Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-08
GOV. HILL ON LABOR.
He Discusses the Changes in the Condition
OF the Past and Present.

He Discusses the Changes in the Conditions
OF the Past and Present.
Gov. Hill Of New York spoke in part as fol
lows to the throng at Germania Park, Buffalo
yesterday afternoon: 1T is. perhaps. especially
felicitous that my official visit here. which will
be my last one as chief executive Of the state
should be as the guest of the workingmen, and
upon an occasion devoted to the celebration OF
a holiday in the establishment of which you
were the earnest promoters. and the propriety
OF whose creation received my official recon-
incubation and whose validity was confirmed
by my official approval
II am sure that neither Of us have had cause
to regret our joint participation in the accom-
piishment of that result, but OH the contrary,
so far as am concerned, shall always regard
my action with pride and qualification"
The governor spoke on Labor day and the
steps by which legislation secured, setting
apart day which workingmen might observe
rs peculiarly their own.
The subject of the reduction of the hours
OF labor" said the governor. lis one entitled to
respectful and serious consideration 1t is a
question which cannot well be ignored, and in
some Of its different phases it is always before
us. 1t is evident that it is a question which
cannot be effectually disposed Of until it has
been wisely solved, and its solution presents
one of the important problems of the hour.
There Is an irrepressible conflict always in
progress between the forces demanding the
greatest exactons from labor and those insist
ing upon the least.
Recreation Of course is not the chief end
of man, and while the desirability Of some re-
Taxation from continuous daily toll should not
be exaggerated and while idleness should be
deplored, yet on the other hand the fact must
be recognized that the necessity for the ardu-
Gus toll which characterized former days does
not now exist. We need not work either as
-. g. bod
before u.s. Conditions are rapidly changing
everywhere. Improved machinery. new ap-
plances and inventions OF every kind operate
largely to diminish the amount Of manual labor
heretofore required in many pursuits. We
have a right to avail ourselves of all modern
improvements to relieve us from unnecessary
drudgery.
business hours in most every pursuit are
everywhere much restricted. Public Offices
are allowed by law to be closed earlier than
formerly. The early closing movement for
our stores and shops has proved decided sue
cess and was inaugurated none too soon. Me-
chapics and laborers generally formerly worked
fourteen hours day; then the hours were re-
duced to twelve, then to ten, and now the de-
mand for still greater reduction is heard on
every hand and is attracting general attention.
The regulation by statute Of the hours of
labor Is matter not free from practical difficult
ties Corporations. which are the creatures of
the law, can be controlled to a certain extent
but regulation by custom and public senti-
ment. alike applicable to individuals as well as
to corporations, would seem to be more effec-
tive in the long run. The trend of the times
Is in the right direction, and while laws may
facilitate the accomplishment of right results
sometimes they are more speedily produced
by All appeal to reason rather than to law-to
agitation rather than to legislation.
1.-THE dignity of labor can best be preserved
by insisting that labor shall be better com
pensated. Increased compensation will fur
nlsh greater facilities for education more COM
Portable homes, more contented families and
better opportunities for recreation, as well as
to tend TO develop nobler aims and purposes on
the part Of the workingmen, greater interest
in the peace and prosperity OF the state and
higher ideas of citizenship.
Poverty il one great source of discomfort.
Overwork, poorly compensated, is another.
Let me add another suggestion right here.
Let us he reasonable in our clamor for chea d
things. 1t is natural that we should desire to
obtain whatever we need at fair rates. but we
should be careful not TO insist upon prices SO
moderate that the interests of labor will be
jeopardized. To live and let live is a good
motto, which may be safely followed III all pur-
suits. Do not insist upon newspaper SO cheap
that the proprietors are unable to pay fair
compensation TO the printers who set the type
and with the reporters and editors who furnish
the copy. We expect cheap transportation. but
the engineers. tiremen, brakemen, switchmen,
the operation of railroads should be well paid
and while exOrbitant rates should not be per-
mitted to be demanded for the transportation
of passengers and freight. We should be salts
fed to allow ample charges to be collected.
Il was going to suggest that something
should also be reserved for the directors, but
upon reflection think the directors will look
out for themselves. Let US endeavor to raise
the standard of excellence in every calling and
educate the people to a better and higher con-
ceptiOn Of the doctrine that the laborer is emf
nently worthy of his hire. This does not mean
the other extreme extravaganza, prodigality or
wastefuiness but it means for all the interests
involved in labor the recognition of liberal
compensation and generous treatment
II have no new views to suggest upon the
much debated question as to what number of
hours out of tine twenty-four should properly
constitute days work for the ordinary
mechanic or laborer. My sentiments were
fully expressed in an address which had the
honor to deliver before the Chautauqua county
fair at Dunkirk as long ago as September IS
1886, In which, after an elaborate discussion Of
the subject, came to the conclusion that
eight hours of labor, four in the forenoon and
four in the afternoon, followed up all the year
round Sundays and holidays. Of course, ex-
cepted) ought to be sufficient to enable any
buckingham to live, und are all that he ought
to be required to perform.
subsequent reelection has only confirmed
the convection then expressed. lhaye watched
with interest the operation of the eight-hOur
system wherever it has been adopted in the
construction of public buildings in the state,
and there seems to be but little diversity of
opinion that its results have been satisfactory.
Its general adoption and ultimate success
must depend largely upon an enlightened pub
lie sentiment. to which appeal may always
be made with confidence Ill "A cause based upon
the principles of equity and fair dealing"