The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-07-13
EIGHT HOURS,
Lecture by Gen. winn on his Hobby

From the san Francisco Examiner. July LIST
Irish American Hall, last night, was
crowded to hear General Winn lecture on
his eight hour system Of labor. The meet
ing was opened by song and piano music
by Professor Havell He kept the crowd
Of women and children in a good humor
until the speaker arrived, at a few minutes
after eight. On being introduced he apollo
gized for his absence few minutes after
the time, and said it was not until last
evening he was requested To lecture avery
short time i'll which to prepare to do Justice
to any subject but as he had been paid
such high compliment he could not refuse,
and selected for his subject the eight hour
system Of labor Said he
GREAT REFORM
is going ON among men who labor by the
day Reformation implies existing error,
something to be corrected. As physician
studies well the disease Of his patient be-
fore he gives medicine so must we under
stand any social error before we attempt to
apply remedy. We lay it down as fact
that our workmen labor too much for the
good Of society OF the prosperity and safety
Of the nation.
FIVE YEARS Ago
commenced one Of the most remarkable
changes in public opinion that was ever
known in the world. The workingmen,
after years Of thoughtless servitude, came
t. the front and made demands for reform
in their hours Of toll. They came together,
timidly at first but they gained confidence
in themselves as their number increased
They had faith in being able to improve
their condition. They had willingly for
feited independence of character by concili-
ating the master power and influence.
Journeymen readily sought their smiles,
and feared their frOwns, at the expense Of
manly pride. Some with more courage
than others, set themselves up as a target
for the shafts of ridicule, and met opposi-
tion with reasonable demands and forcible
arguments. Tradesmen assembled as best
they could, in small, cheap, dirty, and un-
wholesome rooms. But it served the pur-
pose o- consultation, and Pr, pared the
mind to receive intelligence and weigh it,
with a certainty Of increasing the store Of
knowledge. Their meetings sharpened
their understanding, they felt their infu-
ence working upon kindred minds, and
freely exercised their right to speak Of their
grievances and act together At first they
groped in the dark, waiting for some one u
help them-but no one came At length
self-reliance came to them, and soon then
efforts commanded respect Some drew
back from the task But others fought the
good fight, kept the faith. won the battle
and slept upon field Of victory
1t is not generally understood that
THE FIRST EFFECTIVE AGITArIoN
Of the eight hour system commenced in
this city, which on the Sd of June, 1867
eliminated in a grand procession of eight
thousand men. With banners flying anC
music playing. they marched the streets
and dared to risk facing the frowns D.
bosses the coming day. This was a sue
cess until the mOnopolisLs brought theil
power TO bear against them, and caused
thousands to come to this city and take tn,
places Of those they intended to discharge
The want Of proper organization prevented
counteraction. II would require money
and mems industry to advertise the trutl
as widely as falsehood had been circulated
This could not be done, and
THE EFFORT FAILED.
The change, however, was going on pub
lie opinion was being moulded into form b,
the hand of justice. The Mechanics Stat
Council was organized by the delegate
from the trades, with view to battlin,
with moneys strong arm That body de
manded legislation in favor Of the system
and in six months the Boards of Education
and Supervisors Of this city, the IegiuIAtur
of this State and the Congress Of the Unit
ed States had passed laws that al publ
works should be done ut eight hours De
day. The Legislature paased law that a
public work should Be done BY the day
The opposition have been evading the lem