Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-09-09
THE wonKmRN,s 7CoNeREss.

L
The Presidents Address-self-HeIp
the Best Solution for Existing Sos
ciaI Problems. 4rsg fs.s 1865 =
NEWCASTLE, Sept. S.-Thoagh the con-
gress opened yesterday the real business of
the meeting did not begin till to-day The
president, Mr.. Thomas Burt, N. p, this
morning in his opening address congratu-
lated the congress upon being the largest
body of representatives of trades unions
to meet in any part of the world. Mr.
Burt also said that he was glad to see that
women's unions were SO largely repre-
sented at the congress, as the women need
ed more organizing than the men. He ex-
pressed the opinion that whenever women
did the same work in quantity and quality
as men did they ought to ask the same pay
as men, and the latter ought to support
them in their demands. Loud applause.
Mr.. Burt predicted that as the trades
unions grew stronger strikes would di-
minish in number and Importance. A
strike, he said, was an ugly weapon with
which to enforce claims. A strike, in the
speakers opinion, was "ike q boomerang,
which if not skilfully thrown comes back
and wounds the thrower." Still, he ad-
mitted, strikes were necessary, when the
blindness and deafness of mammon obliged
workmen to stop the wheels. Referring
to arbitration means of settling dis
putes between employer and employee, Mr..
Burt said: ''Where arbitration affords a
chance of arriving at settlement it is
criminal to strike" Applause. Touching
upon the subject of state legislation in re-
gard to workmen, their manner of en-
ployment and their hours of labor, Mr..
Burt declared that this was subject upon
which great dividing line WAS drawn be-
tween workmen, some advocating
that the functions Of the state ought to
be limited to enforcing existing laws, and
others desiring such action upon the part
of the state as would lead to fundament-
al change in the entire industrial system.
He believed that self-help was the best So
luton for existing social problems, and de-
clared that, in his opinion, advocacy of
the suggestion that the state should be
the producer and employer of labor would
lead to disaster if applied. In conclusion
Mr.. Burt reminded the delegates that an
important problem for workingmen was to
discover some means which would bring
about better distribution of wealth and
SO raise themselves in humanity, in great
er material, well being, and in nobility of
character. Long and enthusiastic ap-
plause.I
In the course of to-day's session, after
considerable discussion and much opposi-
ton to the measure the congress, by
large majority, approved of resolution
favoring an international eight-hour law.
A heated discussion arose on the voting
procedure and much time was wasted. The
chairman was provided with a larger bell
in order to command attention; the reso-
luton in favor of an international eight
hour law was CARED by vote of
232 to 103 amid great cheering. The
resolution declared the British government
should endesvor to bring about such law
in connection with all governments and
demands that an international conference
be convoked for the purpose. An amend
ment against the eight-hour resolution was
rejected.