St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-04-20
THE EiGHT.HOUR DAY.

A correspondent writing from Brock
enridge approves what the GLOBE had
to say few days ago concerning the
unseasonableness of the carpenters
strike in Chicago, but he makes the
point that unless the wOrkingmen avail
themselves of the busy seasons to press
their demands they are not likely to re-
ceive consideration. Unfortunately.
there is great deal Of force in this sug-
gestion, for it too often happens that
employers will assume all air of stilted
independence at times when they do
not need the services Of employees. and
will refuse to discuss with them affairs
pertaining to their mutual interests. A
little closer coming together and a dis
position to get upon plane of equality
in off seasons, as well as in the flush
times, would unquestionably rebound to
the benefit of both employer and en-
ploye.
But the bad behavior of one party is
no justification for indiscreet conduct OH
the part of the other. We repeat what
we formerly said-that the eight-hour
day will come, If 1t comes at all. through
Intelligent discussion, pacific action
and conservative methods. and not by
processes. that paralyze business and
derange the whole industrial system.
The truth is that all industrial interests
are so intimately blended, one cannot
be readiusted without neceSsitating
readiustment of all. Hence intelligent
forethought and an observance Of the
proprietieS are essential in accomplish
ing any sort of labor or industrial re-
form
AS long as tine employer and emplOye
insist upon discussing the eight-hour
problem solely from their separate
standponts, and make no effort to get
talk the matter over in a thoughtful and
conservative spirit, there will be no
hope of solution of the problem. All
that the employer sees from his stand
point is the uureasonablenesS of the
demand which requires him to give ten
hours pay for eight hours work. Then
there is the employe, observing the sit
uation from his standpoint, and all that
he sees is the injustice of labor system
nature intended to be devoted to work.
The learned blacksmith of New Eng
land, ELIHU BUREITT, probably had the
justest conception of the proper division
of time. His theory and practice was to
divide the twenty-tour hours into three
equal parts of eight hours each. The
first eight we're devoted to useful labor,
the second part to recreation and study,
! and the third part to rest and sleep.
That is the natural and most rational
division of time, and if it were faith
fully observed in all departments of life
the human race would grow wiser,
| healthier and wealthier. So that, after
all, the demand made by the working
men is not so unreasonable as the capt.
talistic classes seem to regard it.
But it must also be remembered that
other interests besides those of labor
are involved in REIMBURSEMENT to the
eight-hour standard, and the working
| men should keep this fact well in mind.
Whenever they precipitate strike at
| time when it is sure to derange the
business affairs of the community they
| retard the progress of the eight-hour
movement by obscuring the justice of
! it from public view. 1t is useless to at
tempt to force any reform upon the
public until the public are ready to re-
ceive it. The public mind must
| first be prepared for the change.
Then, again. it is worse than
| folly for the working classes to
aim to inaugurate a reform until they
are fully agreed among themselves as
to how, when and where the reform
| shall be introduced. When the various
labor unions and trades assemblies of
the world in hearty agreement as to
| the adyisabiIity of establishing tine
elght-hour working day, and then
defer the date Of It's Inaugural
ton long enough to enable other
industrial interests to make the
proposed change; then, and not
until then, will there be reasonable
hope of establishing the reform. United
| labor, proceeding in all intelligent man
ner aud with commendable purpose,
can achieve wonders. But there are no
| victories ahead for labor factions or for
labor agitators who supplant wisdom
with intemperance and intelligence
with brute force.