Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-08-03
TIE LABOR QUESTION.
The Congressional Committee Pursu-
Ing its Investigation OF the Sub
ject-MachinerS and CO-Opera-
tive Societies Discussed.

NEW YORK, August Pin the investiQa-
ton of the labor question, Mr.. Bartholomew
resumed his testimony, and IN speaking of
the labor bureau saia no politician should
be allowed to have anything to do with it.
He wanted to have no accumulation of capt.
tai in private hands, but under the control Of
the government for the benefit of the people.
In this state of society there would be no de-
sire among workingmen to accumulate, as
they would be sure of constant employment.
Still he would not pay one man as much
wages as another, but give each a salary or
wages equal to the amount and perfection of
his work.
The committee questioned Bartholomew
on the practical working Of his system of CO.
operative societies, but being unable to an
swer, was prevailed upon to retire. The rest
of the socialists, for considerables time,
watched Bartholomew hopeless meander-
ings with disgust. At last the muttering,
ass on the part of his comrades became so
loud that Bartholomee sat down.
Mr.. Isaac Bennett, a cigar maker, advo-
Gated the regulation of the use of machinery,
not its destruction. He wanted machinery
regulated to such an extent that it would not
cause enforced idleness of workmen. Mr..
Bennett also advocated cooperative socie
ties, but said the cigar-makers could not go
into this cooperative system at present, be-
cause they did not have the means.
Mr.. Hewitt, of Arkansas-Then you do
want capital?
The answer was in part that the reduction
Of the hours of labor to eight hours a day
would increase wages.
Mr.. Lloyd, Of Illinois-Then would not a
reduction OF days labor to six hours per
day still further increase wages?
To this there was no reply.
Mr.. Adoloh Doua', of the SocialistiC-L labor
party, next appeared and discussed the land
laws of England of an ancient date. He
maintained that the government ought to
provide land for every man and woman In
the United States. He claimed that the gov
eminent should enact law to prevent men
from being forced to labor longer than eight
hours day. and forbidding their engagement
in any occupation that would be injurious to
their health constitution. Some amuse-
ment was created, when, in answer to inqu-
ries as to the hours and regulations In
Krupp's factory, d uai intimated that he (R.
r. Krupp) was bankrupt. and that his money
was deposited In English banks in his wife's
name.
At the decentralization James Connally,
representing the national Greenback- Labor
party, ascribed the depression ia labor to the
bond system, saying that the people take
their money out of manufactures and invest
it in bonds, of which they obtain interest. He
denounced the railroad land grants, and
thought the government should have built
its own railroads. A great means, he de-
clared, to relieve the distress among the la
boring classes was for the government to
assist them to settle on the public lands, and
insure them support until they reaped the
first crop. He affirmed that all the laws of
congress were in favor of the large manufac-
turers and dealers, and tended to crush out
the middle and small classes. After hearing
a few other witnesses, whose views were SINH
lar to those given, the committee invited the
manufacturers, business men, etc, to give
their views.
Adjourned until to morrow.