The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-09
SOCIAL sCIGNCE SOCIETY,".
Government and W,@yes.

meeting of the Social Scien oe Society was held
last night at Plimpton Hall. Mr. Moran occupied
the chair. The subject for discussion was "Can
government control the wages aud hours OF labor
by legisationp' twas opened by Mir. r. L. DUG
DALE who argued that legislation could have no
practical and abiding effect in controlling the rate
Of wages The real elements inevitably necessary
to be taken int confederation in this question were
The power OF capital on the side and the power
OF labor on the other. There were eXcep-
uonal circumstances in which legislation did
affect the rate OF wages, when 10 alected
the rate Of production OF actcles OF industry, and
also whenit by taxation nterfered with the DISPOSE
ton OF the acquired results Of the industry OF the
laborer He was opposed entirely 70 all protective
legislation. because 1t did not permanently improve
the condition OF the aborer.
The CHAIRMAN argued that there were certain
natural laws that inevitably controlled the relations
between capital and labor, and that no legislation
could prevent the operation of these laws. Wages
depended upon the value that was obtalnable by
the production OF capital and labor. There
was common error among the laborng
classes that the rate OF wages was dependent
upon the viii Of the employer, whereas 1t was
dependent upon these Inevitable laws, which were
as immntable o. anything in nature The law that
governed capital ana lacor was unquestionaby sup
ply and demand. lie thea enlarged upon the rea-
tons between capital and LABOR. anu TO the con-
trolling erect IN that relationship tnat machinery
pro AuGeu, WHICH ldllcT nc iuUuHAL WIS DiSssluY
and an inestlmable advantage TO The laborer.
ar 0RMsBY thought that the great trouble was not
the overbearng requirements OF the capitalist, but
the ignorance OF the aDorer that prevented him occu
pyng position IN society to which he Is entitled The
misery OF poverty was mainly confined 10 the men
who had no industrial capacities. AS Daniel Web
ster said, 'there was plenty OF room at the top.N
lie was or an opinion that the rate OF wages
controlled by higher law than that OF any human
legislation.
MIR. SARREI, of Broadway, a composition, said that
In 1876 ne could purchase IN the CITY OF New YORK
Dia IA
double the wages He was OF an opinion tlat gov
ernment had no right TO interfere with the number
of hours that grown up people should work. He said
tnat al capitalists were but laborers with this differ
ence, that the capitalists had the results OF the
mutation OF his labor, and that therefore, capitalists
were great benefit 10 Workngmen generally He
SAID that he had a conversation with Mr. Connolly,
delegate 10 the trades unions Of America from Eng
land, and Connolly sad tnai nothing surprised hun
more than the folly OF the stone OF America,
who were striking Tor an Increased rate or wages
over I've dollars day. The eitect OF tails was that
iron houses being built, aud the iron moulders
were only paid two dollars aud han q day. The
stone mason with his Ave collars day no bet
Ter OF, so far rs living concerned, III New York
thau the stone mason III LONDON.
Dr. LAMBERT urged that legislation could and
ought 10 regulate the rate OF wages anu the hours OF
ia0or. lie urged that the Legislature ought to give
10 al the means OF possessing liberty, peace and
longevity. He woud have Inc large capitalists,
such Us Vanderbilt, Fisk and Law controlled in
Their mUnOpUles lie entered lengthiy upon the
moaopOl!Zing spirit OF Mr.. Vanderbilt, and
Guided By urging an increased legislation by which
che ZEN commandments might be enforced
The proceedings were protractei TO a late hour.