Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1891-06-20

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There should be no sentimentalism in.
dulged in for crimes of this character
an example is called for and it should be
speedily given. No difference what may
have been his position with reference to
society or to the commercial world; this
only makes his conduct the less justif.
able, the more inexcusable.
WE hear a great deal these days
about the eight hour system, and as
it goes, we haven't much fault to
find with the plan. In fact we be-
lieve it would be better for all con-
cerned, if an eight hour law, except
in cases where it is absolutely I'M
practicable, was universally adopted.
We can't see that anybody would be
injured by such a law. Certainly
not the employer, for the products
produced by his workmen would be
enhanced in value in proportion.
The greatest benefit perhaps would
result to the employees themselves.
With the eight hour system, there
would be abundant time not only
for needed recreation, but for the
cultivation Of the mind. Our work.
men might all be we'll read if not
well educated. This would be in
the interest of society generally, as
we'll as to the special benefit and ele-
walton Of our working men-the
bone and sinew Of our government.
KS
But there is another phase of this
question which seems to have been
overlooked by our reformers, and at
which we wonder exceedingly, for
the reason that Americans are pro-
verbal for their gallantry, and as a
rule, for their tender regard of the
comfort and feelings Of their wives,
mothers and daughters.
We have reference now to the
working women of America, which,
outside Of a few butterflies of fash
ion, who are entitled to no special
consideration from anybody, includes
at least nine-tenths of the women
Of America.
One of the cardinal principles in
courts Of equity is, that he who
seeks Justice must come with clean
hands-must be willing to deal just
ly himself. What right have we to
demand that days work shall con-
sist of eight hours only when our
wife or mother works sixteen hours
almost every hour of her life?
~
This is no idle fancy, no mere pic
ture Of the imagination. It is la
mentally true and we ought to be
chivalrous enough to see that their
burdens are lghtened first, Or, to
put it in another way, and upon the
grounds Of justice and fairness only,
before asking for relief for us ''lords
Of creation" ought we not to endeav-
or at least to see that the weaker
vessel" has fair treatment? Women
as a rule work much harder than
men. Do you doubt it? Every
mother who rears family and does
her duty by it works harder than
her husband, no difference what
may be his occupation or profession.
Comparatively speaking, their work
is never done. After the cares
and vexations Of the day the
traditional work-basket is brought
into requisition and the children's
wardrobe carefully gone over and
darning and patching becomes the
order of the evening all while she
is resting"
As rule our women work sixteen
hours a day and that without grum-
bling. Legislation is powerless to
grant relief. But it does occur to
us that before we insist very strong
ly for the eight hour system for our
selves that some steps should be tax
en- to curtail the hours of care and
labor performed by the. other sex.
In this article, as before intimated.
we have no reference to the sun
shine butterfly. nonentity, or gossip
ing gad-about, but we do refer to
nine-tenths of the women of west
ern Kansas to-day.
Neither do we mean even to init
mate that in most instances there is