Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-11-29
FOR EIGHT HOURS.
GREAT MASS MEETING OF ORGANIZED
WAGB-BARNKRS
At Whsslmsn's Hall, Last Nlght-Earnsst and
Eoqusn! Addresses BY Samuel Gompss and
P.T. McGuirs-A Big Crowd Listen
10 The Speeches.

street, and at an early hour the capacious
assembly room was filed with representa-
tives of Wheeling's various industries
Hon. Samuel Gompers. President OF the
National Federation Of Lsbor, end Mr. P.
j. Mcclure, Secretary Of the National Car
penter's Brotherhood, had been announced
as the speakers. The distinguished gen.
tlemen arrived On late train, and after a
hasty lunch, were conducted to the hall,
which was then crowded to overhOwiBg.
There was a round of applause when they
appeared and were conducted 20 the
platform by the local committee, COM
posed of Hon. J. H. Burtt, Hon. John
Corc0ran, Messrs. Jere Mead, ]. p. Muir
ply, Charles T. Parish and Richard Rob
ertsoD. Hon. J. H. Burtt acted as Chair
man, and Immediately introduced the first
speaker, Mr. Samuel GOmpers, who he
said WAS practical cigsrmsker and Pfesi-
dent of the National Federation.
MR. GOMPERs' ADDRESS.
Mr.. G1mpers was received enthusiastic
cslly. He launched immediatsly into the
body of his address, ard held his hearers
wrapt in the closest attention for over an
hour. He said the question OF the rsduc-
tion of the hours of labor was not new
one. Il had its inception in
the great industrial revival cf the
present centuty. 1t grew ont
of the development of the machine, and
the increased production that came there
from. 1t grew from the general aud vide
ly prevalent feeling that while these
machines were makiag the prosperity OF
the rich, they were conducting but little TO
the comfort and happiness Of the poor.
There was one, aud only one objection
urged to the reduction of the hours Of labor
to-day. II was the objection that capital
always urged 10 the progress of labor, the
objection that competition would make
Investments unpTOftsbls and render them
incapable of paying remunerative wages.
| This objection had bsen met and retuted q
hundred timee. The hours of Dor, the
speaker believed, were longer in European
nations than America. They were longer in
China, Russia, Austria and Germany than
any other countries of the world. Yet the
American and Eaglish manufacturer to-
day was able to make their goods and sell
them at profit in the markets Of these
countries. Why was this? The answer
was simple. 1t stood ont 30 that none
could miss il. American labor was intel
ligent. It had more hours for the develop
ment of the intellect and the study Of ma
terial resources, ard WAS that much more
valuable. 1t made up in increased intel
ligence what was lost In shorter hours.
THE HOURS AND THE WAGES.
81 am not familiar" the speaker con-
tinued. with the numerous industries,
which may be represented before me this
evening. But will venture one thing.
Review every trade in which you ere
employed, and you will find the men who
work the longest hours are the poorest
maid. The men who work the fewest
hours reoeivo iho bOet Uaseo, and every
graduation between the two extremes is &C.
compsnied by like graduation in the
wage. Now I know it is said that the
added hours of rest which the laborer
may gain will be spent in dissipation.
denounce and huFl back this charge
in the teeth OF the man
who may make it. There
are none in this hall who do not know its
falsity. You know from your experience
that the men, who spend the most hours
in the grogshop, are the men who receive
the lowest wages, and have no attractions
in their humble homes TO draw them from
the Rilded bar. The man who has hours
Of rest, who has chance TO bnild and own
a comfortable home, the man who has
family that he loves, and with which he
can commune, is the mau who will avoid
the grogshop. Such men We aim to make,
by securing the workipgmen of this LAM,
more time for thought and study and rest
Applause.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN LABOR.
A reduction in the hours of labor means
an improvement in the condition OF the
people. l can show you that OF the cities
of this land where the hours OF labor are
shortest, there the condition of the labor
ing man is the best, while in those cities
or towns where the hours of labor are long
est. the working classes are poorer and
have fewer comforts aud enjoyments. Men
say that q reduction in the hours Of labor
would produce stegnation in business.
The history of labor shows that reduc-
tion produces increased activity in every
field. Il takes from the streets the men
and women who are unemployed, makes
them comfortable and prosperous, and they
become increased c)Deumers and furnish
increased demsrd for every product.
There ia another factor in this move
ment. which few men appreciate. What
effect will the reduction OF the hours OF
labor have upon the wages of labor?
What effect has it upon the steadinees OF
employment? How often does it happen
that a manufacturer assemblies his en-
ployes and SAYS TO them: 81 have deter
mined 10 decrease your wages. II you
don't want TO accept the decrease there are
armies of unemployed who are willing to
do so. So do as you please about iiP" And
an these workmsn rehect that they are IN
danger of losing their positions snd accept
the reduction. Let the hours Of labor BE-
reduced, nnt this army of unemployed
whom your employers use to-day to
threaten you will be drawn ioto your
ranks. You will stand together, and the
whip will be in your hands then instead Of
your employers. oo
THE PLAN FOR 1890.
In the meantime, what shall we do in
1890? Let me say TO you working men
here. every man of you who works for
wages, Join your union, join enthusiasiicsl-
ly and actively in the work, and when
Nav 1. 1890, comes you will be in posi-.
tion 10 say TO your employers that you
have determined that eight hours is
long enough for any man to work. The
eiOht hour motto is inscI bed on our ban
uer. and if then the employers Of this lsnd
are 30 foolish as to resis. this demand you
will be well armed and well equipped i)r
any contest that mey ensue. / do not say
Il may be a general strike. 1t may, 1t
urobably will. be q general n o7sment.
Gradual, easy, yet irresistible, and it will
end in the triumph of the working men OF
the land. 1t will be the triumph Of Il
eternal principles of liberty; Of the princi'
nle that all men are entitled to life, lib
erty and the pursuit of happiness. That
is what the working men Of this country
desire. That is what the friends Of the
eight hour movement aim to secure. APP
plause.
A WORD ON STRIKES.
Now, want to cay few WORDS IN re.
vsrd to strikes. As rule, 1 am opposed
to strikes, but sm not prepared to de-
nounce them. Tue enemies OF labor roll
dennnoia.ion of strikes under their orgues
like a sweet morsel, and what they de-
nounce may not be 60 far wrong. Bu. there
ara times 10 strike snd times to sub
NIT. Battle is the extreme re
sort in every difficulty and the strike is
Iabor's battle. Wendell Phillips, when
he heard the news of the uprising In
Pnssis. thanked God that it showed that
r. ,,aonle of Russis were not willing