St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-24
THE EIGHT-HOUR LAW.
Address Before K. of L. Assembly 1898 by
Charles Z. Nebinger.


Address Before K. of L. Assembly 1898 by
Charles Z. Nebinger.
Master Workman, Officers and Brethren
This important question, the eight-hour law,
which has for so long time been under dis
cussion by the capitalists and laboring men
OF our country, is one of vital importance to
all present to-day, and to every laboring
man and woman throughout our broad land.
"Coming events cast their shadows before
them," and if we are 10 judge from the
present interest that is being manifested, the
feeling Of determination that pervades the
minds of workingme and the fact that or
ganized labor is beginning to be felt
throughout the slength and breadth
OF our land, and that its power
is recognized by every man who seeks to be
leader of men, then surely the day is not
far distant when the shrill whistles of our
factories, calling men and women to their
daily toll, will be heard an hour later each
morning and an hour earlier each evening.
Yet there is much work for us to do before
this grand result can be accomplished. We
must not say ''we have done our Duty until
there is recorded upon the statute books of
our national government and OF every state
clearly defined law compelling employers
to exact but eight hours as days work from
their employees. We must watch constantly
and work faithfully, grasp every opportunity
to further our cause, yet we must
exercise degree of prudence
that will command the respect
We are justly entitled to, and prevent US
making some false step that might prove dis
astrous to the grand cause for which we are
laboring.
Deeds of violence, rash acts, destruction of
property, and similar actions will never Sc
cure to US an eight-hour law, nor that full
enjoyment of life and happiness which we
are entitled to by divine laws, and by the
laws of nature, and hope before many years
We can say, by the laws of the great Ameri-
can government Our only hope of success
lies in the ballot-the intelligent exercise
of that franchise We all enjoy as American
citizens.
In this glorious land of free
dom, where manhood is supposed
TO be the standard OF excellence
and man is the only recognized sovereign,
We find that one class of men are endeavor-
ing to elevate themselves by depressing
others, simply because they have been placed
| in a position where they have the power to
make the laws, such as will benefit them and
ruin large majority of their constituents.
These are the capitalists legisating for them
selves and against us. And, brothers, we
have sent them there, we have sent our bit
| terest enemies 70 the halls of congress, to
the state legislatures. and to fill the execu-
tive offices throughout our whole land. We
have done this too long already and l sin
cerely trust that before We
are called upon to elect an
other set of representatives every laboring
| in fha Dtru XUiiI no cd in
assembly of Knights of Labor, and there
learn the true use Of the ballot, and how to
| cast i: that We may receive the most good
| from il.
have said we have sent our deadlest
enemies to ill the high Offices of trust, and
to legislate for US, and l shall now say We
! have done so through ignorance. The thou
sands of workingmen in St. Paul who are not
attached to regular labor assembly, and
who never have been, know but little or
nothing Of the great good that could be ac
| omplished if they would join US and stand
| firm to their duty
As one of the first steps toward securing
| the passage of an eight-hour law, l would
! suggest that each member Of this assembly
act as an agent or solicitor, and that they
bring their friends into this noble order and
| have their friends bring their friends. There
| is no good reason why every workingman in
st. Paul should not be connected with the
| Knights,,of Labor, and they can be brought here
| if we will work diligently, talk to them, teach
i them their duty as laDoring men. There are
thousands Of tradesmen and laborers right
here in 81. Paul who have never discussed
political economy and who have never heard
| it discussed. They never consider the posi-
bilities that are given us as freemen. They
| think only of voting when election day comes,
and then they vote simply as matter Of
form, or rather upon straight party princi-
! ples-thinkiug the country will take care of
| itself and that their only duty is TO vote and
| then look after their own personal affairs.
| This is great mistake, ana so long as ii
| prevails among our fellow-laborers, Just so
| long we must expect to spend all our time
| in the workshop-iway from home and fam
| ily-then barely earning sufficient wages to
keep hunger from the home. We must edu-
cate these men, and this can
only be done by bringing them
here, discussing poiticas economy
and the eight-hour law and deyisiug means
! by which it can be secured
! When we have enrolled all whom We can
under the grand banner of the Knights of
! Labor Of America, then is the time t. take
! decided action in the political campaigns, and
| here, brethren, is our only hope. We are
/ here as American citizens; We are to a man
/ law-abidng citizens and such are all free
men-free 10 vote as we please, free TO send
such mer to represent US as We choose
then why not send one of or own class, a
man who has suffered with us
/ and can sympathize with the
millions Of overworked men and women
who are losing health and life from excessive
work, long hours and kindred causes. We're
we living in land where rank and title were
| inherited, and where being born laborer
! you are doomed 10 die one, we should have
little hope OF accom- pishnC this or any other
good results But, thank God, we are not.
We are living in the greatest country in the
world, under the best form Of government
that ever existed, and the grandest feature of
our constitution and laws is that which brings
all men to one level, and opens the way to
the halls of congress to rich and poor, white
and black-all alike.
We each possess certain degree Of intel
iigencc, such as our respective avocatiOns
require, and If we must know the laws Of
the land and abide by them, assert that We
have jus. right to demand proper repre-
sentation in every legislative body in the
country that We may aid in framing these laws,
and share equally the rights Of citizenship.
II we want laws that will benefit workingmen
we must send wOrkingmeu 10 make them
and to advocate the interests Of workingmen.
History teaches Us that from the very found
atiou Of the world down 10 the present
day our greatest statesmen, philosophers
and scientists have sprung from the humble
classes. from men who have labOred hard
upon the farm or in the workshops, clearly
demonstrating the fact that physical exercise
and labor are absolutely necessary for the de-
velopment Of a sound, healthy mental eapac-
ity. Show me one man reared in full pos
session Of all the requirements n ecessarv 70