The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-23
THE WORkMIN'S CONGRESS AT
PIRI9.

"
II will he remembered that the French
Chamber Of 'puties voted a subsidy for tho
pun ose Of sending mum or Of French aitis Us
to PHILADELPHIA in order To study the Centennial
show and tho social condition of the American
working people Tho members Of the dcleRa-
ton, however. were to be named by the Cham
bors Of Commerce; that is to say, by the repre-
sentatives Of capital. The L,bor Leagues pro-
tested against this action of the Government,
and before the onica nominees were desis-
mated, sent a body Of delegates at their own eN-
pense to the United States. II was upon the
return Of these delegates that the Congress OF
French workmen lately held in Paris was called.
The programme OF topics submitted for dis
cussion covered the whole ground Of the work.
mems rights and duties in his social relations,
embracing. for instance, the status OF female
labor. OF apprenticeship and technical instruc-
ton, the liberty Of cooperation and reunion,
and the necessity Of direct parliamentary repre-
sentation for the proletarat. We may say in
general, that while some time was undoubtedly
wasted, tho earlier sessions Of tue Congress
were fruitful Of Information.
The opening report read by the secretary con-
tains a sentence Of much significance. "1t was
intended" we are told. "that this reunion
should be exclusively composed OF workingmen
and the rule has been vigorously applied In
order to Danish from our discussions those un-
substantial promises and mpracticable coun-
sells Of which the we'll melning persons who
fancy they have mission to guide us are accus-
tom d TO he so lavish" These words explain tho
constitution and the attitude Of the Congress.
Among the addresses which folio ed this report
one OF the most striking was made 10y Mile.
Rlout, representing the sewing girls OF Paris
and she made 1t plain that the prices paid for
fI.tt al
and privation. Thus for a dozen shirt bodies
which cannot be made in less than two days,
the workwoman receives but sixty cents for a
dozen pair Of drawers, which require three days.
only forty-eight cents. In other words, the
earnings of sewiny girls In Paris range from 1f-
teen to thirty cents a dy. 1t appears that the
competition OF untaxed religious communities.
which turn to account the labor Of children COM
mttcd to their charge, Is in no small degree ac-
count.hle for this depreciation of wages. One
Of the measures subsequently recommended by
the Congress wa the formation Of a Woman's
Protective League for the purposes Of concerto
action and the enforcement OF amore remunera-
tive tarG. 1t was also thought reas enable to ask
for such legislation as shoull subject those
charitable aud religious societies, which engage
III handicrafts, to prop0ttionato share of the
public burdens.
1t Is well known that French workmen labor
under peculiar disabilities on account of being
denied the right OF meeting and combination.
The law Of 1871, which ueprvcs them of this
privilege. was yehemeutly assailed In the Con-
gre,s There is no DOUBT that tie prohibition
OF association and reunion, deriving operatives
OF their sole weapon. ~ essentially Incompatible
withindustiial ~ ogrcss, and a repeal OF the on
| pres.ive statute Is now advocated by candid
men Of all parties. 1t Is true that during the
J. Ia Ia las rerpfygd 81 isf
/ application, and that the Government has occa-
/ s!onslly acq uiesced in the foundation OF trades
unions. But an Institution based on tolerance
l. not likely to acquire AN adequate DEVELOPMENT.
and. moreover. tue French workman IS justiled
in refusing TO accept a. favor whit he regards
rs a primary right. lad the / tc Congress con-
| fined itself to cl.iming the liberty Of associa-
ton, it would have provoked little opposition.
bat the wide powers and functions with VIII ch
some Of the spe lkers would eniJw industrial
leagues may suggest a design Of making them a
political engine.
There was report on the present system OF
| appreuticcshin IN France. whose abuses were
signazed by NJ Cnatei-nier one of the dele
rates fr m Paris. lie proposed As the only prdc-
ticable remedy to invest committee OF artisans
| with the power Of al,ering the prehent form Of
contract, OF exercising supervision over the ap
prentice and OF rescndin the engagement In
case the master employed the services OF his
pupils for other purposes than the acquisition
Of given trade.
More int. resting on general grounds was
the discussion. which OCCUPIED tue sixth
session OF the Congress. ia regard to the
representation OF the working class in the
national legislature. NJ Prost delegate
from Dilon, re commended that moro intimate
dependence on their constituencies should be
exacted Of Deputies to the Chamber, denounc ed
several legislators VINO han broken fai.h with
the peoplf. amt wa' Of opinion that no one not
engaged IN manual labor could safely be ac
ceuted as candidate. NJ. Chahert, one Of the
delegates from Paris, and lately nominated by
his felow-worAmen for the Chamber Of Depu
ties, declared that politics. properly so called
ought 10 longer 10 occupy the parliament who's
business was t. enlbody in law the iatere-ts %
the numerical majority lie affirmed that witt
concerted action the artisan c,ass was alread,
IN a position 10 return strong mino ity to The
Chamber. lhls repr sentation might. IN MI
judgment. he transformed into N jority AFT
the abrosAiion Of tue law concerning the domi
Gle OF voters, provided n close and loyal uniOl
were III -ciei VITA the agricultural tborer.
Some OF the propositions developed by thes
speakers may nptcommeud themselves TO every
body. But 80 one can fdll to be impressed wit
tue degree OF knowledge and discretion, @
clmue,s and dignity and even acquAlntanc
with parliamentary usaees, exhibited by thi
assembly Of arts 'us. The proceedings Of IN
, / Nufkinsmen's Congress-tho first ever held d
FrAnce-hrve been respectfully studied by til
} most autl oritaiiyc organs OF l. rs opinion. IN
, delegates totho philldcinhiI Exposition carrie
, home the idea Of n puoic meeting. and ~ t
perhaps, they have the germ OF all that Is healtl
I, ful and progressive in our institutions.
Wanted.
: from ne $ rang led Republican.