The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-06-13

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from one trade TO another, until the
hosts number many thousands who have
resolved to stop work unless the hours
should be thus reduced. Rumors OF
threats and violence had been rife, not
only towards laborers who refused to
participate ii the strikes, but, in one in
stance, against employers and capitalists.
One man, who processes to speak for the
elght-hohr strikers, announces in the
columns OF a CITY paper that, rather than
give In to the ten hours, 1--WE would ha-
gard our lives and 10y their (the employ
ers') factories and houses in ashes" It
IS not at all probable that this ferooious
individual represents the spirit of his
associates, and the Executive Committee
OF the Eight-hour League repel all such
spirit and acts. The declared purpose
is by fair mains, in q general movement,
to bring such influence to bear upon le.
gislators as will induce them to consti-
tute eight hours the legal days work in
tho State of New York, as it is now in
the United States Government meohsni-
cal employments. There should be,
therefore, no need of the police of the
oity OF New York to repress disorder, rs
has been the case in few instances.
The contagion Of strikes has extended
to Philadelphia, where the stokers have
risen against those who control the gas
works OF that CITY, and, according to the
Philadelphia Press, have the sympathies
OF the entire community. The strike
originated from an order charging the
workmen for their tools-a straw whioh
apparently broke the camel's back. The
stokers now not only demand an increase
OF pny, but also shortening of the
hours OF labor, both Of which demands
are resisted. The chief engineer adver-
Uses Tor men, but does not appear to
have been very successful in obtaining
them. The Press observes: eve are
not disposed to follow the laboring peo-
pie into any of their wild or unjust The
ories, but we insist that they shall have
falr play, and particularly in the present
case. The demands of the strikers in
the gas works impress lis as being rea.
sonabie. The impositiona that they
have been subjected to have been brought
to light by the advent of darkness, and
chief among them is the levying of an
nual assessments for political purposes.
Here, then, is tho hydra of political
corruption making the trouble. The
''lovying of annual assessments" on
these men 'for political purposes, is
certainly an interesting fact, and would
seem sufficient to warrant a strike
against the politicians, at least. The
city, as described by the Press on Friday
night, must have presented an odd
slght-men carrying torches in the
streets to find their way and protect
themselves from assault, and the Press
pertinently asks "if there we're dozen
murders, burglaries, highway robberies,
etc., IN the city last night, who would be
responsible?" It is to be regretted that
any necessity should seem to exist for
such movements. While no one can
dispute that the laborer has the general
right to quit work when he pleases, pro-
vided there is no specifioNcontract pre-.
oludlng it, and that if labor don't look
out for itself no one else will do so for
1t, the community has rights which
ought to be respected. and its convent
ence, as illustrated in the results of the
gas strike, regarded. Labor is right in
seeking its own just advancement at all
times, but should move calmly and
gradually IN that direction. It should
assert itself with dignity, without violent
agencies and without menace to others
The New York Nation contends that the
hrst and most marked effect of the great
strike OF the workingmen will be re-.
tardation of the growth of the city, and
the argument is strengthened not only
by the lessons of the past, but also by
the present, as many capitalists will halt
indefinitely in their operations. The
warfare between capital and labor is one
which must end in compromise, and
among the propositions in this spirit is
one to amend the present and the com
ing evils by IN agreement between the
employers and employed, that ali me.
ohanical labor shall be paid by piece
wages. If, 30 far as the reduction of
the hours of labor is concerned, the
time which is deducted shall be applied
for moral and intellectual culture, the
discharge of domestic duties, and to the
society Of the home circle, much addi-
tional happiness may result to opera.
tives; but if it is not thus applied, it will
certainly be waste to individuals, as
we'll as the community at large. Time
for rational development every mortal is
entitled to. and certainly if ali mankiud,
who are able to labor, shall give eight
hours to industry daily. the necessary
worlds work in all departments can be
fully done. But it is not possible to re-
duce things to this nice average. There