The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-05-10
THE WORK IN @ NJ Il N
THE EIGHT HOUR LAW
NAVY YARD EMPLOYEES IN COUNCIL
A UNION LEAGUE FORMED


A UNION LEAGUE FORMED
In accordance with the announcement
heretofore made in the REPUBLICAN, the
workingmeu of the Washington navy-yard
met at Odd Fellows Hall, east Washington,
for the purpose of forming an eight-hour
league similar to those now organizing In
other navy-yards throughout the United
States. Al eight o'clock Mr.. John L. Hay
ghue called the meeting TO order, and stated
the object for which the meeting was called
On motion, Mr.. Richard Emmous was
chosen temporary chairman, and Mr.. Jas. r.
Street secretary.
The Following committee on resolutions
were appointed Messrs. John l.. Hayghue,
James r. Street, l.. Frost, Geo. J. Cunning
ham, and W. B. Hardester. This committee
subsequently reported the following series Of
resolutions
Received, That we, the workIngmen and
estly believe that the true spirit, Intent and
Interpretation of the eighthour law (passed
by Congress June IS, 1881 means that the
workingmen mentioned therein shall receive
full days wages for eight hours work, our
belief being based on the opinions OF the Hon.
Henry Wilson, Hon. N. p. Banks, Hon. A. T.
Stevens, Hon. Stevenson Archer, and fually
confirmed BY the passage Of the deelaratory
Joint resolution BY the Unanimous Consent Of
the House Of Represeatatives, and the favor
able entertainment OF the resolution In the
Re,oired, That we believe there /, too much
Intelligence and legal ability In the members
OF the United States to ensct = law TO accom-
plish one purpose and mesn another.
Resolred, That as the President OF the United
the people ;ss "s law. 'S Vii ). isfssisl S
executed whether they meet my appreciation
or not !" and believing, As we do, the President
to be man OF high moral character and I'M
impeaehable veracity, we appeal to him TO
make good In substance to us his voluntary
| promise applied to the eight.hour law, as II
has been explained BY the Hon. Henry Wilson
In his honest and able letter to the Hon. Sec
| Rotary OF War.
Rs,oirsd, That we think II inexpedient to
work longer than eight hours per day, unless
the exigeneies OF the Government require II,
and when our services are required In work.
Ing extra hours, we shall expect the same pay
fot the extra time worked /. that paid BY out.
Re,oiged, That the workingmen and meehsn.
les Of the Washington navy yard invoke the
blessing ns,i Of Aimish,y God q behalf Of those
Banks, Hon. A. Z. Stevens, Hon. Stevenson
Archer, Mr.. Stevenson, OF Ohio, and others, In
whom we recognize the spirit Of the true
philan,htophi,t, aetuated BY those ennobllng
principles that will ever endcar them 10 the
hearts OF the working people.
The resolutions were then unanimously
| adopted.
On motion of Mr.. George Scott, 1t was re-
| solved to organize an elght-hour league, for
the purpose OF co operating with the leagues
OF the other navy yards, In view Of the fact
that the wages Of the workmen have been
reduced twenty per cent by order OF the Sec
rotary Of the Navy.
The following gentlemen were elected per-
manent officers OF the League President,
John l.. Hayghue; vice president, Richard
Emmons; corresponding secretary, James Il.
Sheet; treasurer, l.. Frost. The following
gentlemen were appointed as committee TO
correspond with the other leagues of the
country; Mcssrs. George Scott, VIM. Wright,
VIM. Boron, J. W. Thompson and John Z.
| Herrell.
It was announced that q number Of letters
have been received by the officers of the
| league from similar organizations, all sery-
Ing to show that the maynard workmen
throughout the country arc all actively
moving 10 attain the same end, viz; eight
hours days work for which full days
wages shall be paid. 49,.
Speeches were made by Messrs. Emmons,
Herrell and the president, Mr.. Hayghue,
after which the league adjourned.
CONDITION OF THE JAIL.-Warden Crockcr
for some time past has been adding many
the security and convenience Of the prisoners
as well as the sanitary condition of the
building. The waste space Of ground In the
rear OF the old frame building formerly used
as hospital, has been ploughed up and con
verted into vegetable garden, and a sub
stantial paved gutter has been laid TO drain
the premises. For the convenience OF prisoners
large trough has been erected near the
pump In the rear yard, where the inmates
ara anahlaI 10 ,.tsAA.,t ia.
each other. In the womcn's apartment cement
floors have been laid, thus rendering the
rooms dry aud pleasant, and the building 10
being thoroughly ventilated, as far as the
miserable structure will admit of. Strong
bolts and locks have also been attached 10
many OF the cells and rooms, and every pre-
caution Is now being used for the safe keep
Ing OF prisoners, the officers making the
round OF the cells and rooms every hour
during the night. The food is Of the most
nutritious description, and the quality of the
most acceptable character. The prisoners
express much satisfaction with the warden,
whose discipline Is rigid, but by no means
harsh.
At two o'clock yesterday afternoon reli-
gious service was held ut the Jail, under the
auspices Of Mr.. w. G. Flnney, and the cxer-
clses were ofthe usual Interesting character,
all the prisoners participating In prayer and
singing,
The effect of these Sunday meetings is
already becoming quite perceptible In the
conduct and morals of many Of those con-
fined within the walls Of the Jail, as their
eagerness for tracts and other religious
works attest.
DODGE TO AVOID BOARD BnL.-An Of
hce-seeker, unfortunate In his application,
and unable to liquidate his little bill at his
N ID lNaFF LV.s L.
baggage as well as himself from his Quarters
without the usual Yua pro quo, and unable
to obtain his carpet-bag without responding
in the sum of $50 for two weeks board,
called at lawyers office on Four-and-a-
half street, very near DR.. Sunderland's
church, for relief. The aggrieyed party
stated his case to the lawyer, who, with be-
coming gravity and dignity, advised his
client that he was entitled to take his afore-
said carpet-bag without paying his board.
The applicant for a clerkship was delighted,
and with sparkling eyes authorized the at
torpey TO proceed at once. With q qulzical
expression the lawyer held out his hand for
his fee, stating 1t was s25 retainer, and sl5
In addition as clerks and marshal's fees for
bringing his action Of replevln, and that no
credit could be granted, and at the same
time asked the value Of the carpet-bag and
contents. The applicant stated the value at
~ for two shirts and So for other articles,
but suggested that he would draw q draft
upon his father for the fees and costs, and
would proceed with the suit to learn the
boardinR-house keepers In this city lesson
OF decency. The lawyer not relIshing the
Idea Of teaching upon credit, suggested that
his client should apply to the Mayor for en-.
ployment upon the street until such time as
he could pay his honest debts.
-
REGISTRATION IN THE SIXTH WARD.-Tbc
board commenced It's labors In the Sixth
ward at the corner Of Tenth and & streets,
at l2 O'Clock.
About | o'clock Mr.. Charles Prosperi,
born at West Point Academy, member OF
the Marine band, and of the United States
service for thlrty-slx years, but who resides
with his family outside the barracks, was
registered with the facts opposite his name,
for future decision as to his right to vote.
The same course was adopted with reference
TO Edward Cooper, hospital stewart at the
Marine barracks, been twenty years In Wash
lngton, and boards in private family; also,
Sergeant Thomas Jones, Marine barracks, |