Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-04-26
THE EIGHT.H0UR LAW.
Letter from Senator Wilson 10 the Seer
tary Of War-Thr Intention OF Con.re,,


tary of Wharf.-The Intention OF Congress.
The letter addressed by Hon. Henry Wilson,
OF the United States Senate, TO Hon. John A.
Rawlins, Secretary OF War, 20 which REFER
ence was made IL saturday STAE, commences
as follows.
SENATE CHANEEE, April 20 I~Sg-Nror
GSa.rrI John 4. RascftEs, Necrstaryuf Uar-Dear
Sir am clearly OF the opinion that the con.
struction put by officers OF the Govern ment
upon the act constituting eight hours a days
work for all lnborers, workmen and me- hanics
employed by tie United States is a palpable
violation ~ the letter and spirit OF the act, of
the IntentiOns Il Congress, and OF the desires
OF the men Who petIfioned for its passage
The recent action of the House of Representa-
lives il the compietesi demonstration that the
action OF these Government officials is in di-
rect violation OF the VIII OF the representatives,
of the people. Could a vote of the Senate have
been Obtained, am confident that body would
have proved that Government Officers acted in
defiance OF the viii of Congress.
During the past taIrd OF Il CENTURY. The kours
OF labor Tor manual laDorers have been largely
diminished. Thirty years ago the hours Of
labor IN mInufacturIng establish hments, ma
Chine shops, aud n the various mechanical
Al dus'Ties, Were generally from twelve TO
thirteen hours day. L3boring mep, and per-
sons who realized the tact thar capital has us
dutes as well as its rights, sought 10 reduce
the hours Of labor 10 ten hours "A day. aud they
have been generally successful. 4 think there
cannot ne a doubt thai hours OF labor Tor prr-
SONS employed IN mecbr IA cal and nanugactur-
the third OF "A century Two hours perday. That
this reduction of the hours of labor has been
conducive 10 the pecunary, physical, mental,
moral, and social Improvement OF workIngmen
there can be no doubt
Many workIngmen. who realize the mems
ureleSs blessings noWInG frsm the reduction
Of the hours of labor already secured. demand
further reduction, so that eight hours shall
constitute a days work. Many other persons,
TOO. comprehending the wonderful improve e.
me- nts and Immense productive power Of ma.
cbinery, have come to believe thar labor, as
well as capital, should share in its benefits
day 5 work. Congress was NOT asked TO reduce
the pay in propOraon 10 the reduction of the
houTs, but 10 fix the number OF hours that
should make the days work. Congress was
asked 10 try an experiment: and Congress. be-
lieving that the Government could afford to
test the experiment, enacted the eight hour
law. BY tnat Law eight hours constitute q
days work. days work tina, commands a
days wages"
After reviewing al length the debate on the
bill IN the senate TO show the meaning Of the
act. he concludes as follows:
mo Senator suggested that the passage of
the pill red ucing he hours Of labors One.fiffh
reduced the wages OF labor one.fifth. On the
OF labor WI houl reducing the rates OF wages
Mr SheYman's amendment was intended to
reduce the rates OF wages in proportion 70 the
reduction Of time. = Xteen Senator'S voted for
Iy-one Sen ators voted against IL, 10 defeat the
accompaniment OF that purpose. The action
OF ome"rs Of the Government is in direct op.
posiuor TO the declarations OF Seaators, and in
opposi'ion 70 the vote of the Senate. The recant
action ot the House of Representatiye is an
rmpnauc declaration against the cuustru ctiou .
put upon the law. / think this Action Of the
House should be an admonitiou to those officers
10 revise tneir Opinions and invoke their orders.
Respectfully, yours, HHHRY WILSON.