The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-02-02
Gossip Around Annapolis.

here OH Friday were but small por-
ton of those contemplating a visit to
the capitol. This short and some
what unsatisfactory hearing, how
eyer, convinced the committee two
facts; first, that the workingmen
hardly know what they want, and
secondly, the necessity of some legis-
lation to stop public clamor. Sena.
tor Moore and Delegate Wallace, who
stopped over to-day, are not so GER
tain but that the whole agitation is
superficial, with no room for labor
grievance whatever. Senator Moore
is willing, however, to give to work
ingmen every opportunity to explain
their positions. Delegate Wallace.
on the other hand, is impressed with
the belief that the whole question is
a colossal piece of buncOmbe started
in the last campaign for political eff
feet. This feeling is due largely to
the unsatisfactory nature ofthe inter-
view between the delegations and the
committee. AT this meeting, to an
inquiry made by Mr.. Wallace, the
spokesman of the delegation said dis
tinctly that they would be satisfied
to let well enough alone, that is 10
hours labor for both sexes, So far 81
it appears upon the surface the ouy
question among the cotton operati,fs
is whether it is possible to get zen
hours wages for eight hours labor. To
effect this they are ready and wiling
to suggest measures and aid ir the
passage of bill to that effect, ttgeth-
er with heavy penalties and long inn
prisonment TOR the hapless employer
who may violate the law. They see,
however the utter impossibility of
such thing and nov in effect all
they ask for is "to be let alone"
This is the conclusion to which Dele
gate Wallace has arrived.
Senators Hayes Moore and other
members of the committee who are
not as outspOken as some Others,
may, in their inner consciousness,
haye the same conviction, but yet
they will venture no opinion until
some of the other tradesmen have a
chance TO express themselves. Be-
sides the mill operators there are car
penters and a hundred and one other
crafts yet to hear from. When their
testimony is in and the case summed
up the opportunities for forming a
correct judgment will be greater. AS
it looks now this much is conceded
that the Governor has received very
black eye. With him it is matter
of life and death, politically. If out
of the nebul9 labor draws any glim-
mer of relief he will be hailed as a
Moses-sompwhat fantastic perhaps,
but yet a Moses, before whom Cor
man and his satellites must pale and
grow dim. If not, then the chances
are that the laws from the height
will still be handed down to the faith
full by German or some of his choos-
ing. The Governor realizes the stu
alton, but he may rest assured that
he will he given all the odds any
man in his position could wish. He
has started on his term with public
confidence and the majority in the
Assembly r. alizirg the fact that it
was elected by the labor plank in
their platform, will stick close to
him. There is no doubt, therefore,
as to the sentiment of the committee
IN this subject. 1t will help the Gov
ernor in any dilemma. The most
casual observer at the meeting on
Friday could not have LETT the room
without being convinced of this. In
fact, this is one of the reasons of COM
plant INDUCED in by the delegations,
while they wanted time to concen-
trate their ideas that they might give
a clear expression to their views, the
committee by interrogatories, unin-
tentionalIy subtle, drew them into a
compromising position upon the
eight-hOur law. After this had been
done the chairman put direct to them
the affirmative form of the question !:
"You say you are in favor of the
elght-hour low and you will advocate
its passage ?" while some in the del
egation dissented the spokesman said
yes. This is mentioned as an in
stance. There were frequent repeti-
tons, all of which went to show that
the committee, partial to the McLane
measure, We're not averse to drawing
the delegation into position posi-
bly, dangerous to their interest.
The Democratic Platform.
UNo civil service reform no tariff