The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-02
The Law Has Proved Its wisdom.

BY Hon. J. B. Weaver. Member Of Congress from
Iowa, and at One Time Candidate for the Presidency
on the Greenback- Labor Ticket.
81 am thorough believer in the eighthour
law. I have studied the question closely. and l
have come to the conclusion that eight hours
day is as much as an ordinary man ought to
work and that it is the duty of Congress and
the legislatures, and the several States. to pass
laws forbidding employers to require more than
that from their men. e man chooses to spend
more time in work, he, of course ought to have
the privilege of doing So but because one man out
Of hundred wants to work ten or twelve hours.
there is no reason why the other ninety mine
should be compelled to do the same, and those
who work extra hours ought to get extra pay.
By establishing the eighthour rule men would
be allowed to recuperate physically and men
tally. They would be given an opportunity to
enjoy the recreation that all men need and by
reducing the number of hours the number OF
men to be employed can be reduced, so that
there is less danger Of any one going without
work The test that has been made of the rule
in government employment iusti6es its extension
among private employers, and l believe in en-
couraging its adoption everywhere"
Believes Eight Hours To Be Beneficial.
BY Hon. Henry NJ Teller. United States Senator
from Colorado and Formerly Secretary Of the In
terror.
II believe in the eighthour law, and while
was Secretary of the Interior enforced it upon
the new Pension Office. which was then under
construction. It worked well, and. as far as
know, as much work was done as if the men had
been kept employed for ten hours daily. In my
own State of Colorado the great masses of labor
ers only work eight hours, and it is the case
there, as far as my observation has gone, that
they are benefited by the system of short
hours Of course there are some kinds OF labor
in which man can work longer than In others
without injury and with profit. In certain
kinds of employment man can work ten or
twelve hours without experiencing any bad re-
| suits therefrom while. on the other hand, there
are certain classes of employment in which
laborer can do as much work IN eight hours as
he can do in ten, and in which the last two or
three hours of his daily employment are al
most wasted by reason OF exhaustion. think
that taking the average Of all classes OF labor an
employer can get much value out OF eight
hours work as he can for longer time, and there
is nc question that an additional two hours of
rest, recreation and STUDY is to tie advantage OF
the laborer In some branches OF employ ment
TO shorten the hours of labor will increase the
cost of production. In others it will not.
think taking the average n this respect, as IN
the other, that it will be in favsc OF snort hours
and that the benefits to all concers eu are gssas
enough to justify the increased cost .. ptouuo-
ton. This certainly is SO in my own b. '
where eight hours is considered days work,
and my observation there teaches me that
great majority of the mechanics and laboring
classes spend their extra time pro6tably to them
selves and to the community. OF course there
are exceptions to all rules but ] believe that
there are not enough exceptions to this rule to
justify its adjustment On the other hand,
think it could be extended with benefit to ali con-
cerned.'
Worknien Want Ten Hours Work and Pay.
Hon thnv ~ I'D