Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-09
OUR MAIL POUCH.
Reasons Advanced for the Universal Adop.
tion of an Eight Hour Day.


Reasons Advanced for the Universal Adop.
tion of an Eighf- Hour Day.
To the Editor of The Dispatch:
Amone the many excellent reasons adducible
in favor of the adoption of a universal eight
hour working day is one in particular which
has not been urged with the fervor which its i'm
portance merits. Indeed next to that urging
the necessity of larger period of repose from
daily toll, it is, in my opinion, the reason par
excellence why the barbarous system so long
in vogue should be compelled to give way to
one which is acknowledged by consensus of
cotemporary intelligence to be demanded by
the material progress and advanced civilization
OF the closing days of the nineteenth century,
is that reduction of the hours of labor would
bring gigantic accession to the great army of
newspaper readers. And who could compute
the unQuestionable benefits that would newt
ably accrue to the community at large from
such condition?
The staunch conservators Of the nations
prosperity, the great producing army whose
Dattalions dot every industrial hill and plain
throughout this vast republic would, upon the
dawn OF the common sense workday era, de-
vote increased and increasing time and atten-
tion to the questions of the day; to politics, to
the doings OF society, and in fine, to all matters
anecting and pertaining to the common veal.
Inc indifference to matters of public policy
SO characteristic of the masses under the be-
num6ing influence of long hours of toll would
speedily give place to an awakening interest.
and workingmen would then begin to exper-
1ence the novel sensation of self thinking. Con-
viction would follow, and this in turn would
quicken into action-concerted action; for a
cummon condition will naturally beget common
Thought. and another revolution of the wheel
will produce common action. Nostrum
mongers catering to selfish interests, and pro-
fessional politicians, whose creed is pelf and
place. would soon awaken to the painful fact
that their occupation was becoming a precar-
nm ha aatn lin do rlafA NJ
gogsm would be laughed to scorn by a thinking
electorate, and the vapid rant about mummi-
fled issues would give way to intelligent discus
sion of matters of present import.
Give the masses time to read and study the
newspapers; give them opportunity to think, to
speak anu to act, and we will have loftier ideal
In our politics, higher craftsmanship in our
legislative halls, perhaps better Judgment
upon the judicial bench, and assuredly nohler
purpose, purer aim, and superior wisdom in
our men Of affairs.
In thus assuming, do not believe that I can
truthfully be charged with being unduly
op p,imistic in my views. The people are honest
ana intelligent, but they are Ihoughtless. They
vote with perfunctory precision that would
be amusing were it not sad reburtal of the
assertion OF the ubiquitous campaign orator
that we are what we most decidedly are not.
But what can be expected of men who are COM
PEELED to concentrate their minds upon the
grosser side of life during nearly or quite one
half OF the diurnal allotment of time, and to
whom is prac .icaNy forbidden more than
mere cursory acquaintance with morning or
evening newspaper? Men existing under such
conditions have. indeed, much to plead in ex-
tennarion of their unfortunate remissness in
doing their thinking by proxy and in casting
their ballots at machine behest.
Let the toll1ng masses have but time to care
fully read the. daily newspapers, and to ac-
quaint themselves with the multlfarious phases
of human life AS mirrored therein and we need
have no fear OF the country going to the dogs.
The press is the greatest civilizing and demo-
cratic force which the world has ever seen. and
IN this struggle for an eight-hour workday it
should be striving with all its tremendous
energy for the consummation of the great re-
form. To oppose 1t were qualification of its
mission. while to support it would not only be
in accordance with the principle of free and
progressive press bat would add in no mean
degree to Its own material welfare. 1t is to be
hoped that this powerful agency for good will
not be slothful in aiding in the establishment
OF the much-needed eIght-hour system. 1t Is
one which is imprratively demanded in the
interests of a common humanity, and all who
will assist in its coming will share in its bless
ings. L. D.
ALLEGHENY, Mays