The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-22
THE EIGHT-HOUR LAW.
Many Elements which Enter into the SOlu-
tlon Of a yexed Question.

Many Elements which Enter into the SOlu-
ton Of q yexed Question.
The most prominent topic during the
past week, among all classes Of people, has
been the bill before the house of rspresen-
tatives concerning the hours OF labor OF
men working in mines. Scarcely any two
people have the same opinion of he'efectc
Of such a law or the power the Legislature
shall exercise in regulating the hours of
labor. Mr.. VIM. Weinstein. the Main street
merchant, who has carefully followed the
debates IN the question n who has
studied the question OF the condition OF
workingmen, both in America and abroad,
referring to the matter Yesterday, said:
"Those who are in favor of having eight
hours constitute a days work, have no oc-
casion for feeling depressed because of
their defeat the other day in the house. It
used to be that men worked from sun up
till sun down. When the question was first
agitated of cutting the hours of labor down
SO discourage business and cut of the
profits Of capital IS to react to the
serious detriment of the laboring
men. In time the hours we're cut
down, and the world moved on as before.
When the conditions are such as to Justify
VIC buO4 Va " 10y W Ciko
hours, it will be done. The general con-
dition of business is the main thing to be
considered by those who advocate it. in the
matter of time they take to push it. For
myself, l think, the occasion being favor
able. the reduction of the hours of lab or
will not produce more han a temporary
and slight d-isarrangement of business. pro-
vided sufficient notice has been given the
employers of labor to provide FOR the
changed condition. Without this prepara-
ton there wonId probably be lockouts,
shutdowns. reductions of wages and all
their kindred evils.
but the question of the number of hours
a mar works is not by any. means the only
question which should claim the attention
Of the man who works by the day. II a man
in Montana gets $3.50 a day and is com
| PEELED to spend $3.50 for food for himself
| and family. while another in the same bust
ness living in Illinois gets but $3.50 for the
same coke, yet with the same family and
| living just as well is called on for 81 a day,
there is something wrong and to its redress
| the laboring man and his friends should
give their attention. / have long given this
| matter close attention, and / contend that
the merchants OF Montana can make suffic-
lent profits by selling their goods 80 per cens
lower than they do. / do rot do business
for fun, still l sell everything, from a box
Of matches to a sack of flour, at low T
| prices than any other house in Montana,
| and my prices are but a fraction higher
| than the same goods cost III Chicago. The
| laboring man and the poor man could do
| nothing more for his wi good than to 90
| to q cash house or store in the city. get their
| prices on everything. and then buy where
he can do the best. 1t wcu,d mean many
dollars in his poke. each veal, and he would
have the satisfaction of knowing he is not
working for the sole benefit Of the rich
merchant"