St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-01-31
FROM SHOP AND MILL.
A Philosophers screed on the Benefits to
be Derived From an Eight
Hour Law.
Two Communications From Well-Known
WageWOrkers on the Attitude of
the Church.
AS to the 'sTfn Soldiers''-- From
the Many Shops In the
Mill City.
Justice Called For for the Street Car
Drivers--The Railroad Boys
--Notes.
THE EIGHT-HoUR QUESTION.

A Minneapolis Philosopher POINTS
Outthe Benefits 10 be Derived.
To the Editor of the Globe:
Col. Glenn has set a good example to the
manufacturers of this city by adopting the
eight-hour plan in his establishment before
being asked to do so. l account for this
promptness of Col Glenn by calling to mind
he fact that he rose from the ranks of la
Dor bv sheer force of merit as mechanic.
He knows how to feel for the toilers, be-
cause he has felt with them and as they do.
Let him have credit for this advance move
ment without one particle of docking on ac-
count of supposed desire to be mayor. rep
resentative in congress. governor or presi-
dent Let each mean insinuation be for
gotten.
And now about this ''eight-hour craze''-
for such it is in the opinion of a good many
worthy, sensible people. What do these
working factors of our comfortable, well-to-
do society demand?" why should they
grumble at working ten hours a day when
they get pay for it?"
Such questions are common-and for the
good reason that the laboring classes have
been too humble, too careless of their own
rights and happiness. In times past they
have been willing to work without looking
would be contented with food and raiment
for the body without one desire for that
mental and spiritual food which the active
mind Graves, and which would strengthen
it for work. Too many of them love money,
and if they could find themselves
gaining and increasing their little store
would be content to dig and pound while
growing less human and more stupid as old
age came creeping on. If this had not been
the case the insulting question: What
would they do with leisure if they had it?'
would not be hurled at them. But when
the
MORE GREEDY AND STUPID
of the tOllers who are willing to work with
their hands necessarily and allow their
minds to dwindle for want of use-when
even this millstope around the necks of in
telligent workmen begin to see that the
more time and effort they give to piling up
bricks, wheat and clothing the less they
get. and that instead of saving little each
year they are unable ito make both ends
meet" then this demand for shorter labor
day becomes possible and practical.
A large number of workingmen believe
that demand for labor should regulate the
supply of it. They argue, with good rea-
son, that idle men hanging around, ready
to rush in at lower prices, if necessary, are
a perpetual cause of anxiety and loss to
those who are at work. This is too plain
for comment. They know that if each of
these idle brothers had his job, their own sit
uations would be safer and more profitable.
They, therefore, sensbly advocate less
hours of labor for themselves and more for
the idlers, who must be fed in some way.
A large number of them know, more
over that what is good for the muny is
fnp ole haf
business men would be benefited by the
prosperity of the masses; and as they are
citizens and patriots this view of the sub
ject has fully as much weight with them as
any other class of people. They are as
capable. to say the least, of being moved
by public spirit, philanthropy and benevo-
.lence as the favored few. These men see
clearly that the greed which continually
tries to lower wages is opposed to the pub
lie good. and that the leaders in this cru
SADIE for cheap labor are the worst enemies
of the business man and the state. Their
convictions on this point are deep. and they
are Jealous and self-sacrificing in proper
ton.
A smaller number, perhaps but posi-
lively large and rapidly increasing number
have strong desires for time TO use in self
Improvement and for the comfort of theiI
families.
TO LEAVE HOME
an hour later and return TO it an hour
earlier would enable many an overworked
man to fix up around his home do the
chores and yet have time and strength to
study. That knowledge is power, .
many workmen are beginning to feel deeply,
and therefore to crave it, If this desire fol
mental power was half as strong and as eX-
tensive as it should be. the workingmen
would laugh at the efforts made to enslavt
them, or to make use of them as instru.
ments for over-stocking the markets and
thereby lowering the value of the product:
they create, and of the work by which they
are and must be hereafter created
This desire for knowledge, mental i'm
provement and family comfort, if stronl
enough, would render ridiculous all at
tempts to bind the great labor giant will
the tow strings of logic and force that ar,
now relied upon. And it is therefore
highly encouraging to find that the minds
of multitudeS of laborers are awakening Il
the great questions that pertain to the well
fare of their children and mankind. Ever,
business man, as a matter of self-inter
est should be with them and be ready Il
fall into line according to the example o
Col Glenn; and every well-wisher of peac
should rejoice to see the masses awakening
to the necessities of their position and t
the higher demands of their God-given ma
lures. A WELL-wIsHER.
Minneapolis, Jan. 80.