The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-06-03
THE DARK SIDE OF THE QUESTION

AhN Dhhh O1UE Vt lhL W ESl1UN
The last number Of this paper contain
ed an article In reference to the Prcsi-
dents proclamation on the so called eight
hour system with which we cannot agree,
though we are sorry that at almost the
first step in our new calling we have to
differ with our predecessors; but we can
not help expressing our conviction on
that subject, because it is not only very
serious one, and of an almost incalculable
extent in its consequences, but especially
because sanctioning injustice by silence
would be almost Identical with trying to
corrupt Justice.
Every law, especially in republic
should not only be just, but just to all.
Wherever this fundamental principle is
wanting, such law must either remain un-
executed or, if carried into effect, must
become curse in its consequences and is
forever unworthy of free, intelligent
people. From this stand point we con-
slider the so-called eight hour law, and on
that account we have to express our sor-
row, that Grant has sanctioned this mono
poly, created by our Congress, by issuing
his proclamation to that effect, for ac-
cording to it, there EXISTS now pri;uil
eyed class Of ldJorers tho small compar-
ed with the great mass of working men)
called the Government employees, who en-
joy the right to claim and who do receive
for eight hours work, the remuneration
for ten hours work.
What will now be the practical conse-
quence of this wise ~ measure? simply
the establishment Of a privileged class
an aristocracy Of working men, who will
look down with disdain upon the common
laborer, who has not the advantage of
standing on the same hight with the pa
aician of the Government.
And how pleasing must be this con-
gressional wisdom to the laboring Pariah
when he must work during ten hours of
the day, while his fellow-workman the
Government aristocrat, only works eight
hours, enjoys himself as he pleases for
two hours more, and then receives pay for
ten hours work and this in country
where every one clamors for equality and
whose Constitution is based on the fun
damental principle af equal rights to ALL
The defenders Of this ''eight hour
measure" will try to console US with the
assurance that Government employees
will be SO 1luch more diligent, that they
produce during eight hours work, the
same amount Of labor produced before in
ten hours and that this law, as carried
out in the Government shops, will be fol-
lowed by corresponding increase of wages
or rather, by the reduction of the time of
labor at equal wages, in private work
shops and in general practice.
This is certainly great error. an error
founded on self deception, the most dan
gerous cf all deceptions, or else it is an
excuse, by which they hope to quiet their
consciences, or it may only be pious wish
(no doubt honestly meant)-but we are
no friend of any such excuses, especially
when the veal or wee, of millions of our
fellow beings is dependant thereon. In
regard to the first excuse, there may be
some workmen. who finish in eight hours
what they used to doin ten, but these are
and ever will be exceptions; it would be
as nonsenical as the law itself, to insist
that such is the case with all or even a
majority.
Concerning the second excuse, it is an
incontrovertible fact, that the fluctuations
aud unceasing changes of business and
employment, the ever varying want ol
abundance ard consequent value of labor
can never be determined by positive laws,
and all that such use-and senseless en-.
'deavors will sooner or later ayepge them