The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1893-02-18

lings, its productive gardens, its domestic
comforts. The whole system is more
prontable to the manufacturer. more
profitable and desirable to the operators
In the whole county, acting as pioneers
in labor reform, the mill proprietors
had voluntarily adopted the limitation
OF eleven hours as a days work. More
than that time they found the men and
women both tired. They could not do
80 much work. 1t has been said that
this movement, proposed by the bill be
lore US, would interfere with the rights
OF labor, and in jure the democratic party.
when there is no conflict between capi
tallsts and labor, then is the time to fix
1t Two years hence, if this bill is not
passed, we would hear a clamor that it
nad been done. Do it now. 1t would
De profitable both for the owner and the
employee. Eliminate now the trouble
OF the future. He would do nothing to
pull down any interest. Sixty six hours
has proved in Alamance to be the best
poilcy. In reply to Mr.. Kitchen, who
had asserted that the water power
of Haw river gave the Alamance manu-
facturers an advantage which en-,
abled them to work proftably fewer
hours. Mr.. Long said that nine out of
nineteen factories in the county were
operated by steam alone, and more than
half the other mills used steam as auxili
ary. 1t was not the power used; it was
the skill OF the managers Experience
had proued that the eleven hour system
was the most profitable. There was no
complaint in these mills. New mills are
going up every year.
he would support the bill if the
amendments were adopted.
Mr.. Allen said he had intended to
make a full examination of statistics
bearing on this subject He wished to
| let 1t be known what the bill is. and
| how it came before the House. Crit
cism of this last comes from members OF
the committee. When the bill was pre-
sented there was clamor against night
work. The large owners said that would
destroy the small mill owners; they
would not consent to do that; and thai
brought the bill to its present condition
The bill now applies only to women an6
children. Only one set to worl
eleven hours and another set may be EN-
ployed for the continuance of work. Ex
Governor Holt had said it might b,
thought that in such bill it mi ght b,
said the Legislature was putting it's hand
on labor and capital. 1t was not doins
80. He said it might be wise to hav,,
some legislation on the subject. 81
said at some time there was going to b
some action, and said it was better t,
trust in this legislature than in a futur
one. This is a consent bill
The consideration of the hearing o
the bill before the committee had bee
postponed two weeks to give time fo
any one who wish to be heard to appea
before it. Notice to such had been give
but no specified time had been name
except through the newspapers. Man
had COM. He thought notice hsd bee
: given as } the day.
Mr.. Il iris said that notice of the da
7 had been given in the Charlotte papers
, Mr.. Robertson asked if any operativ,
I had been notified.
Mr.. Allen-Gentlemen from son
counties were especially interested. The
D were at liberty to regulate the time
D the meeting of the committee.
s It has been said the legislation pr
S posed is hostile, and that IN the matt,
6 Of regulating hours of labor, North Car
J. lima would be in advance of other st ate
: Maryland and Virginia already have
6 ten hour" law; South Carolina, Gcorg
t Tennessee an ''eleven- hour" law. Geo
e gia from sunrise to sunset. He w0u
d like to see as much capital coming he
n as into Georgia under her eleven ho1
Y labor law North Carolina is mo
e liberal than other states, more privileg
Il and exemptions than the recipients a
o entitled to. There is no parallel betwe
|. the regulations of factory hands 81
} farm labor Circumstances are al,
Is gether different. There is no night wo
10 on the farm.
,e Mr.. Kitchin spoke in opposition to
d bill. A law is sought to be passed nj
n that is not needed; no time to anticips
d the chance of coming evil; not man
le fore the committee that specially need
d the bill He holds in his hand the p
f. tests of three fourths of those engag
at in cotton and wool manufactori
j. against the passage of the measu
~ 1t was unwise and urgent to ignore su
sentiment when the other one fourth
~ not asking the passage of the bill, P
a sing it will stir up hornets nest :;
Ia admit there is no present necessity
al the bill ''Sufficient for the day is
il evil thereof"
Mr.. Cook, as a member of the
1e dietary committee, said that every XII
4 ness had been shown by the commit
in deferring the hearing en- the bill III
ad time had been allowed for correspo1
4. ence and Objectionable features stricl
To- out. He would not vote for the bill
Ia was proud to show that the factory F
m pie of his county-Cumberland-a
he content. There was no demand for
III islation. They were content with tt
treatment He was told by supel
be tendents that eleven hours were satisf
,re tory to them. The legislation had
he been proposed; the legislature would
have heard of it. Since it is prop0s
,at he would support it. He thought
ast operators received fair treatment or
~ would have heard of it. He would S
port the bill because it is not objecti
,r. able. He would say in Justice to
,ot managers that they do not oppose it,
rec There is no discrimination aga
Ike capital here. Railroads in this state
ad enjoying privileges others do not hi
he The state is rather in the grasp of c'
nat tai than repellant to it. Such st
Sc. ment ought not to go out. 1t wo
really repel capital. We want capi
to He would vote for the bill, but not
me reflection on the managers of facto
the In justice to them, he would disc'
ISL any charge of oppression. He W.
ion confirm the operatives simply IN t
it limitation of eleven hours. A de
cratic legislature ought to pass the
, to if not taken as an unfriendly act,
Mr.. Long, of Alamsnce, moved
,li- amend the bill by striking out sec
re. 3, which relates to providing seats
i'm women in their moments of leisure.
re- Mr.. Harris said he would notice
amendment at the proper time.
ad- Mr.. Grouse said he was opposed to
me whole bill No man has said they OF
ntv to be worked over eleven hours. In
>:J -ord 70 %bo omopHmant nf Mr. Lon,