The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-10

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THE SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAN.
There is a movement in New York
to repeal the half-holiday method
adopted last summer for the benefit OF
the toilers and overworked humanity.
1t is now urged that the plan should
be continued throughout the year. In-
novstious upon old customs generally
drift into fanaticism, and this wise
movement is likely 10 suffer by the
imprudence OF extremists. Saturday
half-holi6ays are we'll enough during
the sweltsring summer months when
heat prevents shopping and nearly
suspends active business. But such
suspension Of business during the
winter season, when the days are too
short to transact the active demands
OF business, the wisdom and success
of winter half-holidAys may well be
questioned. But the movement is adj
voc aled by the Herald. and the lead
ing ladies of New York are circulating
and signing the following petition:
We, the undersigned, hereby aEree with
each other and pledge ourselves, that,sO far as
possible, from and after the date hereof we
will abstain from making purchases NJ any
store in the city Of New York alter the hour
OF noon on each and every Saturday; and we
do hereby request the proprietors OF all
stores In said city TO close the same nj the
hour Of noon each Saturday. and grant their
employees the remainder Of each Saturday
after II o'clock noon as q half-hOliday. We
sincerely believe such concession will inure
to the benefit of employers as well as em-
ployes.
1t is said that the people cf the
United States have heretofore had
fewer holidays than any nation on
earth. But the danger is vibrating
from one extreme to another. La
Dor and employees in every branch
OF business are, no doubt, over
worked. The old idea OF the econ
omist that country, 10 be in a
healthy, prosperous condition, must
be great beehive, where all hands,
old and young, should work from
daylight 10 dark, has long since ex.
ploded. II has been shown that the
working people in countries where
many holidays are observed enjo y
life quite as we'll as those who are
kept at the tresd-mill every working
day in the year. Life is not worth
living without rest and enjoyment
ard that nation is weslthies
whose citizens have the mos
recreation and enjoyment. Saturday
balf-holiday is no modern inven
ton, but a revival Of a very ancien
custom which existed in the middle
ages when work was suspended aftel
the bell sounded the hour OF noon OF
Saturday, or on the eve OF a feast o.
holiday. The reformation swept away
many religious holidays. But human
nature could not support and endure
the Puritan tyranny which made Sun
day day Of funeral gloom, dreaded
by children and Of no benefit to thu
poor, since the needed recreation wa
forbidden, aud a deputation of Londol
apprentices waited on Parliament e
complain that religious finaticisn
had deprived them Of even one da,
for recreat on and enjoyment. Pailia
ment therefore set aside the seCon,
Tuesday in every month as
day OF rett and pleasure 70
apprentices and iourneymen, bu
the masters and employers foun
means to thwart the intention OF Pai
lament, which then passed an act d.
rectlng that all workshops and store
be closed on those days. By all mean
let us have as many days Of cessation
from labor as possible. There is n
danger OF excess in this respect in tn,
United States. Saturday hali.holi
days. during the summer months vii
no doubt become the prevailing Gus
tom Of the whole country. But it
adoption during the active white
season, when there is pressure o
business,w would seriously impede trad
and is therefore impracticable and will
not be demanded by the employee o
granted by the employer