The morning call., 1893-06-21

nous thing.
OF course the whole question is not set
tied yet and will not be perhaps before the
end of this week or the middle of next
week, for there are always some cautious
people who cannot decide the question
until the very last moment.
But this much is settled-that pretty
nearly 1000 clerks and employees will quit
work on Saturday afternoon, July l, at the
usual time and not go back to their desks
OF shops till the Wednesday after the
Fourth.
And there's no guesswork about this
statement, for the proof is at hand. The
clearlDg-h house and the banks may still be
uncertain, but there's no uncertainty con-
Dected with the coming three and half or
four days holiday soon to be enjoyed by
about 1000 clerks and employees in this city.
That is q pretty respectable number to
begin with. If it keeps up at this rate
there will not be a cOrporaPs guard of
open wholesale stores. factories. banks,
Insurance houses and the like open on
Monday, July 8.
Perhaps if you are not a clerk or en-
ploys affected by this agitation either way
you think it rather small for busy men and
great newspaper to spend SO much time
and energy in fighting for a single
holiday.
Well. those engaged in the agitation do
not seem to think so, nor DO those who
will benefit by the additional holiday. 1t
means great deal to the latter. 1t means
three days outing in the woods or noun
tains or by the seaside. 1t means three
consecutive days In the open air, in the
bright sunshine and in pure. healthy
atmosphere, away from the crowds and
dust and jostle and hustle of a great city,
Il means quiet and rest for the many
1t Is not really a matter of only one day,
though but one day is asked for Saturday
afternoon, Sunday and the Fourth are
bound to be holidays to the great majority
OF people all over the United States.
The question is about the Sd of July,
which falls on Monday. Can that be
added to the sum total of this little oasis
in the midst of a year Of indoor life and
hard work?
Upon the answer depends much happi-
ness, much rest, recreation, recuperation.
And more depends upon it than the i'm
mediate good to thoss directly affected,
vastly more. There are a good many
wives and children and mothers and sis
tiers and sweethearts to be taken into
just con sderation of this question.
II the holiday is to be three and half
full days in length that makes it possible
to carry out a nice little programme, which
includes green things and fresh air as the
predominating features.
But if Burbank has got to be at work
Monday, why. what's the use?
Better stay in the city and loaf about
home, possibly 90 out to the park or across
the bay for few hours Sunday and Tues
day, only to come home all tired out with
the going and coming and only seeing
enough of natures good things to make
Mondays work tantalzing.
And that this will not be the case with
great many families is thing to be de-
voutly thankful for That some will have
to work, whether or not, is to be deplored.
Let's make that number as small as posi-
Bile and let's work all the harder for the
others IL we are the unfortunate ones who
cannot in the nature of things be benefited
by it. That's the right kind of a Fourth
of July spirit.
It's the kind of spirit that prevailed
largely at the time the Declaration of In
dependence was signed. 1t is the kind of
spirit that will perpetuate that document
and the principles it inculcates A little
of it will go great ways, yet it is the one
kind of thing we can't have too much Of.
1t counts a hundred per cent more than
million bushels of frecrackers all shot
at once.
Not few good citizens have caught the
proper Fourth Of July spirit already, but
there are many others to hear from.
The Board of Trade is just chuck full of
1t. 1t is working away with great energy
to convert the merchan into its way of
looking at this extra holiday matter, and
is meeting with much of success, too.
Fl. l.. Smith, the secretary of the Board
of Trade, said yesterday that there did not
seem to be any opposition to speak of to
the additional holiday, and that about all
1t required was to present the facts of the
case to the employer and down would go
his signature to the agreement to close I'D
Monday before the Fourth.
Yesterday the Board of Trade was very
active in its good work and its officers
found that THE CALLS attitude in the
matter had helped their effort consider
ably.
with THE CALL on our side," said Mr..
Smith. we're bound to win. Folks have
got the idea into their heads that THE
CALL is on the side of the people, and that
when The CALL steps in and takes sides
on an Issue for the people the people are
bound to win.
at looks now az though. by the end Of
the week all opposition to the extra holi.
day would be swept away. Then we'll
call meeting, put the motion and declare
1t unanimous by n rising vote"
From the very start the firm of lie Count
Brothers. themselves employees of pretty
considerable force. have taken q very act
i've part in bringing about the general rec
ognition of the 81 OF July as a holiday, and
among other complimentary letters re-
ceived yesterday by The CALL came the
following one from that firm:
SAN FRAN CISCO, June 20.
Editor Tie Cdtt-DEAR SIR: Permit me
to express my high appreciation of THE
CALLS commendable action. as indicated
in the issue of this morning, ON the subject
of four DAYS vacation for our city clerks
deem it quite unnecessary to inform you
that am taking considerable interest in
this matter. consequently it is very graft
tying TO me to see gu take up the propo-
sition so earnestly. The inciosed list of
names represents the "ayes" TO the pro-
posed closing since your issue this morn
ing. Should you conclude to again men,
ton the matter please add these names TO
your list. shall make it my business to
furniqh Won with the siyoafnres IN the