY
demonstration that shortening the hours has
in all cases, where tried, advanced the
wages confess feel myself Inundated
when going to work Of a morning, see one
Of my friends, . member Of the Plasterers'
association, 'as comfortably seated reading
the news, or attending to his garden, he
salutes me with s'good nsorning slass," 50
see that you can still give two hours day
to capital, that with . very little effort you
might have for yourself 70 recruit your
health and prolong your life /; and what is
better than all, you would get better paid
for your labor, and also much better respect
ed by your boss. When worked ten hours
. day they used to grumble ct paying g.,
now they freely give $5 for eight hours.
Every one told us II would not work, but
We knew it was right and just, and therefore
We made II work, and now all are satisfied
with il. asked do you think there is as
much work done now as under the old sys-
tenn he answered, see no difference be-
cause we are always At for work, we don't
get exhausted like we used to be unde. the
ten hour system. These were facts that
could not dispute, 30 hurried on to be in
time for . ten hour day, leaving my friend
to get his breakfast at his leisure and then
DO in time for eight o'clock. But in going
along could not help deplorsng the help
less condition that one-half Of the mechanics
ore 10 through the apathy and neglect OF the
others these men will do noshlng them
selves norsyet allow any one else to do it for
them. They won't join the Union, and in
you demand anything and strike for il, they
viii be the first to take your place, aad thus
effsctaally block the wheels Of progress.
These men are the especial pets Of the bosses
whose tools they become, and are used by
them to keep IN check, Is they call IL, the
better class Of workmen. The question thar
must be- solved is, what il 10 be done with
these obsRuctionss They are far worse to
deal with than the slaves Of the south we're.
for they would take their freedom a. soon
81 they got the opportunity, and were ready
and Willing TO tight foE it; but these men
refuse 10 either 6ght for il o. asseps Il when
procured for them, but, instesd, plant them-
selves right IN your pash and ei7sctnally nsu-
trAlise al your labor.
The Dry Goods clerks have nov LEFT their
Sae 1s e - nses ~, = eng sIo.n =
their quarters IN Cooper Institute. u "
scsns- ~ - - rsgpsetsd TIT ths pioussrs
q e@riy closing should give ~ thsir Old hall
where - nxehe In 6een done for lAb0F.
sFIs u ~ IN ~ v ekingn snss Usiou
hsse nst % Iones and whsrs they uztussd,
aitsf long d1bataas ~ eishs bar moysnsns,
which hnaly bscome lsw.
: he hls1oey 4 - Hazly OIoaing AsSosiar
tloa . sens1hoe at.fessing - 4 MD ~