Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-05-01

AaSvriA po9see>cd u lbc m.ilt1ry Or
ganizatlon, toe finest war mechanics
which the ancient world up To the time
of which We speak mad ever seen. One
Of the kings returned to Ninevah with
20S 900 prisoners OF war, ali of whom
we're immediately set 10 wsrk for their
conquerors-
The cities, roads, colossal palaces and
temples Of Persepolls, Pssrgsd@ and
elsewhere were built under the orders
of An absolute monarch, chiefly by
prisoners Of war. The most herribls
tortures were inflicted fer any infrac.
tions of the law. The curious reader
may find full details IN the pages O!
Rawllnscn.
The condition of labor among the
Jews was, perhaps, the best in the
ancient world of the east. Slavery was
recognized, men and women beng
openly sold in the market place, but
every Hebrew slave, however, became
| free at the recurrence OF the year OF
| jubilee.
The conditions of labor in China were
similar to those Of surrounding nations.
Some curious details are gwen in the
Sinking, or Book of History, com.
| piled by Csnfucius. but, as the details
relate mostly to penal institutions, they
| will not detain Us here.
What is known of the condition oil
labor is classical antiquity is easily
obtainable and fairly well known. II
will suffice to say that in Greece all
manual labor was performed by slaves
Slavery was q recognized institution
under all forms of government. The
conditions of labor IN Rome, whether
under the republic or the empire, did
not differ much from those in Athens
Christianity and Labor.
The introduction of Christianity
brought no relief TO the millions doomed
to a life of toll. Manumission and
abolition have never been adopted as .
part of its creed. Christianity ha.
always been essentially pessimistic,
Mans lite upon earth was regarded q.
. painful pilgrimage from the life tina;
iss to the life that IS to come. The
greater the suffering and tribulation of
earthly life, the greater the reward in
the celestial life to come. From being
little band with lofty ethical sane.
tons, of whom 1t was said, "Behold
how these Christians love one another"
it degenerated into an all-devouring
political machine, striving with tenn
poral rulers for universal political su.
premacy. Whatever of power it pos
sessed to humanize and morally re-
generate had passed away in tho strug-
gle for political usurpation.
From the introduction of Christianity
to its liberalization and the splendid
rise of the physical sciences At the COM
mencemeut of tho present century, the
chronicle OF labor 10, indeed, horrible
reading. One bright CLEAN, however,
should not pass unnoticed before we
quit this Introductory and glance at
labor laws as = species Of class legsla-
ton. -
Rome From Douaitian to Commodus.
We refer to the four score years
which elapsed from the death of
D0mitlan to the commencement Of the
reign OF the Commodus. Speaking of
this period, the historian Of the de-
cline and fall OF the Roman empire,
says: eff q man were called to fix the
period in the history of the world dur
ing which the condition Of the human
race was most happy and prosperous,
ne would, without hesitation, name
that which elapsed from the death of
DomItian to the accession of Com
modus. The vast extent of the Roman
empire WAS governed by absolute
power. under the guidance of virtue
and wisdom. The armies were re-
strained by the firm but gentle hand of
four successive emperors, whose char
acters and authority commanded in
voluntary respect. The forms of the
civil administration were carefully pre-
served by Nelva, Trajau, Hadrian, and
the Antoimss, who delighted in the
image of liberty, and were pleased with
considering themselves as the account
able ministers of the law. Such princes
deserved the honor of restoring the re-
public, had the Romans of their days
been capable enjoying a rational
freedom. They beheld the general
happiness OF which they were the
authors"
Earliest Lab or Legislation.
We will now briefly pass in review the
labor legislation in England, emitting
all mention of the status of the labofsr
during the Dark Ages.
In the great compact Of English
political liberty, known as Magma
Charta, the laborer was not deemed
worthy of any particular notice. The
provisions against forced construction
Of roads, bridges, etc, did not apply
to him, but were IN relief of the higher
classes. The first piece OF direct labor
legislation was enacted in the third
year of Edward III. This is commonly
known as the Statue of Lahorcrs. The
black death had swept over England
causing great scarcity of isborers. A
demand fer higher wages necessarily
followed. It's provisions were as fol-
lows:
statute of Laborsrs.
1. No person under 90 years of age,
whether serf or free, shall decline 10
undertake farm labor At the wages
which had been customary in the king.
twentieth year (1347), except be live by
merchandise, was regularly engaged
IN come mechanical craft, was pos
sessed of private means, or was the oc-
cupier OF land. The lord was TO have
first claim TO the la Dor of HE serfs.
and those who declined TO work for
him or fer others are TO be sent to the
common gsol.
z. Imprisonment 10 decreed against
all persons who msy quit the service
before the time which IS fixed in their
agreements.
8. No other than the old wages are
to be given. and the remedy against
these who seek 20 get more IL TO be
brought IN the lords court.
4. Lords of manors paying more
than the customary amount are t. ba
liable to triple damages.
3. Artifieers are 10 be liable 10 the
same conditions. the srtifscers rnumer-
.saA hs,u~ xzadlsFs fanHare far~sers
shoemakers, tsllors, smiths, cafpen.
ters. nssons, tilers. pargetiers, carriers,
and others