The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-18
w0RKMEN's TROUBLES.
Tho Contemplated General strike-Feeiins
Among the Working CIasses-The Eight
Hour Law to be Riaidly Enforced.


TIE Contemplated General strike-FeeIins
Among the Workins CIasses-The Eight
Hour Law to be Riaidly Enforced.
The grievances OF the laboring classes still con-
Onue to form the subject OF considerable agitation
among those who believing they are wrongfully
oppressed, are evidently determined to adopt such
measures as will probably secure for them
the required redress. At the recent mass
meeting held at the Cooper lnsti-
tute some very practical speeches were
delivered and the general tone that pervaded the
assemblaee was such as to indicate an earnest re-
solve on the part OF the work ngmen OF the city to
leave nothing undone IN order 10 carry their object.
Particular stress was Land upon the fact that the
commissioners and others having control OF build
ipgs at present course OF erection the State
government had exacted more than eight hours for
days work, which acnon, 1t was commended, was
direct violation OF a State law, and demanded
PROMPT INTERFERENCE
The heads OF the department under which the
new Post ONCE is now being erected were also
arraigned in the resolutions for evadng the law In
demanding more than eight hours work from the
laDorers employed 1t Is unnecessary to enter at
length into all rne various complaints put forward
by the working -, classes, since they nave
their discriminating to enforce the Eight. t.
stake. Occasionally there seems to be an absence
of unanimlty az to the intended operations or the
workingmen, and, although meetings are held and
resolutions passed decunclatory OF petty tyranny
and oppression, feelings often akin to jealousy
well directed e1ort. AT nearly every mass meeting
held In the interest OF the working classes remarks
uttered rejecting upon the
LETHARGY AND WANT OF UNANIMITY
on the part oi workinRmen themselves The cum
prncipled capitalists" OF course come In for fair
ought to belong TO the toer is not unfrequenty pic
tured In glowing colors. But Notwithstanding all
the apparently vigorous displays which for years
have marked the actions OF various societies, there
vet remains the gloomy fact that sterling combina.
tons are few and far between The question OF
labor and capital Is always fruitful topic OF
debate among the more aspiring members
OF the association organized for self protec lon but
when iG comes to general meeting OF all the trades
the same Old hackneyed sentences are maze use Of,
to-wit:-.The worklngmen are themselves 10
to use It," Despite many drawbacks however, it
Is pretty plain that where the individual interest OF
all IS at stake SO far as this question or eight
II concerned, workingmen Will theoretically strive
TO secure such measures as will BRING about the
EQUITABLE CONDITION OF AFFAIRS
Tor which they have struggled so long, There may
difference OF opinion existing to the methods
adopted to secure the advantages sought but stren
made TO win tie battle. Aside from all other issues
the question OF eight hours work day seems TO be
the great aim and OBJECT OF all the workingmen's
associations throughout the country, and any in
ringement OF the law naturally creates feeling Of
anxiety and alarm. AT the meeting or The Working
mems Union held here last night the charges made
against the Capitol Commissioners at the mass
meeting were disclalmed and 1t was considered that
the speakers should have confined themselves TO
the eight hour question: So after ALL this really
the great point about which the working classes are
so much exercised. That they are bent upon taking
decided steps 10 carry out their plans for the
amelOration OF their condition is evident from the
TACT That o circular Is about to be issued by the
Union calling the trade societies of TINS
State to enforce the eight hour law.
GENERAL STRIKE,
It Is said, is contemplated and delegates are to be
sent TO convention to determine which OF the
associations VIII open the BALI that Is, provided
OF such disastrous movement would be 1t is difi-
cult 10 consider 1t Is earnestly hoped, however,
that meanwhile some action VIII be adopted that
Will finally put an end to q question winch has
given rise TO such incessant discussion ana vexa.
ton spIrit.