Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-05-20
The vHorkinxmcn,s Assembly.

AVoTE OF THANKS TO GEN GRANT FOR HIS ACTION
4 IN REFRRENCE TO THE EIGHT-H HOUR Law.
At tie Workingmens Assembly last night,
Mr.. g. Craney In the chair, and Mr.. E. L. Bar
ker secretary, the resolution offered at the last
| meeting by Mr.. E. w. oyster, rendering the
thanks OF the assembly to ex-Presdent Grant
| for his action in enforcing the eight hour law
When n IN the presidential chair was taken up.
and then offered a substitute, which recites the
etght-hour law approved June 25th, 1868, and
states that on the 10th day Of May, 1869, and
on the 18th day OF May, 1872, it having been
represented to President Grant that the law
| was not being strictly observed by officials Of
the general government, he issued two procla-
which, after reciting the purport OF the law,
| he directs that from and after this date
| no reduction shall be made In the wages paid
by the government by the day to such labor
ers. workmen, and mechanics on account Of
such reduction OF the hours of labor" The
second proclamation, issued the 18th day OF
congress aforesaid, and directs "all officers OF
the executive department Of the government
having charge OF the employment and payment
OF laborerS, workmen, or mechanics employed
by or On behalf OF the government Of the United
States to make no reduction In the wages paid
by the government by the day to such Iaborers,
duction OF the hours Of labors." And this assem-
bly,, desiring to show its appreciation of the
services OF President Grant, resolves that he
deserves, and is hereby rendered, the earnest
thanks Of the National Workingmens Assembly
Of the District OF Columbia for hts honest and
rigid enforcement OF the eight-hour law during
his presidential terms.
GEN. GRANT AND TIKI EIGHT HOUR LAW DIS.
CUSSED.
Mr.. oyster said he would not have introduced
this had 1t not been attempted to give credit at
former meeting to Mr.. n. 3. Mullett for carry
Ing that law into effect On the public works,
whereas, as matter OF fact he was compelled
by the proclamation OF the President to enforce
that law besides it Is matter OF history that
Mtlllptt recommended the rnDpq1 a in,
Two OF his annual reports.
Mr.. ClarksOn said he was opposed at this late
day to publicly passing resolutions of thanks to
any man for an official duty done seven or eight
years ago.
Mr.. Barker was in favor Of letting the world
know that the W0rkingmens Assembly does
government for his efforts to enforce the only
law ever specially enacted by Congress fer the
benefit OF the WOrkingmen. He was In favor of
letting the world know that the workingmen OF
this country would stand by their friends all the
time.
MIR. Boron thought the ex-PresIdent should
pc credited and commended for his action In
both approving the bin and afterwards enrorc-
ing the law. The assembly should not forget
that after it became a law 1t was ignored by
government officials, and that twas Ger. Grant
VINO, by public proclamation, said it was law
and should be carried out. 1t is still a laW-as
valid as any other on the statute books. and
viii yet be enforced. He favored the appoint
ment OF committee to wait upon the ATTORNEY
General and demand its recognition and en-
fOrcement.
Mr.. Alfred Thomas favored the resolution.
and said he knew personally that Gen. Grant
was In sympathy with workingmen-as he had
been before him as committeeman, and had
heard him express himself. They should adopt
the resolution.
Mr.. Campbell favored the adoption OF the res
olutton on the ground that they should be will
ing at all times to recognize their friends no
matter what political faith they profess.
MT. Mcdonald was opposed to introducing
political resolutions in the assembly, He
thought there was too much party sticking out
In 1t. MIR. Craney opposed it for the same rea-
son; and after further discussion the resolution
was adopted.
PRESIDENT HAYES. CONGRESS AND THE EIGHT
HOUR LAW.
Mr.. ClarkSon offered a resolution, which was
adopted 'that this assembly condemn the
action of President Hayes for falling to enforce
the eighthour law"
A resolution offered by Mr.. Craney was also
adopted, that "the delegates of the assembly do
hereby pledge themselves to use all the means
In their power to defeat the members of Con-
the next election"
resolution offered by Mr. Boron to walt
upon the encouragement In relation to the
eight hour law was laid over until the next
meeting.
A resolution by Mr.. j. T. Murray that from
and after this date no questions of political
nature Shall be introduced into nor discussed
py this assembly was adopted.