Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-02
The World Of Labor.

The World OF LABOR.
There il much excitement throughout
the world Of labor and the paramount
question ia. "Shali eight hours constitute
days work."
II is the same transition, only differing
In form andintensity, through which we
passed when the movement was made in
favor OF the ten-hour system.
OF old the custom was TO work from
sun 10 sun." IL was plan which suited
the agricultural communities quite well,
since the husbandman Is condemned to
life Of inactivity in the winter. and whenthe
spring and summer come 1t is but natural
for him to feel that he must make the very
best possible use of his time. IL is suited
10 the farmer also because he can only fol-
low the pillow. or plant, or SOW. or
harvest by daylight. and he must
make use OF sll his opportunities;
but even in many of the country
districts OF this land and Of Europe
there has been a reform IN the d.
rection Of shorter hours for the agricultu-
raj lsborer, though it is conceded that it
will never be practicable to apply to him
the same rules and conditions which are
adapted TO his fellows who are employed
in workshops and who can pursue their
callings almost every day in the year.
With these latter the ten-hour system
has succeeded well. IL has been in general
operation only about forty-fve years. IL
started in great disfayor but gradually won
its way and belied those prophets OF evil
who saw in IL nothing but mischief, and
some of whom went so far as TO declare that
il was q divine command that man should
spend bis days in labor, and that day was
the period of time between the rising and
setting of the sun.
The ten-hour system has been produc-
tive of good results. 1t was great reform
measure. Under it the condition OF the
workman has improved, while capital has
continued TO earn great rewards. The
country has prospered exceedingly and
religious and educational influences are
more widespread and effective than ever
before.
And now the time has almost come IN the
opinion of many when further expert
meut should be made IN lessening the
hours of the masses of toilers, and the de-
mand of these is for eight hours instead of
ten as days labor.
All over the land this agitation is going
on and no matter how i'll fares the present
movement the probability is that for many
callings the time will come in the near tu-
ture when eight hours will be the rule just
as ten hours has been the rule for years past.
We know thoroughly conscientious. capa-
bic. and public-spirited employers who adj
NIT that this is the prospect and who see
nothing very dreadful in IL. and who hope
TO see business methods gradually accom-
modate themselves to the change. But
they. in common with all other prudent
people, discountenance rashness, and, for
the public good, hope that the change will
be OPPORTUNITY made and only applied to
those callings where il is certain to prove
beneficial.
In day when: railroad companies ope-
rate in "systems" when manufacturers
form trusts; when businessmen have
their associations" and rules and regula-
lions; when this, that, and the other " ex-
change" is common; when lawyers, doc
tors, dentists, druggists, and Others. have
their societies when the power of in
telligent and closely knitted corporations,
or other-like organizations Is seen and felt
in every direction, it is not strange that
the mechanic or the laborer should turn
hopefully to the same method tolighten his
hardships and to elevate his life. If no does
not look out for himself, few others will
do II for him. Experience has taught that
this il true. Hence we see the working
men organizing; hence we see them fol-
lowing the presidents set by prosperous
professional and businessmen, and Selling
those instruments of defence ana offence,
which they may morally and legally use
with the greatest effectiveness.
In their ranks we find fathers Of large
families; men who are the mainstays of
their churches; men SCARED in their
country's battles and to whom patriotism
is not an empty sound but heart-touch-
ing word. While in anger or folly some
of them do acts Of violence, 1t is not for US
10 pronounce universal condemnation
either upon their cause or their methods Of
organization. The fact ought always to be
recognized that the movements of work.
ingmen are necessarily made in large
masses. The same discipline is not pos
sible to them that is easy to smaller
numbers banded for like purposes.
Contemplating the great field occupied
and the numbers engaged in the present
movement, 1t is no wonder that we hear Of
exciting occurrences and some deeds Of
violence. These are 10 be deplored and
denounced, but the whole world of work.
ingmen must not be included in the SEN
tence Of condemnation. They are our
brothers and they are struggling for their
advancement just as We all are struggling