National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-17
EIGHT HOURS A DAY.
THE RIGHTS OF THE LABoRING MEN.
Visiting the Secretary Of the Navy-The Points Pre-
scented by Delegation-What Was saba
Visit To De Made to the Pres
ident To-day.

A delegation representing the Govern
ment employees in the navy yards of the country
visited the Navy Department yesterday for the
purpose of demanding of Secretary Hunt the en-
forcement of the eight-hour law. The delegation
was headed by Mr. S. C. Hunt of the
Boston navyyard, and Mr. Mills, sec
rotary of the Eight Hour League. Ac-
companying these gentlemen were ]. W.
Davis, League Island yard; James Hunt. Brooklyn
yard, and Messrs. Emmons, Hardester, Bates, Ben
nett, and Hall, of the Washington yard. Repre-
sentadves Bingham, of Pennsylvania, and Dezen-
dorf, of Virginia; General 0'Beirne of this city,
and the representative of THE REPUBLICAN ac-
companied the delegation
The object was to ask of Secretary Hunt the re-
vocation of the executive order issued in 1877 and
1878 by Secretary Thompson, requiring navy yard
employees to work ten hours per day from March
to september, and eight hours the balance of the
year. Mr.. Dezendurf read the law and the two
proclamations of President Grant, and claimed
that Thompsons order was in direct violation ofthe
law IN spirit. letter, and intent The Secretary in
quired as to the of Martin, decided adversely
by the Supreme Court, which delegates Mills
Hunt, and EmmOns denied bore against
the law and the mems claim for its
benefits. Mr.. Hunt claimed that Martin was
working under a special arrangement, and was
told he would have to work twelve hour day
Besides, his pay was increased He sued in the
Court OF Claims Secretary Hunt being then one of
the judges and obtained verdict giving him over
500. He commenced second suit for over 81 ,OO0
gained it in the Court of Claims, and
was non-suited by the Supreme Court,
which held he had no case, because the law
did not apply and because he had already sued
once. 1t was argued that the law was plain. Presi
dent Grant had twice declared eight hours legal
and hod haan ,hraly
eight years. Congress had three times affirmed
such was the intent and the men were entitled to
its benefits. The direct request of the y-yard
delegates was for the issuing of an order before
Monday next, so that the rule now existing would
continue and eight hours remain in force. Con-
gresham Bingham made an earnest appeal to the
Secretary, and Mr. Hunt of Boston. read the fol-
lowing letter, addressed to Mr. Blaine by Wendell
Phillips:
DEAR SIR: Ny friend. s c. Hunt, forwards YOU
herewith letter touching the eight hour law
We have funded ten or twelve years of hard work
III obtaining that legislation. 1t seems hard that
we should lose by false construction the benefits
gained with so much toll. Let me ask your favor
able consideration of the appeal.
"COngratulating the Nation on your accession to
the place you, and you alone these years ought to
WENDELL PHILLIPS"
Secretary Hunt, after listening to the statements
tiOns said:
The request you make is too sudden. You ask
me, with u stroke of my pen, before any examina-
ton has been made to undo the acts of my pre-
deceSSor in this matter. You wish me, between
this and Monday, to change the settled policy
Of four years. l cannot at such short no.
tee, cut off twenty per cent of the labor
provided for by current appropriations. 1 am a
minister of the law, always obedient to its de-
mands and bound to execute it in the most faith
tul manner. My sympathies are with labor. am
4 labor1ng man, though never combining 1t to
eight hours. L shall endeavor to do what is safe
wise, and necessary shall give this subject due
consideration. As soon as the present pressure is
over shall give this matter my attention can-
not order any change now ;" "''''
me uueiegates then retired, and, at a meeting |
held afterward resolved to wait upon the President
his morning. Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll will |
accompany the delegation and act as spokesman |
dr. Hunt, the Boston representative, has waited |
lpon Secretaries Window and Blaine, and received
from both that they are in hearty SYM
1athy with the workingmen, and hence is very |
lopeful that when the matter becomes question |
or Cabinet consideration that the verdict will be |
favorable to the cause of labor.
In this connection it may not be inappropriate to
tate that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is |
he only bureau under the Government where the |
,ight-hour law has been strictly adhered to. |
Under Colonel Irishs administration eight hours |
s considered legal days work. and all per diem |
employees working beyond that period are enti-
hey are engaged upon authorized work of the |