Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-09-23
ron RUNY ZOE sAFErY,

TOO BUSY FOE SAFETY.
The people Of the United States are
too busy and driving for their own
good; and by reason Of their strict at
tention to business demands they have
almost wholly neglected to give atten-
ton to questions that largely involve
their social we'll being. The working
classes particularly have had little time
to devote to anything outside their
means and methods Of gaining q liveli-
hood, and have been disposed to disre-
gard slight interferences made upon
their liberties, until now, they find
themselves surrounded, and in many
respects practically overpowered by
giant, greedy monopolies. The extreme
disposition Of the poorer classes OF
Americans to be too busy has succeeded
in effecting no little amount OF injury.
Therefore, the necessity Of securing
needed relaxation has become obvious.
How this shall be assured in an impor-
tant problem, because it concerns that
large class Of people who have made the
country prosperous and caused it to
flourish. The working people have
transformed w~ildernesses into thriving
towns and cities. They have estsb-
lished the great centres of commerce,
industry and agriculture, and brought a
great increase Of wealth to many citi-
zens. With that increase came the self
ish desire for further augmentation, un-
til continuous prosperity created among
capitalists such enormous wealth and
power that the rights Of the laborer
were rapidly disregarded. His wages
were reduced, and in many employ.
ments his hours of labor increased.
Twenty five years ago it was impossible
10 lind a workingman who was requir-
ed, in any industry aside from farming,
TO work more than ten hours a day
without extra compensation. Now, in
factories, on street car lines, on some
railroads and in many other occupa.
tions employees are compelled to work
from twelve to sixteen hours, as a days
work, for q pittance. If our people were
not disposed to be busy, and naturally
inclined to Industry they would not al
low themselves to be so imposed upon.
The man who works longer than ten
hours a day does so at the risk of grave
injury to his strength and health, and
cannot long endure such application i'll
any labOrious occupation. Such inces-
>ant toll is destructive To both mind and
body. There is no class of employees but
what of late years has suffered from the
ayarice of employers in imposing long
hours. Shorter hours as well as ade-
quate pay afforded the grounds for the
telegraphers' strike, and all classes OF
workingmen would be as much justified
ia demanding shorter hours, as they
have been in asking better wages.
Shorter hours would enable the work
mar to do better and more work because
he would not be fatigued and weary
with the long hours, as now. The en-
ployer would receive better workman
ship, and therefore could command bet
ter prices. The advantages conferred
would be mutual and even. The sub
iect Is one that deserves the earnest at
tention OF all classes Of toilers. II they
have been too busily employed in the
past to give attention to their own
wants and interests, the neglect should
| not be allowed to continue longer. This
disposition upon the part of the people
to be too busy has worked untold in
Jury. Through the indifference that has
| resulted therefrom capital has gained
| advantages over labor that it will take
long years to retrieve. Because the peo-
pie have been too busy, lazy, shiftless,
| scheming rascals have secured hold OF
the political machinery of the country,
in both parties, and contaminated the
political atmosphere. They have elected
bad men to office, have controlled party
for selfish, mercensry purposes and
created an unhealthy and dangerou:
POLITICAL sentiments All of this comes
of the people being 100 5tsy TO give thu
public questions in which they are vi
tally interested due consideration. FoI
these reasons, among many others, W
say, the people, the rank and file, ar,
too busy for safety.