The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1890-12-23

are DESTROYS of holding a successtr
international Labor Congress In 1893
we must be very energetic and by al
means be represented at the one Prev
ously held in Europe.
In connection with this subject, II
becomes my duty to call your atten
ton, that a bill was introduced IN
Congress looking toward the holding
of a Worlds Congress of Labor, under
the auspices of the United States Gov
eminent. The matter has not re ;elved
the endorsement of the Executive
Council, nor has anything been done
to commit the American Federation
of Labor to it. The circulars, bills
and other papers are herewith sun
mitted for such action as you may
deem most advisable TO take.
EIGHT HOUR LAW.
The law, passed in 1858, STIMULATING
that eight hours shall constitute a
days work for laborers and artisans
in the employ of the United States
Govern ent, is not yet enforced, and
it seems that special efforts in each in
stance are necessary to secure the ex,
tension of the law to apply to every
class of employment. Then again,
the officers entrusted with the enforce
ment Of the law, overcome it's provls
ions by letting out work to. contrac-
tors who are not required to enforce
the law.
ALIEN CONTRACT LABOR.
Upon the demands Of u represen-
tatives Congress discussed amend
ments to the Alien Contract Labor
law. 1t passed the House Of Repre-
sentatives in satisfactory form, but in
the Senate amendments were tackled
to the bill to such an end as would
thwart the very purposes of the law.
Recognizing the danger that
threatened us, [ wired a protest
against the adoption of the amend,
ments referred to, urging that
it were preferable that the law remain
as it is, rather than to further destroy
it's intention, thus opening up the
food gates for hordes of laborers, to
be brought to this country like slaves
under contract.
LABOR DAY.
The first Monday in September, the
day set apart by several States known
as Labor Day, has been mor gener-
ally observed than ever before.
1 would suggest that efforts be
made to have all the States enact a
similar law, and to urge the govern
ments of several States to follow the
example set by the Governor of Kan
sas, by issuing a proclamation calling
upon the citizens of the State to OBJ
serve it.
CHILD LABOR.
Of all the ills that mankind suffer
from, the unjust and cruel tendencies
of modern methods of wealth produc
ing, the one that seems to me to rise
to horrible proportions is that of
child labor.
Our centres Of industry with their
mills, factories and workshops, are
teeming with young and innocent
children, bending their weary forms
with long hours Of daily drugery,
with pinched and wan cheeks, and
emaciated frames, dwarfed both physi
cally and mentally, and frequently
driving them to premature decay and
death. The innocent smile of youth
]ul happiness is soon transformed into
wrinkles and other evidences of early
decay. The lite's blood of the youth
of our land is too frequently Slapped
at the fountain.
The hope of a ~perpetuity of free in
situations is endangered when the ris
ing generation is robbed of the oppor
tunity to enjoy the healthful recrea
tions of the play grounds or the men
tai improvements of the school
house.
The children of the workers have
none to raise a voice in their defence
other than the organized wage, workers,
and l appeal to you to take sue / action
as will protect them from the con
temptlole aVar1ce OF ~unscrupuIous cor
porations and employers.
SAILORS AND FIREMEN.
The Sailors and Firemen's Interna.
tional Union whose efforts to effect a
unity of the seAfaring craft through
out the civilized world seem likely to
be crowned with success, is deserving
o. our assistance. While this union
seeks to aid the men who traverse
the sea to improve their condition, it
also desires to remove the chief cause
of she present low standing of the
United States as a maritime power.
These men ask the endorsement of a
measure now pending in Congress en-,
titled: GA bill to regulate the employ
ment of able men on board vessels
H.. R. 1928" The union further