The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1870-09-15
Laws for the Laboring Men.

Since the absurd and clumsy platform
of resolutions has been adopted and
promulgated by the Labor Congress at
CINCINNATI, the question has arisen in
many minds as to whether the needs and
requirements of the laboring men have
not been already SO fully and carefully
provided for that further legislation in
their behalf is almost impossible, and
therefore, separate party in their inter-
est quite unnecessary.
A homestead law has been in force for
a number of years, by means of which
any man can secure himself home with
out money, simply by selecting and llv-
ing upon the land eertain length OF
time, with the right to choose the same
from any lands remaining unsold any
where on the public domain.
By the laws Of most Of the States, the
homestead, and generous amount OF
household articles necessary for the sup
port of family, are exempt fom exc
cution, and thus guaranteed to him so
completely that they cannot be takeE
from him for debt, or for whatever cause
the debt may have been incurred.
By the laws Of large number OF the
States, free school, have been establish
ed, by means of which schoolhouse are
built and furnished, and competent
teachers employed and paid, so that the
laboring man can have his children edu-
Gated without cost
The price of labor, like the price of
anything else, i4egulated according to
the quantity and quality in the market.
By the law of supply and demand; but
the laborer has right to ask the highest
price that he can get, and to continue
with others to get higher price, and,
when the price has been agreed upon, the
laws already established will compel the
employer to pay the same.
II the laborer be mechanic or a skilled
artisan Of any kind, the laws alleady in
force give him lien for his pay upon
the house or the boat re has been build
ing, and this lien is allowed whether he
has labored on it personally, Or has fur
nished materials which cost him labor
elsewhere; thus securing his pay against
any contingency.
Journeymen and common laborers
have the same right to vote that other
people have, and there is nothing to
prevent them from holding any Office
from Constable to President, the same
as other men. Abraham Lincoln COM
menced life as a common laborsr, and
General Grant has labored with his
hands to earn his daily bread
Now, when the laws Of the land are so
liberal when the government gives a
homestead to the laoorer who will live
on it, and guarantees that home against
debts and the reverses Of fortune; edu-
Gates his children without any cost for
tuition; compels the employer to
promptly pay the price agreed upon, at
theitime specified; aud gives him an equal
chance in the race OF life. in every con-
ceivable way, it looks to US as if be
could have but little to complain of.
Up to 1860 there was race Of people
in our country doomed 20 perpetual la
Dor, denied Of all the rights and priv
ileges herein named, and twice as many
more but, thanks to the Republican
part, which has enacted the greater
share of the laws for the good OF the
lato rers, and which always aims to be
on the side Of liberty, justice, and impair
TALLY, the restrictions have been taken
from that race also, and the above named
rights and privileges are guaranteed to
all who labor