The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-25

fraught with as mighty power for good as any
history records may begin slowly, faulty 1T first,
but in spirit that shall prophecy its glory and
success,
The Rev. o. G. McCulloch was the last
speaker. He referred to the 2lst of next April
as the thirtieth anniversary of the eight-hour
system in Australia. Every year that day was
holiday; flags float and music is heard in joy
Gus celebration of the event 1t is TO Australia
what the 4th of July is to US. Ours
was release from British tyranny,
theirs the release of labor from the tyranny of
hours 1t was peaceful revolution. Shall the
lst OF May be such day with usl Sam Adams,
when ne heard the first gun fired at Lexington,
said, 1t is glorious morning. Shall we on the
first day of May be able to say the same9 Near
the Concord bridge is the statue of minute
man. Should there be some day in this city the
statue OF q workngman doffing cap and apron
In honor or the eight hours of labor2
mere are great questions connected with this
1t IS rot matter of sentiment, but one of eco
Monies. IL IS serious question: not so much to
the working men as to those whose interests
VIII DC auected, 1t is serious thing TO take 70
per PEI. cent. on et productive power, TO have ma
e.nery lie idle for two hours; and IL is serious
in the light of reduced wages But the spirit of
this discussion has been calm iudicious through
out Inere have been no violent demonstrations,
no severe contentious, no wild threats. Work
ing men have simply submitted their case
to court, and there left it. 1t
is not the spirit. of the employers
to antagonize the question. In Milwaukee the
other day brewer employing 1900 men gave
them eight hours in anticipation of the LIST of
May. Inc gentleman then spoke to some length
on the various phases of the demand, following
the line OF argument already set forth
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
AT the close of this address vote of thanks
was rendered William E. English for the free
use of the opera-house, after which Samuel
Lefingwel read the following resolutions, which
were adopted:
If we desire to enjoy the full blessings of life lib.
erty and the uninterrupted pursuit of happiness
sured us by the declaration of national independ
ence, 1t IS one among our imperative duties that
place check upon the unjust accumulation of vast
wealth. to be used in aggressveness with power for
evil and which, in the hands of great capitalists and
grasping corporations, if not checked will lead
to the pauperizaton and hopeless degradation of the
toiling masses.
We do not congregate together and discuss the ills
which aictourselves andellows as party of politics
and spois. Our objects higher and more noble.
In organizing educating and directing the power of
the industrial masses we make effort to unity and
crystalline sentiments and measures for the benefit of
the whole people. Our aims are to make industrial
and moral worth the true standard of individual and
national greatness to to the workers the full
enjoyment of the wealth they create; sufficient leisure
in which to develop their intellectual moral and social
faculties all of the benefits recreation and pleasure of
association to enable them to share in the gains and
honors OF advancing civilization.
or course we expect that the exercise of
reign rights as citizens will tend to peaceable sou
ton of the problems which confront us; but we are
not unmndful while exercising the right of suffrage
that most of the objects hope to attain only be
secured through legislation and that it is the duty of
all friendly to cause to assist in nominating and
supporting with their votes only such candidates as
Will pledge their support to the reforms ask for,
regardless of party connection or afhliation
Among the reforms which it is aim 20 establish,
are:
That the public lands be reserved for actual settlers
not for railroads and spectators.
The abolition of government contract system by
which the hands who do the work are robbed of the
profits of their labor.
That the government enforce q graduated tax upon
The establishment of postal banks and safe deposits
for small amounts.
That the importation of foreign labor under con-
tract be positively prohibited
direct issuance OF money by the government with
out the Intervention of banks
AT the hands of the State Legislature we ask the
passage of such laws as will
Prohibit the employment of children under fourteen
years OF age IN factories mines and workshops.
To prohibit the hiring out of convict labor or the
employment of convcts any kind of labor in com
petition with the free and honest mechanic the out
side of prison walls.
The adoption of such measures as will provide for
he health and safety OF those engaged in manufactur
ana Of ana ba as eua @ and for
received through lack of necessary safeguards
The enactment OF laws compelling corporations
firms and individuals to pay their employees weekly
lawful money mot store scrip for the labor of the
preceding week, and giving mechanics and laboring
men first lien upon the product of their labor to the
extent of their full wages
While we would make the foregoing demands upon
the national and State governments we will endeavor
to associate our own labor:
10 establish cooperative institutions such as will
tend to supersede the system by the
of aco-operative industrial system.
10 persuade employers TO agree to arbtrate all diff
ferences which may arise between them and their en-
ployes in order that the bonds of sympathy between
them may be strengthened, and that strikes may be
unnecessary.
We believe that the condition Of the working people
as class and the condition of society as whole
would be benefited by the reduction of the hours of
labor to eight giving the better oppor
tunites for education and for physical and mental i'm
provement To reduce the hours of daily labor from
ten to eight will put at work those who are now vast
ing their time and wearing themselves out unprofta
bly, looking for work and it will insure steady employ
ment the whole year. instead of working by fits and
starts. as so many branches of industry are
now doing. To the extent that the drudgery
OF daily toll is reduced it will certainly BEN
emit the toller and to the extent that the
idle members of the community furnished en-
ployment will assuredy benefit society. By increas-
ing the opportunities for making an honest living it
will reduce the number of paupers and criminals,
and relieve society of the burden of their support by
making them sefsustaining. In this connection we
hereby heartily indorse the movement of the fedora
ton of trade and labor unions of the United States
and Canada at its late session in Washington d. c.
for the inauguration of the eight hour system the
coming LIST of May, and will use all honorable and
peaceaole means of cooperation to bring about gen.
era establishment of the system upon the day so gen.
orally agreed upon.
The Glee Club then gave farewell song and
adjournment followed.