The Labor enquirer., 1885-01-24
THE LDarsLAruan.
A CrininAl BiIl which Makes These In-
tretluced by CARPENTER sesm Tame.
Other Labor Matters.

that our present one was rather slow
about getting down to business, but when
it is understood that all bills are referred
to committees, aud that these commit
tees meet after the adjournment Of each
house and sometimes prolong their ses-
sions until 10 or II o'clock in the eve
ming, it will be seen that some of the
members, at least, are working as hard
as it is possible for men to work, even if
| it does net amount to much. Since
our last report no new measures have
been introduced in the senate in which
we are directly interested. Senate bills
Nos. 8. "a, 20 and the notorious 33 were
all referred to the Judiciary committee.
Senate bill No. Is, by Senator Carpen-
ter, has been discovered to be snake in
the grass. 1t is entitled "An act pre-
venting and furnishing combinations to
raise, reduce or fix prices of commodities
and railroad rates." No workingman
would for moment think that there
could be anything in bill with such a
little detrimental to his interests
It is very doubtful if such q law can
effect corporations and companies who
form their pools outside of this state.
Even If it did, they could easily defeat
it upon trifling teehnicalities. We then
must read between the lines to find its
real intention. The actual operation Of
such law would be as if it was framed
to read as follows: -. +
Be it enacted by the general assembly
of the state of Colorado-Any person or
persons that shall be party to, inter
ested in, or connected with any combi-
nation, alliance, association or pool for
the purpose of raising, reducing or fix
ing the price, value or rate ofany. article
or articles, or service rendered or to be
rendered, shall be deemed guilty of
misdemeanor, and be fined not less than
500 nor more than $1,000.
This bill was referred to the commit
tee on interpretations. H
All the house bills relating to the ex,
emptions of wages from garnishment
have been referred to the judiciary COM
mittee of the house. 1t is believed that
they will frame new bill that will be
satisfactory to all. House bill No. %, by
Mr.. Dormer, has been referred to the
committee on penitentiary. Itprohiblts
convict contract labor. The legislative
committee of the Trades Assembly is
preparing facts to prove that it will bea
benefit to the state to have such law
enacted. %
House bill No. 1876, by Mr.. Ferguson,
makes eight hours legal days work In
all state employment for laborers and
mechanics, and Furnishes by fine any
superintendent or foreman who violates
any of its provisions unless absolutely
necessary.
House bill No. 137, by Mr.. Cafstarphen,
regulates the employment of children.
The employment of children under ten
years of age is prohibited. Children be-
tween the ages of ten and fifteen must
attend school fourteen weeks in each
year, and no child under fifteen shall be
employed longer than six hours in each
day.
House bill No. 1853, by Mr.. Bucklin,
establishes bureau of labor statistics.
1t is modelled after the California law,
which has been approved of by the labor
organizations of that state.
House bill, No. 7s, by Mr.. O'Driscoll,
to incorporate cooperative associations,
has been read the second time and refer
red to the judiciary committee.
House bill No. 1874, by MIR. Carstar-
phen is "holy terror Senator Car
penters bills Nos. Is and 93 are mild in
comparison with this; although intro
duced by Mr.. Carstarphen,r he says he
NAV not be able to support its pro-
visions because he is a friend to the
laboring classes, and will support no
measure antagonistic. to their interests.
The bill is in the hands of the printer,
so it cannot be given in full, but it is
substantially as follows:
A bill for an act to protect p 5rsons and
property in cases of strikes and conflicts
between employer and employed.
Be it enacted by the general assembly
of the state of Colorado-Tnat it shall
be unlawful for any person or persons to
directly or indirectly impede, prevent or
interfere with any other person or per-
sons by means of threats, menaces, acts
of violence, or by words or conduct cal
culsted or designed TO inspire fear from
freely contracting to perform and enter
upon and peaceably continuing in any
lawful work, service, business, eccupa-
ton, duty or employment whatever.
Whenever any person or persons shall
voluntarily quit the services or employ
ment of any person, corporation or com
| pany and shall engage in what is known
a. a strike" or shall be dismissed from
the service by his or their employer, in
eyerv such case it shall be the duty of
the said person or persons who may so
quit or be discharged to vacate and de-
part from the property and premises of
his or their former employer within
twenty.four hours after so quitting or