The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-10-19
THE SENATE COMMITTEE.

Yesterdays Session i'm Bosfon-The Conn
mittee TO go to Alabama Next.
Boston, Oct. 18.-Samnel D. Warren, pa
per manufacturer was the first witness before
the senate committee of labor and education
today. His workmen receive in wages % per
cent of the value of the finished product which
he regarded as their full share in consideration
of the value added by their labor to the raw
material. Corporations are rapidly learning
that their interests are best subserved by treat
lug their help literally.
Edward L. Davenport, composi.sr thought
help should be under3he charge of more kind
ly and sympathetic men. He thought Ameri-
can workingmen suffered from free immigra-
ton. Witness referred to the alleged practice
OF changing telsgrams in newspaper offices.
Here Senator Blair said it seemed the settled
purpose of the New York press by misrepresen-
tation and false reports to drive the committee
from that city. 1t seemed like coming into
different atmosphere since their arrival in
Boston.
Davenport denounced organized charities as
a humhug.
NJ H Enwright OF Boston, said the wages
of workingmen should be regulated according
to the value of barrel of flour; that laborers
should be protected as well as manufacturers;
that the tariff laws benefit only the manufac-
turers. He favored State boards of arbitra-
ton.
Dr. T. D. Stone of Fall River, spoke from
personal observation of the physical condition
of the working people of Fall River. Long
hours and hard work tend to make the opera
tive restless and discouraged. AS rule oper-
rtives purchase cheap qualities of food and
thus lose the elasticity and fibre of their mus.
Gle, and the quality and quantity should be in
creased. If within the scope of legislation to
alleviate the wants of the operatives it should
be done. 1t cannot be done by the present in
iernal political system.
Col. Carroll d. Wright continued: He said
the best thing legislature could do regarding
operatives would be to direct attention to the
tenement houses. There shoald be good build
ing laws, and local boards of health should not
be influenced bYspr6judice and political favor.
The factory has been great factor in politi-
oal history, and In this country really elevated
the laborer. The improvident nature of Massa-
chusets operatives cause much intemperance,
and it should be rule sWithou sobriety
there is no employment" The desired re-
forms could be brought about by the applica-
tion If the golden rule. Cooperation, he
thought, would fail to account for human ma
ture. Ten hours is all that should be demand
ed.
George G.. Richardson said that in the cotton
trade we could compete with other countries,
under free trade, only in the coarser goods it
could not be done in the finer fabrics.
Col. Lyman, treasurer of the Lowell Manu-
featuring Company, spoke of the causes of
strikes and their remedies.
Thomas O'Donnell, a Fall River operative,
painted the sad picture of life among the
poorer classes of operatives of that city and
said many were obliped 10 go without the
necessariss of life. He didn't have work half
Of the time and was obliged to pick up
living for his family.
EVENING SESSION.
E. G. Carrigan, principal of Boston High
School and member of the State Board of
Education, explained the methods of organiza.
tion observed in the Boston elementary eve
ing schools and evening high school.
Benjsmin B. Newell, president of the Boston
Typographical Union, urged the universal
adoption of arbitration in all variances of
opinion between employer and employee.
Ellis B. Mckenzie presented the views of
Herbert Spencer, John Stuart Mill, Professor
j. Evans and Ruskin on the currency question
The committee will probably close their
labors in Boston tomorrow night and early in
November they commence taking testimony at
Birmingham, Alabama.