Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-04-13


In the house Of representatives on Monday,
Mr.. Hoar introduced bill to provide for the
appointment of a commission on the subject of
wages and hours of labor, and the division of
profits between labor and capital in the United
States. The following is the text of the bill:
"Sect. l. There shall be appointed by the presi-
dent, by and with the advice and consent Of the
senate, commission Of three persons, who shall
hold Office for the period Of two years from the date
Of their appointment unless Their duties shall have
been sooner accomplished, who shall investigate the
subject of the wages and hours of labor, and of the
division Of the jont profits of labor and capital be-
tween the aborer and the capitalist, and the social
educational and sanitary condition of the aboring
classes Of the United States and how the same are
affected by existing laws regulating commerce, f.
Sect 2. Said commissioners shall receive salary
Of five thousand dollars each, shall be authorized to
employ clerk, and shall report the result of their
investigation to the president, to be by him trans
United 10 congress-"
The scope Of the proposed investigation, it
will be seen, is extensive, including all the ele
ments of what is vaguely called "the labor
question" This subject has been much dis
cussed in a superficial way. Demagogues have
found some aspects of it useful topics for their
harangues. Workingmen's conventions have
produced good deal of loose defamation and
some sound and practicable ideas, political and
social theorists have written about it, capital
lists have occasionally set forth their views of
some of its phases, and writer's of fiction have
presented with more or less skill and
Judgment, their varying conceptions of
the actual and ideal relations of labor
and capital. Most of what has been said and
written was the result of partial views of scanty
knowledge and temporary excitement. Very
little of it was founded upon mature and candid
consideration, with tolerably full knowledge
OF the facts that are necessary for the adequate
treatment OF subject so important. Those
facts indeed are not easily accessible. The labor
commission of this state has collected some of
them, but an inquiry of wider scope is needed
before the materials can be obtained for a
thorough consideration of the whole subject.
The Importance of full investigation of the
subjects bearing directly upon the labor ques-
ton is increasing every day. large part of
the workingmen, whose brains as well as their
hands are active, are convinced that they have
grievances which ought to be redressed. Even
If their wrongs are imaginary they are entitled
to be heard respectfully. They form majority
of the American people, and no party or class
NN- "hSAA " ANdb tnSul VIII COultmpE OF as
sumo that their complaints are without founda-
ton. 1t is probable that some of the demands
put forward in their name by some who
profess to represent them, are not
really theirs, and are in themselves unreason-
abe; but 1t is equally probable that others de-
SeNe serous attention. In government like
oufs''" whose fundamental principle is that all
men are equal in civil and political rights. the
interests OF the laboring classes are of Tho
greatest importance, and any policy which 40
grades or Expresses them, or tends to denriyo
them Of Opportunities which might be within
their reach is dangerous as well as wrong If
fhefe1Mxny such defect in our system, it is a
proper object Of national concern to expose il.
90 that the remedy may be found and applied
and it is equally desirable to be assured that nc
such defect exists, if that is true.
1t is not certain that the labors of the pro
posed commission would lead to any Legislation
by congress. If II were certain that they would
not, that need be no fatal objection to the ap
pointment of the commissioners. The question
70 be considered is, whether these able and in.
dustrious men, with the opportunities and the
prestige which national appointment would
give them, could add anything val.
nanle to our stock Of knowledge on the
SUBJECT Of the condition and wants of the
aoorine classes. there is any prospect
oil tnis, and it can hardly be doubted the
greatest possible expenseof the proposed com.
mission, thirty thousand dollars wopld No, no
700 much to pay for what wouldbeue cIoso -
numerous aud so useful. The labors ~ ,ha
commission would not be altooeft.- ho--..' !,
result u no more was accomplished than 70