Evening journal., 1891-09-08
HILLS LABOR VIEWS.
what New York states Governor said
at Buffala.

BUFFALO, Sept Sin the course OF
long speech on labor topics at Germania
park yesterday afternoon Governor Hid
said.
II is, perhaps, especially fehcitous that NV
official visit here, which win be my last one rs
chief executive Of the state, should be az the
guest Of the workingmen and upon an occasion
devoted to the celebration OF a holiday in the
establishment OF which you were the earnef.
promoters, and the propriety Of whose creation
received my official recommendation and whose
validity was confirmed by my official approval
am sure that neither Of us has had cause e.
regret our joint participation IN the accomplish.
ment Of that result. The subject Of the reduc
ton Of the hours Of labor Is one entitled 10 re.
spectful and serious consideration Isfs ques
tion which cannot well be ignored, and ia some
OF its different phases it Is always before us IT.
agitation has existed for SsYrs and il is evident
that Is is question which cannot be effertually
disposed Of until il has been wisely solved, and
its solution presents one Of the important prob
lens Of the hour.
There is an irrepressble conflict always in
progress between the forces demanding the
greatest exactions from labor aud thoae insist
ing upon the least. Recreation Of course fs
not the chief end Of man, but the necessity
for the arduous toll which characterized former
days does not now exist Conditions are rapidly
changing everywhere. Improved machinery
now appliances and inventions Of every kind
operate largely to diminish the amount Of
manual labor heretofore required ia many pur
suits. We have a right to avail ourselves of al
the modern improvements TO relieve us from
unnecessary drudgery. All occrzS tions have
TO a greater or less extent felt the influence o.
the reduction IN the hours Of labor.
Business hours in most every pursuit are
everywhere much restricted. Public Offices are
allowed by law to be closed earlier than for
merly The early closing movement FOR oul
nF "A -. - - a..
Mechanics and laborers generally formerly
worked fourteen hours day; then the hours
we're reduced to twelve. then to ten. and now
the demand for a still greater reduction Il
heard on every hand.
The regulation by statute Of the hours oi
labor Is matter not free from practical Difficult
ties, and while laws may facilitate the accom-.
plishments Of right results, sometimes they are
more speedily produced by an appeal 10 reason
rather than law, 70 agitation rather than &
legislation.
What number Of hours shall constitute 8
days work is a question which II is not an easy
task to satisfactorily determine 1t is difficult
TO establish a general rule applicable alike tc
all occupations and all localities. But every
workingman should be afforded a reasonable
opportunity 70 become acquainted with his
family, some time for reading, some for shop
ping. some Tor amusement and some for reflec
tion. Every honest and industrioft4 working
man oubAt ~ oo oble " earn q AeNtnA ana re
spectacle living He ought also TO be afforded
an opportunity 10 make more than mere liv'
ing 70 lay up something for rainy day, some
thing for sickness, old age or misfortune. He
has right to expect more than mere exist
ence on earth.
! do not believe in .paternal~ government
or that it is one Of the duties of the govern
ment to provide work for its citizens. but So
ciety owes duty 70 itself 10 afford every pos
sihle facility 70 working people in their efforts
| to improve their condition, to readily and
cheerfully yield 70 their every just demand ant
| to encourage in every reasonable way every
| thing that tends u add 70 the dignity IT labor