National Republican., 1878-05-10

would cause q reduction OF wages, the great
majority held that there would be no rcduc.
tion Of wages. IL was argued, also, that the
bill should pass on the ground that the devel-
opment OF the brain and muscle and intel
lectual power, by reason Of the reduction OF
the hours Of labor, would more than compen-
safe for any loss Of time.
Mr.. cox (N. " said tho Department
wanted an Interpretation of the law. and they
would enforce It as II was interpreted by Con-
gress. The proposition now pending would
vindicate the original purpose and intent of
the law Of 1868. By cutting off one-fifth of
the hours Of labor there would be an opportu-
nifty for the employment Of onc-fifth more
men, and Congress therefore could not perform
more bcneficent act than to pass this bill.
Mr.. BUTLER said that he had voted for
the original law when 1t was before Congress
and upon this theory. The question that was
then agitating the laboring classes OF the
country was whether eight hours was
not aS long rs men could work
attending machinery, and at the same
time keep up their health and spirits. That
cSpel iment could not be tried in private e5tab.
lishmcnts on account of competition. But the
Government could make the investigation,
and had in some instances experimental to
sec whether as much work could be done in
eight hours US in ten. The House has mover
called for the reports on these experiments.
They should be called for, aud he believed that
within slight percentage 1t would be shown
that as muchIwork had Ibet n done in eight hours
rs In ten.
Mr.. DUNNELL inquired what was the me-
ccssity OF this net If the law had been en-
forced.
Mr.. BUTLER said 1t had been enforced in
some eases, but not in all. He would keep tho
cight.hour law on the statute book, and would
insist upon its rigid enforcement. There was
too much disregard Of law. lie would not
only pass this bill, but would like TO impose a
penalty upon any officer who would not carry
out the law.
Mr.. BANKS said the reason why the bill
did not apply to all workmen was because we
have no Jurisdiction over private establish
ments But ii the law was enforced upon
Government work ii would soon affect all other
work In 1910 the President of the United
States, of his own voltion, and without any
act of Congress, Issued n proclamation declarin
ten hours days work in all Government
workshops, aud the example was speedily fol-
lowed and adopted by private establishments
II this eight-hOur law proves advantageous ia
the Government 1t will be followed out in pri.
vate employ. But the law must be enforced
We have heard much about the workmen and
laborers of the country disregarding law, and
We are setting most perncous example if we
| fail to insist upon the enforcement OF this act
When the law was passed 1t was never in
tended that tho reduction Of the hours OF labor
should affect the rates of wages, aud 1t was OF
the utmost Importance that the law should
either be enforced or repealed.
After further discussion the bill was passed
as amended.
The House then resumed, as tho regular or
der, consideration of the bill to regulate inter
State commerce.
Mr.. THOMPSON then spoke in favor of th'
bill.
Mr.. REAGAN again made his proposition
modifying it, however to bring the bill up ai
ter the morning hour, and, as modified, 1t wa
agreed to.
The rest of the morning hour was taken NJ
with reports from tho Committee oil Publ
| Lands.
Mr.. PATTERSON Coll, from that commit
| tee, reported back the Senate bill authorizing
citizens of Colorado, Nevada, aud other Ter
ritories to remove timber from the publ
lands iOr family and domestic purposes
| Passed.
The morning hour then expired.
On motion of Mr.. WRIGHT, Mr.. Pete
Cooper, of New York, was granted tho privi
lego OF u seat OH the floor.
Mr. LOCKWOOD rose to u personal cXplana
tion. In the Record Of yesterday he was re
corded MS not voting on the motion of the gen
tlenun from New York (Mr. WooD) to go int,
Committee of the Whole on Tuesday on TIL
tariff bill. The result was announced as 10
yeas to lOS nays He voted mo" distinctly o.
that proposition. lie was convinced that h
had so voted because gentlemen around hr
solicited him to change his vote to the atiirma
tive aud he steadily refused, because he be
icved that the country was tired and dis
turbcd with this discussion, and he believe
that It had better be stopped at once. lie dis
liked to appear in the position Of dodging an
vote 1t was not his characteristic to do S,
aud especially so on bill SO important as thi
The SPEAKER said the clerks at the dGs
informed him that they did not hear the gen
tlcman's response to his name.
Mr.. BEEBE confirmed Mr.. LOCKWOOD
statement that he had voted mo"
Mr.. LOCKWOOD said 1t was not his flul
il he was not heard. He usually spoke in
loud voice, aud gentlemen on the other sid
of the chamber heard him vote.
The SPEAKER said there WAS no doubt til
gentleman voted no." but he was not heard
Mr.. KELLEY made All able aud exhaustiv
speech in opposition to tho bill, showing hin
self u master of the subject.
Mr.. HARRIS tGa.) addressed tho commtte
, in advocacy OF the bill, arguing that it va
demanded by the best interests Of the cour
try; that it would reduce taxation aud rcliev
the people of distress.
Mr.. BURCHARD obtained the foor aud the
tho committee rose, and the House, at 4:35
M, adjourned.