Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-06-21

q given day all could cease work the en-
forcement OF q general demand required 1t.
In the last National Congress of the
FEDERATION OF TRADES,
il was resolved 70 take the enforcement OF
the eight bour law into our own hands, and
not look 10 politicians to enforce it. %
May lst, 1886, ell organized trades should
begin to work only eight hours, and ifneces-
ssry accept q corresponding reduction IN
pay, in the beginning. The increased De
mAnd for labor viii soon more than restore
the former sum
five are in earnest let US show it By
making the law q union measure and en-
forcing it among ourselves. We have been
fooled long enough, expecting politicians
to help us Let us demand OF President
Cleveland that he issue q proclamation en-
forcing the eight hour Law on the statute
books, on all public works. President
Grant did this in 1869 and 1917. ALI
honor to him for it Now, the first Demo
cratic President can increase the prestige OF
his administration by enforcing this law
with vigor and energy. The recognition Of
this Law on all public works will have q ten
dency TO make it the standard in private
contracts.
In England the trades unions never wait
for Parliament. They are always ahead of
the Government. They make the laws in
their trades societies and enforce them as
union rules. Years stterward the cumbrous
Government comes along and sets It's off.
cial seal to ther rules; to legsize them. In
the building trades they work only so hours
q week, and on Saturday they have a halt
holiday.
Once the idea of organizing agricultural
laborers was looked upol as chimerical.
Thirty years ago Joseph Arch found them
living in mud huts tied down to the land
ike serfs, working for q bare living, chill
dren growing up in Ignorance and helpless
poverty.
Through organization they have changed
all this. Now neat little cottages aye inhab-
tied by intelligent, well dressed families
The children are sent to school The hours
OF labor are regulated and the lsborers are
no longer virtually sold with the land, but
free to go where they desire, and now, with
Joseph Arch still at their head, they are
knocking at the door of Parliament for rec.
o~gnition and representation. In the next
Parliamentary election there will be over Q
dozen workingmen candidates placed in the
field by the unions, of which they ere trust
officials or members. This is the natural
political growth; from the industrial union
to q political union.
Mark then, that your trades are ccgsnized
and strengthened. Stop the downward ten
dency. Help the fair employer tc pay de-
cent wages, by .uphclding q general level
which ali m recognize and which protects
him at well as you. Never neglect your
Union tor something else, or think for q mo-
ment that your presence is not needed.
If your time is taken up by other socie-
ties, give them up and stick to your trade
society, because that tries to maintain
wages. Incorporate sick benefits and in
suranee in your union, and thus fssten to
yourselves by ~sel+interest those who do not
come from love of brotherhood.
Build up a treasury, for q union without
money is like an engine without steam.
Your money will always return in the shape
OF necessary benefits.
Join hands with other trades. None IS so
strong but what federation will strengthen.
Let your policy be pursued in a liberal
spirit. -
Animated BY these resolutions, growth
must come, and with growth comes power
and respect. Some day trades unions will
exercise a greater power than your Board of
Trade, Chambers Of Commerce, or Bar AS
~sociatons. 1t will be for the advancement
of Humanity, of civilization, of fraternity.
From their deep sleep the sons of toll are waking,
With firm resolve, the chains Of bondage breaking;
All barriers vanish, all obstacles must take flight
When faithful, earnest, resoluts men unite,