Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-10-06

tba ntltbef Workmen nor employers WIZ
ready for IT. because the education when
must always precede intelligent action had
not been given to those most IN need OF u,
because no definite, business-llke plsn for
the Inauguration OF the eigbt-hour move
meDt bad been mapped out. In fact, no
preparations had been made TO put the
plan, II u can be called plan, into exeeu.
tion. These are the reasons why opposed
the movement on May 1st, and for these
same reasons do I still oppose 1t.
A reduction OF the hours OF labor Is a
necessity, and sooner or later must be bad,
but we must not forget that In many places
the ten-hour plan has not been adopted yet.
IL may do very well for an organization
which looks after the Interests OF but one
craft or calling 10 neglect those who stand
most in need Of help, but Knight OF La
Dor must never close his eyes to the wants
Of the humblest Of his fellow-creatures.
The very discussion OF the sudden intro.
duction Of the eight-hour plan injured
business, so much so that in many places
men were reduced TO half.time or thrown
out Of employ ment altogether. Millions Of
dollars worth OF work was left undone be-
cause OF the uncertainty in regard to taking
contracts or in making engagements to per-
form work. Never was il more clearly
demonstrated that "An injury 10 one IL
the concern Of all" than in the movement
] am speaking OF. The house-builder,
through uncertainty as to how many hours
Of labor his employ ees would work fof him,
made no contracts 10 erect buildings, and
the carpenter was thrown out OF employ
ment; the man who made the window.
glass; the man who made the nails-in
fact, every man or woman engaged in the
manufacture Of articles which 20 10 build or
furnish house-sunered through the at
tempt 10 enforce the eight-hOur system on
Nav 1St. The move was IN the right direc-
tiop. but the time and circumstances were
not suitable. Before the eight.hour plan
i, adopted. the knights OF Labor and the
tradc-unions OF America must lay aside
their IcalOusies and differences. come to-
ec,her. name day on which to put the plan
into execution. adopt the plan OF action,
which must be gradual and such a.
will not inhict injury upon either
employer o. workman. The plan
presented by Mr.. Norton, Of Chicago, to
the specisl session OF the General Assem-
bly at Cleveland IL good one In nearly
every particular, and il the wOrkiugmen's
organization and the Manufacturers as'
socatlons agree upon the putting into prac-
tic such q plan IT can be done without
isr or Fiction. No workingman need
strike, nor need business be unsettled.
Why should IL not be done? Either adopt
plan for the perfection OF this idea or
else place It 10 the hands OF the incoming
General Executive Board, with instructions
to perform the duty. II we do not do
either LET US strike the twenty-frst deCara-
tion from our preamble. and no longer pro-
claim TO the world that we are in favor OF
eight hours for a days labor.
THE MACHINE AND THE MAN.
Before shOrt.hOur system that will be
OF any benefit to mankind can be inaugu-
rated. the relation which the workman
lcars 10 the labOT-saving machine must I'M
dcrgo q radical change. Shorten the hours
OF labor under our present system and the
streets will not be empticd OF their idle
More machines will be erect
ed and more children called into ser
vice 10 feed them. The assertion that the
advocate oi short hours desires TO stop pro-
duction is false. 1t is to make production
gradual. healthy, and have II keep pace with
the wants OF the consumer, keeping all men
employed. so that idlcness will disappear
and the producer remain consumer 10 hi,
iullcst capacity. that wo desire a shortening
ot the hours OF labor. Visit our large ahd
small factories and YOU lind that the me.
chanic OF The past is but the feeder OF thr
machine 0f the present. We already hear
Of machines in course Of perfection which
will st The type and mould the cigar
|. ster than human hands can do toe work
and electricity will soon take the throttl"
lever from the hand OF the man who runs
the locomotive. The day will soon dawn
when these agencies will BE- doing their
work: and when that day does come The
mechanic. now 50 proud OF his calling, viii
.tard face to face with the alternative o'
iskiug fo9 charity or the adoption OF the
'aling Of the street scayenger. When that
LAY cones, Tie man who now seeks to ar
-ay labor against labor IN asserting that the |
80 a day man should not move in the |
,ame society circles with the man who !
works for 81 day" will either seek 10 |
,rowd the ei n day man out Of HI !
place or accept The crumbs Of charity !
n sustain life. History will rep'nt |
t,elf. and the fight for existence VIII BE- |
Naged with unrclcntin2 fury.
WHAT l. THE REMEDY;
The machine must become the slave Of |
he man. instead Of keeping the nun |
n attendance 0n and subordinate !
O the machine. \ plan OF CO.
,pcration through which the workman !
nav control the machine he operates mu.t !
me DAY supcTscde the present system. To /
properly map p0ut such plan requires more !
inc than have had or am likely 10 have |
II NY disposal. can only cooperate with |
,theYs in the work.
ClHGp-LAEOR.
The thirteenth article in our declaration |
II principles reads " The Prohibition, 10y |
aw, Of tie employment oi children under |
fifteen yeaIS OF ace in workshops, mines, |
nd factories" The end sought FOR IN car /
ing this declaration into effect is not that /
he child may live in idlenes,: is not that |
more adult, may be employed. It is th1t |
he child Of the poor man may be enabled [
o acquire an cducs+fon 10 equip him Tor |
he duties which will in future fail upon
lim A. man and citizen. We cannot afford
o pass this question by and lcgiSate on
one simple question Of trade discipline.
rhe question OF child.lahOr and educl-
ION is the most important that can come
leforc us now or at any other time. With |
IN education. all things are easy Of accom-
,lsbmtnt: without il hope Itself almost !
.ies. and liberty is farce.
In our organizations of labor, and II has
,cen SO from the beginning, we take UP |
be work of reform when the subject L.
dyanccd IN yearS-the new member mus
,e sixteen wears before we admit him. We
ttcrpt to drive from his mind the ial>c
Gcas gathered in from the workshops, or.
,ossibly, the strcct-cOrncr. His habits are
olmcd, and TIE work that should have
zen begun al seven years we take up n
weuty or later Oh in lie. To attempt to
cttlc 50 intricate q question aS the one Wr
re gIappling with, or 10 successfully sOlyr
he question, il a task 50 difficult that do
ot wonder that men drop out OF the rank
4 labor organizations discouraged and
orclesS. TO make the necessary pro.
rcss we must begin with the child,
nd see TO it that he has educI-
ion. II the principles of the Knis sht-
I Labor are right, and few men que,:io"
hem, we should teach them to the young
/ should be a part OF the duty OF ever,
assembly 10 ascertain the number OF chl
rcn WHO do not attend school in is yicin.
IS. learn what the causes are, and take
teps to have them attend school.
The sword may strike the shackles iron
he limbs Of the slave, but 1t is educatipH
nd organization that make OF him fire.
lan. He is still slave whose limbs alonr
ave been freed.
or what avail is it to say that we are h