National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-07-05
ElGHT-H0UR DAY.
The Way the WOrkingmen's Assem-
bly, Celebrated II.
at Beok's Hali-speeohos and Roso-
lutions-Labor to be Emancipated by
the Reduction OF the Hours OF
Work - The Enforcement OF
tho Eight-Hou Law De-
manded, Sc, SC.


In accordance with a resolution of tho Work
ingmens Assembly u meeting Of workingmen
was held at Books Hall yesterday morning for
the purpose of celebrating tho Fourth as eight
hour day." in order to DO in unison with their
brethren in the leading cities Of the country,
who held mass meetings on this subject yester-
day. Mr.. ]. p. Hamilton was chosen chairman
and +. l.. Barker secretary. DR.. Alfred Thomas
presented the following preamble aud resolu.
lions:
Whereas history develops from the earliest times
Of which there lists any authentic record the por-
formanCe of the labor necessary TO sustain life has
been an occasion OF contention aud struggle in hui
Whereas the conflict he,wcen capital md labor,
which has SO seriously conficed with the progress
OF civilization in Europe, has reached our shores
aud
Whereas this conflict pregnant with somuch evil
and danger to the prosperity OF the people and per
pCtiatiOn of the principles OF liberty justice and
equality Is but the natural results OF tho grasping
aud ayarciOus power of the soullcss capitalist To
Use the bodily powers OF another person as a means
| Of administering ~ his own uses or pleasure; and
Whereas through the development Of genius and
the ingenuity of the human mind the power of
| steam rs applied TO machinery in the workshops of
| the world has demonstrated the fact that human
muscle Is unable to compete with labor saving ma
chincry, unless some radical change In the present
system of regulating the hours Of work is effected;
and
Whereas that while we have no disposition 10
greatly benefited by the introduction OF the ma.
chinery in every branch of industry, we cannot
close our eyes to the fact that the demand for hui
man labor is seriously decreasing in the depart.
/ monts Of industry whcrc machinery Is III general
| uSo Therefore DO II
! Re,1itd. That the first step toward the enamel.
patton Of labor Is reduction of the hours OF labor;
that the added leisure produced by the reduction
| OF The hours of labor Will operate upon natural
| causes that effect the habits aud customs of the
people, cnl0rging wants. stimulating ambition, de-
crossing dene,S, and increasing wages.
RysJ'ltf, That tins Assembly earnestly call upon
thu, workingmcn outside Of the city OF Washington
and the District Of Columbia who nre recognized
aN citizens capable OF cnacting laws for their own
Government To demand and insist upon their va.
| rious State Legislatures TO enact laws for the ole
walton. protection. aud advancement of the interest
Of labor IN common with hat Of capital.
ReSOlrsd, That The members of this Assembly are
! IN full sympathy with their fellow. workingmen
throughout The country In their efforts to bring
by which their condition may be bonchted, So
cialy, morally, and financially.
The resolutions were discussed at length by
Messrs. f. b. Robinson, +. q. Campbell, Will
lam Boron, and others, and finally adopted.
Mr.. q. w. Spicr addressed tho meeting on
Capital vs. Labor" claiming that there could
be no harmony between them. He asked aud
obtained leave to present tho following pream.
bic and resolutions as part of his argument {:
Whereas the Declaration of Independence says !;
1--WE hold these truth, 10 be self evident that all
men are creacc equal that they are endowed
by their Creator with certain inallenable rights
that among, these are life. liberty, and the
pursuit OF happiness that to secure these
rights governments are instituted among men, de-
irving their just powers fiom the consent of the
governed; that whenever any form of govern.
mCnt becomes destructive Of these ends It is the
right OF the people TO alter or abolish and to nsti-
tute new government. laying its foundation on
such principles, and organizing its powers in such
FORM as to them most likely shall effect their safety
and happiness and
Whereas 1t seems to us that these inallcnablc
rights-liberly the pursuit of happineSs-Nre al
ia lnp
ton Of the people of the United States are prncti
. cdlly deprived thereof by the system under which
society Is now organized which is imperfect amt
hostile 10 the general welfare, creating large mo
nopolicS, to the dctrimcnt OF the tOi!ing masses
who are forced IN tho competitive struggle TO reduc,
their standard Of life and submit 10 the tyranny o
: long hours of labor. Tho Introduction Of labor
= saving machinery which works at present for tn,
benett of a few nonopolists only has thrown thou
sands of willing hands out OF employment, Great
ing what was formerly unknown-the trAmps-ant
h. society did not hesitate TO brand our unforunat,
: iolOw'wOrkmen as criminals and send them to thl
prison. to be used in the shape of convict labor 4
carry dcpreSs ion and destruction into the ranks .
those who enjoy the precious Jewel of liberty. Sucl
state OF affairs acts As natural fIrco and has tn
+ tendency ~ bring about closer connection amOnj
! those most afflicted for their common protection
Therefore We, part OF the grand army of wages
+ workers adopt the following revolutions:
= RsSO!rCd, That the first step toward tho enamel
patton OF labor 10 reduction of the hours Of labor
y that we Therefore demand nm enforcement Of til
: eigiithuur law, and that we pledge ourselves, am
u do hereby declare IN emphatic and unmistukabl
q TERMS tnUl We VIII Use every CUDrt ana That W
"A will begin great National agitation for labor OF
q gGnlzalun, eight hours and higher wages and thu
% we shall never rest until the desired end has bee
U accomplished,
u RcsO!lcd, That the woTkingmen of Boston, Ner
York, Fall River, Patterson, Philadelphia, CinCu
natl 81. Louis, Chicago, san Francisco and numel
Gus other places, who join Us to-day in declarin
the National labor creed of eight hours shall col
slider this day rs the first step toward grand NJ
II tlonOl labor organization, under tho banner
eight hours.
c. At the conclusion of the reading Mr. Be
moved that the resolutions be adopted, as Q,
- pressiye Of the views of the meeting, aud upo
~ being put to a vote they were declared adopte
'r The meeting then adjourned.