New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-07
THE TESTIMONY.

what larger than at previous meetings. ana throngnou'
the proceedings gave expression 10 its feelings Dy e
CARNATIONS and applause.
George f. Mcneil OF the International Labor Union
was one of the best-natured witnesses that has APP
peared before the committee In reply to the question
Of the chairman Have you staded the causes Of tue
present depression - he said that he had and would
give them as briefly possible. think" ne contn-
ued that the system is the principal cause OF
depression"
Mr. Hewitt-You consider that the wage system and
the steam engine are contemporaneousi A.-Practi-
caIY 80.
Mr.. Rlce-This causes depression Of labori A.-This
causes the present form Of depression of labor
Mr. Hewitt-In 1872, did not the demand Tor all
classes Of goods exceed the supply A-No; don't
think So believe there is better system to be found
than the wage system think that every piece OF ina
ehinery ought compelled, when the patent IS gwen
to run only eight hours.
o-How many political economists do you think exist
to-day9 A-Mostly every member OF Congress-this
committee OF course himself when
be returns to his constituents, thorough political econ
Omlst
Mr. Hewtt-well If they ever return to Congress they
promptly deny that they such.
The next witness was Mr. Peck, who, during his
speech cleared large at the foot of the report
s table by his violent gesticulatiOns He claimed that
Is the Government lending millions OF dollars to
banks free of charge laws should be enacted whereby
system OF National finance would be established by
which any man could get from the Government $4,000
to build a house, on condition that he paid back the
amount gradually the Government holding mortgage
an his house until the whole amount paid.
o.-Where is the Government to get the money for
thisi A-They print IT, Of course
Mr. selleck was next examined. Abolish the United
States Senate" he said. Restrict the power OF Con-
rress and the President Issue S5S per capita. Allow
no one outsids the LABOR Bureau to employ aborers
Employ every healthy person Curtai the hours Of labor
to six hours"
Mr. Hewitt have no questions to ask. Al thought
sou would not"
Henry Kemp appeared next. he said that high pro
teetve tariff lowered the compensation Of labor; free
trade raised it. His ideas with regard TO machinery
we're different from those Of the other witnesses He
thought that machinery did not ilure any business or
trade any way.
AN oUTsPOKEN EMPLOYER.
Henry d. Rothschild, manufacturer Of clothing next
took the stand He thought that workingmcn were
themselves the OF their own suffering, because
when times were good and they were receiving bigh
wages Instead OF keeping part Of the money to support
themselves when they out Of work. they spent 1t all
IN things that did them no good lie said he believed
IN keeping men work ten hours day, since he had
noticed when they had less they spent the extra
Mn Uewitf-What DO they do with their extra time
when they work ten hoursI A.-Ihey nave 50 niue
time after working ten hours that they are glad to
go home. ,.,,,-,... .,os.o. -
busy tnat they won't have time Tor OF amnse
mentl A-Precisely Congress has no authority 70
employees Although in M busnessthere are pienty 81
asufcieney of skilled haT as. great deal depends on
the skill OF operator, and II men ana women Nouu
o."Ysu meaR 10 say TIA there is plenty of room at
Tbol,as Rock read petition from the sonecutters
IN which was stated the amount OF reduction IN wages
since $50 aud the number OF men unemployed Tbey
asked that works OF art In sJOne Imported ron ltay
Should taxed, and that an eighhonr law should be
Mr. Jacobs suggested that premium be paid to the
men manufacturing goods III tIis country. He also
thought that the Constitution should be AMENDED gen
erally r,...on ,,.,on-roD.irer said. "Mv priev
anoe Is that / being vicumized every week 10 the
amount Of IS per cent Of my wages oy me 1suiy Jaw
or individuals 20 mOnopoze any more land NAV lhty
can use. Every IN the country should nave as
much land as be can use without employing help No
man should have any more; -, ,,.. ,,,d ~ ,-esent
Mr. M Aewitt-Tnere Is no law Of that hiDa at present
o1Wbat iawf A-The law Of tho Almighty.
0-Where is that law reooTdedl Alt Is not re
corded am an interpreter OF tiat law. a., =, q,
Q-YOu an acknowledged interpreter OF the law OF
G0d9 A.-NOt an acknowledged one. -,
Q.-sappose a man with a large family owned large
farm aud suddenly the family was struck ny ilgntniug
wOuid you let ms farm 90 10 RUM A-CeFtaihy' II 10
20 oWnat do Won suggest as a remedyi A.-You can
Ordan By that We should nave money Without id
teres Lett pc paper Vm F so Of II oeisIs DO not
do taoir duly hang them; the .ause. q, depression
in his opinion were the war ana INC hgnI D9'm We
labor aud capital He TTge9 inc esIa9iisninSnt OF
be employed in the cities on tue public works should Os
50 empioyea luaastiai. noiSy SnU ld gef NC -1,r2
Mr. Wittigg suggested the reduction OF the hours OF
Sir. Jonas testified in the place OF George Winter
Vaose imperfect knowledge OF English untitled him for
witness. Mr.. Jonas recommended the eght-hour la"
fhe establishment OF Bureau Of Statistics education Of
children under fourteen years OF age. aud said was
glad when tie black slaves we're SET Iee now shoud
like TO see the abortion OF white slavery" 80 =.
Mr. Thomas lcolored said that all lie wanted was 70
be sent To the south or West, were nc cO1l1 hnd
home aud work. He, with many others, would be glad
ntte aft no Start win Most OF the time he was unable
to end work, aud would be glad Of any chance 70 sup
Mr wagner said he had some original suggestions to
make. Mr. Hewitt said that u they were oflgild ne
would be glad 10 hear Them otherwise ho dld not want
NJ " r.er-I suggest the adoption Of the eght-hour
law AID compulsory school edueati0n and think -
NJ. Mewtt-We nave heard al that over ana over
again, and snail be Obliged TO you you VIII step
Mr. MerwIn. who represented "his own individual
ies ana novel sugeestlons. He said: Parslmopy
cage OF but must not Ds carried 700 10" or ~
will BE- an evil In this country 10 - an evil . . ,
Dir. Hewftt-W0aid not men spend money II they had
c.-:racn tins parsmOny Is enforced do not spend
becausc they money. A-Ihey would not spend
earnings what they need M order 70 have earnings
Work What do they need ~ get work Demand ma Tor
men Commodities. You see the hrst IS the same as
the last. II arn wrong wish you would contradict
Sir Hewrhere : very good authority T.. FOR What What
cai aith the second The second is identical with the
thsfd
Tbs laughter at point caused Mr.. Mcrwn TO take
fresh start.
M Hawitt-Don't stop, Mr.. MeFWiu ridicule IL the
test Of truth Al would suggest the passing OF law
20 eOihp spend their money soon alter receiy-
ing It, This would prevent accumulation
When Mr. MerWlu took his seat be was heartily APP
plauded
West and said that money should be provided for send
lug them there.
SIR. Harlan representative OF Blue Ribbon tenn
Yoauce society," said that the great cause OF the depre
eOn WAS the drinking OF beer ana whiskey Like
Dlogenes nihe continued " looking for men-men