The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-09
SHORT HOURS, GOOD WAGES
THE PANACEA FOa WORKING.
MEMS TROUBLES,
And 90 Wits Complexion Jay Gould
and All Like a TIM Will Have
To Come at lat.
To the Editors Of Tho Appeal. .

best king that ever governed England.
No other prince of that land was ever
so thoughtful about the happiness OF
the people. His rule was based upon
the wish to make them contented as
the surest way to make his kingdom
prosperous and powerful. He had
gone through years OF priyation and
hardship, and he knew what want and
poverty meant. But these taught him
lessons which benefited him and his
people too. Practical in everything,
hc divided his own time and that of
those officially connected with him in
the conductiOn of government into
three equal parts of the twenty-four
hours. Eight hours for work, eight
for recreation, instruction and inn
provement and eight ior rest eep.
That is as wise and healthy now rs it
was then Most men can do as much
work in eight hours as in ten, and do
il better. The two or three hours
gained over the present ten and
twelve hours system would en-
able many workman or clerk
to make his home more COM
Portable and teach his children
many things they never learn at
school Then again, as overproduc-
ton reduces the price of the things
overproduced, IL will invariably re-
duce the price of labor. That is q
second strong gument for the eight
hour plan. But the pay for work
done by workmen should be as much
considered as the pay Of those who
manage and direct affairs. No read
ing man can deny that the enormous
salaries paid by railroad companies to
their presidents, superintendents sec
retarles, treasurers, etc, are out of all
proportion 10 the wages paid 10 the
railroad workmen. Nor will IL be
denied that when the latter ask for an
advance Of wages, the amount is sol
dom large. Liberal wages make con-
tented workers. and produce good
work Most OF tie men engaged in
railroad shops and yards and in run
ming trains are educated TO tho
business by years OF hard toll
and such men cannot wish to
see any state OF things which
will throw them out OF employ
ment and bring want and suffering
TO their wives and children. They
will stand a great deal rather than
take any rash steps that may lead TO
results all good citizens must deplore.
Unfortunately, there are often many
workmen who have no families to
provide for, and these are generally
the first and loudest in organizing
trouble. Having no family ties, they
can leave a place whenever inclined
TO do so. Men with wives and chill
dren cannot easily do this. Often, too,
many idlers, not connected with any
business, are always ready 10
promote discord. Liberal wages
best insure content and quiet
and these are the best elements
OF prosperity. Liberal wages and
shorter time, and these Justify fur.
ther plea for the drivers of streetcars
In all other vocations men can seek
shelter from the storm. These must
brave it for fifteen or sixteen hours
per day, Sunday comes TO all others
with its sunshine and flowers, and tho
music OF birds, and the gladness which
fills the air with the thought of rest.
The horses, and mules, and cattle all
race around and kick up their heels -
all but the uoor street.car mules, that |
seem TO think n rest day gu hit TO
come now and then. They lOok sad. |
Strcet-car mules always look sad.
They have but one future before
them, and that is ever close behind
them in tie shape OF yell and a
whip. Why shouldn't they look sad
Who ever saw or heard one laugh
Well-yes; l did onle, and I'll tell
you about il when this Strike" is
ended. Twas the most ridiculous
mule pantomime l ever witnessed.
and makes me laugh now, though twas
periorme nine years ago. But can't
public opinion procure three or four
hour more, on Sunday, for these
street car drivers and their mulesR |
Perhaps IL might shorten sermons
but ministers have no idea how much |
more eloquent and interesting short !
sermons are than long ones. A min |
lister who, In this day of daily morning |
papers, thinks he can entertain an |
audience twenty minutes after tho |
music ceases, innocently supposes that
his congregation goes to church |
to listen 10 him rather than
TO the melodious strains of
music from choir and organ.
No prayer no praise, no supplication.
no alteration, no real worship of the
one great and good spirit like that
found in the "soul OF song" Brother
pulpit orators, don't you forget that.
Anybody can read fine sermons nv his
own tireside, The psalms of David.
though ancient, are equal to any mod.
ern pulpit discourse; and they do not
iead one away of into the tanyles of
evolution and future social reunions in
Heaven or-Sheol. Modern egotism
springs at such sprigs Of mistletoe, and
leaves all QUESTIONS of every day life
the duty Of man TO his Walker and to
his fellow man, Of charity and kind
ness and gentlene ss, the assumer OF all
true piety Rsihemes too far below pull
pit notice; and when the orators
end their sermons they have
only convinced their hearers
that they now know "a much OF
these topics "a they will when they
die-just nothing Shorter hous for
work, shorter prayers 1.-THE Lords has
seventy two wordsl and good pay for
street car drivers. Don't put these
upon a footing with negroes, who will
agree TO pull fodder in August for l
a day, hut will hunt shady fence
corner and get good nap from l to 4
O'Clock pm. Give wor men more
time for rest and improvement. The