The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-05-01

ject," II is impossible 10 introdaee, much
more consider aud adopt any new PROPOSE
lion. But the feeling OF the Members was
50 unanimous In condsmning the step taken
by Mr.. Blrie, that they offered 20 oppoaition
whatever to the adoption Of an explanatory
joint resolution as follows:
Resolved. By the Senate and House OF Rep
resentatives, that the joint resolution reducing
and regulating the hours Of labor Of government
laborers workmen and mechanics, approved
June rs, 1865, shall not be 30 construed rs to
authorize corresponding reduction in wages"
Which proves what . terrible mistake the
secretary made. This resolution went to the
senate, and bV the Influence and persistent
efforts Of Mr.. Wilson, Of Massachusetts,, il
succeeded in passing q second reading, and
would have passe as we had the assurance
from more than q majority, had 1t been in
troduced earlier in the session. The oppo-
sition was limited to two or three, who were
effective in talking the matter out of time,
which honor is due to Messrs. Edmunds, OF
Vermont, and Fessenden, Of Maine, the for
mer Of the two being very bitter. Replying
to Mr.. Wilson's motion TO postpone the reso-
luton OF the senator frem Indiana (Mr Nor
toni, to pay southern senators, that the re-
solution Of Mr.. Morton was temporary, and
would take only few thousands from the
treasury, while the resolution proposed by
Mr.. Wilson, was ornament, and would take
millions from the treasury, and he would "a
Their consider the resolution which took the
least Of the peoples money.
few minutes before adjournment Mr.
Wilson claimed the floor, and, in answer to
request from Mr.. Morton be said, II viii
yield for nobody and for nothing. Il il nov
too late to get vote, but | will hold the
floor,-you have refused to pass a resolution
which was adopted by the houss without a
dissenting voice, to explain the meaning OF
law which has been unjustly and fo0lishly
construed by the officers OF the govern
ment." At the conclusion Of which the
president announced the first session OF the
forty first congress adjourned. If his ham
mer had struck me instead Of the table, il
could not have hurt more than the tempora-
ry defeat of our measure.
| noticed the action Of senators as closely
as possibly could, and | am proud to say
that Sherman, BY lis silence, and the assn
rance we had that be would not oppose the
explanatory resolution, and the good service
performed by the senator from your State
(Mr. Trumbull), who, when there was
Garrett Davis and took him out or the sen
ate chamber, have redeemed themselves,
while the anxiety Of Mr.. Wilson. and his
close watching Of the clock as the minute
hand came nearer and nearer to the hour Of
twelve, and the prospect Of vote lessened,
completely took down ell my preludices 10
the mans politics and made me bis friend
In behalf of the Joint committee, and, I
Il 81, o. al 10 =
Ingmen Of the whole country, | thank The
members Of the house Of representatives. for
their promptness, aud the senator's who as
sured Us they would vote for the resolution I;
bat all the praises | could write about the
action Of Senator Wilson would fall far
short Of doing justice to the able, honest AMI
unyielding efforts Of that honorable gentle
man. True 70 his word, he stood by and
watched the measure with an earnestness Of
purpose that assured Us beyond all doubt
that his promise had not been lightly made.
S)me OF US wished Tor a CONFESS, but VIII
son exceIled even him. Single handed be
took hold Of the measure, and unaiied he
baulei Tor il; and, il the workingmen Of
this country will measure a mans worth By
the interest be maniIests for their welfare
and interests, they will never forget him
After the adjournment he assured me he
that would not let the matter rest.
He believed the sense Of the people had been
expressed by their representatives, and he
therefore held It to be the duty Of the par
ties who execute tie Law to respect il.
The different committees IN town from
Massachusetts,, South Carolina, New YORK,
District Of Columbia, Per nsy lvanis, Illinois,
New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and Mr.
George 9. Cook, president Of Trades Assem-
Y bly, here, j. z. q. WhAley and Mr.. CAvis Of
\ the National Union, gentlemen ! had long
wished to become acquainted With, met on
the 7th inst, in Trades Union Hall, and or.
gAnized By selecting Mr.. Wnaley chairman
and John W. Browning, secretary. The
( Hon. Mr.. Whaley, Of West Virginia, was
present, and gave US some GOOD ADVICE. tie
7 was one Of the first in congress to agitate the
eight-hour movement, and declared i was
never the intention Of congress TO reduce the
wages with the hours.
0ne Of the members stated that he hal
waited upon Mr.. BOrie and learned that his
recon- incubation to congress was based upon
a letter written BY Admiral Joe Smith, which
sets forth that, as the appropriation Of con-
gress is so small, and the applicants for work
50 numerous, that reduction Of wages had
better be made. The letter was endorsed BY
/ Mr.. B0wles, solicitor Of the navy department
/ with the opinion thst the pay Of workmen
could be reduced to eight-tenths Of what il
\ formerly was.
4 Mr. Hsiduter stated that an order had been
issued that day FOR the men TO 60 to work
ten hours for the old rates Of compensation.
which they refused to do.
Mr.. Collins then offered The following re-
solutions which were unanimously adopted
after which the meeting adjourned
4 WHEREAs, The congress Of the United State:
7 lid, on the 25th day or June lS6S, pass an aci
declaring eight hours legal days work in all
government employ, and
WHRREAs, The secretaries Of war and The IA
w have ia our opinion, miscoustrued the law in
I their orders, believing that the reduction Of the
hours Of labor carried a corresponding reduc don
in the pay; and
! WRKREAs, The law has been rendered inope
rative by said orders, therefore be it
/ Resolved, That the workiugmen of the coun-
try desire to know if eongFess, in passing the
Eight Hour Law, intended to benefit or injure
the working classes by the passage of said law.
Resolved, That II itw the intention Of con
gress 10 legislste ir favor OF labor, we desire 70
know it and we can only know their intentions
. BY their acts.
! Resolved, That we call upon the members Of
\ congress to pass an act explanatory Of the act
making eight hours a legaa days work in all
! government employ-whetheT they mean eight
4 hours work for eight-tenths wages, or eight
hours work for tul wages.
Y Resolved, That the action Of congress under
\ the construction of the law given by the seere-
tsries of navy and var, in reduction Of the
I wages Of all employees Ii the government navy
yards and srsenals, will decide whether or not
| the Law was honestly intended TO benefit the
working classes or 10 deceive them.
/ Ga Saturday, the 10th, we held another
meeting at the same place ard unanimously
adopted the following resolutions OF thanks :
| WHKREAs, Notwithstanding the rejection by
the senate ..f the United States, June a. 1855,
! OF the amendment TO the Eight-hour Law pro-
posed by Senator 81 y nan, 70 reduce the wages
| in corresponding degree, the Law has been IN
Justly construed BY the secretary Of war and the
aacretarv nf the navy 10 authorizes such rRduc