The Republican journal., 1869-05-27
FOOLISH ENACTMENT.

Shall we never see an end Of radical fol-
ly9 Its ridiculous and hampcring informed
ding with all the business Of the country
this is just now before the public in thc shape
of Grants proclamation in which he defines
the meaning of law OF Congress relative to
to the hours of u day work. The act, pass
ed June 25th, 1868, cnActs that eight hours
shall constitute days work for all workinrn
in the employ Of government. 1t says moth
ing about the rate Of pay for such a day
work. Two Attorneys General have decided
that the pay should be decreased pro rata with
the hours of labor, and it was accorlingl,
done.
Obviously the Supreme Court is the tribu-
nal to interpret the laws, in eases admitting
Of doubt But Grant, with the promptncss OF
his military training, and the graciousnes>
toward, his subjects Of the future Emperor
decides the matters by proclamation. We arc
in no wise disposed to find fault with an in
crease Of pay to the laboring man, or de-
crease of his hours Of toll but are the mil
lions outside the soft places in government
factories and navy yards to have no CORES
ponCing consideration
When the United States fixed the interest on
its Indebtedness at seven and three tcnths per
cent. it really made that the lowest rate of in
tcrcst everywhere in the country. In the reg
ulaton of supply and demand, it could not be
otherwise-for the needs of government had
not only absorbed all the floating capital OF
the country, but had gone abroad for that tC
| be drawn from Europe. The interest rate O
Congress was really made for the benefit o
the captalists-for It gave MIN the best secll
rity in the country, with exemption from tax
alton, and a rate of interest one and three
! tenths per cent. higher than fixed by the laws
of Maine.
! But when Congress undertook to legslatc
in appearance, torthe laboring man, it did 50 il
manner SO loose and uncertain that the Attor-
neys of two administrations decide that il con
ters no benefit al all-while Grant is oblige1
| to come to the rescue with military decree
| to give it any pth whatever. And the numbe1
that the measure benefits, if it benefits any
! is only one in ten thousand Of the workin Q
men of the country. In fact the whole move
is only Il very cheap elcctioneering dodge
The Portland Advertiser, a radical paper, will
| u good deal of common sense in its columns
has the following just remarks on this matter
| The passage of the act was a bold and Willu de
tiance of common sense and common prudence, TO
the sake Of strengthening the party lines. If tn,
government is to distrih:;ts aims it cannot for mo
ment be pretended that the most needy recipients
are to be found on the public works. This bount,
Is simply so much more public plundcr flung int
the arena to stimulate partisan passion; snatche,
for thus unworthy purpose from the taxpayers, VIII,
are struggling to redeem the national honor; use,
not merely for this indirect bribery, which is ruin
ing the country, but used in such way as to dis
turb the labormarket and seriously affect many bran
ches of business The President, acting we hope
upon his theory that the best way to expose a ba,
law is by faithfully executing it, has given effect
tins absurd and dangerous piece of legislation by hi
proclamation. Now let the people who are to ia,
the bounty be heard when they demand the repca
of the law. We want and had right to expect al
economical administration. 1t is not economical t,
pay wages for work which is not done. and we hay,
strong hopes that the committee of wavs and means
which has already been shamed out Of its propose,
profigate expenditure for summer travel, may b,
brought to see that it is time to give away the pub
| tic money to their constituents"