The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-05
LABOR REFORM.

Since Mr.. y. Scott RuSsell'S programme
of Labor reform has been referred to, by
one of our local contemporaries, as piece
of infinite agrarianism, stalking through
q vista' of some sort or other, we have
thought it desirable to give our readers
synopsis of its general features, that they
may see what an inundation of human
folly threatens this orbicular institution of
ours, called the world" The pro-
gramme sets forth the following basis for
future legislation in Great Britain:
l. To rescue the families of our workmen from
the dismal lanes, crowded alleys, and unwhole-
some dwellings OF our towns, and plant them ont
in the clear, where in the middle of q garden, in
dctatched homestead, in wholesome air and
sunshine, they may live and grow up strong,
healthy, and pure under the influence of a we'll
ordered home Re-
q To enable this to be effectually carried ont,
there must be created a perfect organization for
the selfgoyernment of counties, towns, and vii
lagos, with powers for the acquisition and dispo-
sal of land for the common good.
3. The next condition of the well being of the
skilled workman Is, that days labor shall con-
sist of eight hours of honest work.
L. In addition to schools for elementary educa-
tion there shall be provided schools for practical
knowledge ahd technical skill in the midst of
their homesteads.
s. For the moral and physical well being of the
people, places of public recreation, knowledge,
and refinement, shall be organized as parts of
the public service p
Public markets shall be erected in every
town, for the sale of goods in small quaint les of
best quality, Mt wholesale price.
z. There shall be provided great extension of
the organization of the public service Ton the
model of the post-offlce) for the common good
1t should be borne in mind that this pro-
gramme, which has for its object the anne
Iteration of the condition of the working
men in London, and other densely popula-
ted portions of Great Britain, is submitted
to the consideration of government in
which the worlSngman has, practically,
no voice at the present time; but where
the entire legislation is virtually in the
hands of class and capital. The objects
aimed at are manifestly such as every true
statesman and philanthropist should desire,
in government having the welfare of its
subjects under the benefcent scrutiny of
legislation. But here, where workingmen
are part of the governing power,
and where their voice may be directly
heard in legislation, the programme of Mr..
Russell is less matter of public moment,
except so far as the voice of the laboring
classes may be potential in the direction of
reform. In England the laboring classes
have to demand concessions from the arsto-
cratic and monied classes; here they make
no such demands, but simply enforce their
rights as citizens. If they cannot enforce
them by appeals to the wisdom Of existing
political parties, they organize parties anew,
and WELD the ballot-box as the weapon of
reform. 1t is in this way that the relative
rights and duties of labor and capital are
adjusted in this country. Reform in Eng
land is attainable only by concessions of
right; here by the enforcement right at the
polls.