The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-02-10
FOR MEN WHO LABOR.
BILLS BEFORE THE LABOR AND
CAPITAL COMMITTEE.
An Old Assembly Bill Given New
Hearing-The Cbain-Gang
Must Go.


The Assembly Committee on Labor
and Capital was called to order by Chair
man Conway last night, there being pre-
sent Committeeman STANDARD, Jacobsen
and Barlow.
A committee OF labor, consisting of l..
c. Fry, machinist, and NJ. p, Ronayne,
carpenter, appeared before the committee
and requested to be heard upon Assem-
bly, Bill No. 4S7, though the bill had
already been passed upon by the COM
mittee and reported back unfavorable to
passage.
The bill is IAN Act to provide for the
employment of destitute citizens and
making appropriations therefor" and is
widely known as the Tramp Act"
The bill was Introduced by Assembly,
man Thomas, the Populist member from
Santa Clara, and is said to have originated
in the labor unions of San Francisco.
Heretofore, when before the different
committees it has been considered as and
classed with certain Acts called wild
cats" though it wore a coat of another
color last night.
Luz COIlillIlee cOIlcluueu 10 near WIFI
the representatives of labor had to say,
and the bill was discussed by them at
some length.
The bill provides that sum be set
aside from the general state fund, yearly,
for the employment of such persons who
were without means of support and UNI
able to secure work, the same to be APP
piled to the roads of the State and other
public works, the amount paid per diem
to be fixed by the Board of Supervisors
of the county in which the labor is per-
formed.
1t was argued that the bill was in the
interest of humanity and was meant to
be measure to give employment to the
unlucky or unfortunates.
Many men, the delegates said were
compelled to work throughout the sum-
mer months at starvation wages, often
not exceeding 81 day, and as soon as
the long winter set in the work on which
they had been employed was shut down,
and they were left penniless and with
not even the chance to keep the ''wolf'
from the door. The delegates contended
that the condition of the laborer was be-
coming desperate.
Assemblyinan Barlow declared that the
bill was good one, and that the idea in
volved in it was the coming principle. and
that instead OF filling the prisons of our
fair land with men who could secure no
work, and who, i'll many instances, were
too honest to steal, the State must, sooner
or later, in the interest of humanity, give
employment to It's needy on the public
highways or other public works. instead
of incarcerating them in filthy prisons.
1t was argued on the Other SIDE that the
passage of such bill would be merely an
incentive TOR laboring men 10 scatter their
hard-earned dollars, and feed the liquor
interests, knowing full well that the State
would give them employment when their
last copper had disappeared.
Mr.. Jacobsen of Fresno stated that the
principle involved in the bill was re-
sorted to by many large cities in the East
with good results. 1t was the rule there
for the city to secure the contract for
some enormous work each winter, and
the work upon such work was given to
only such persons as it was the aim of
the bill to relieve, and who would other
wise fail under the vagrancy act and
spend the winter behind bars, not only
losing their self-reSpect, but being a bur
den to the city. He further stated that in
his district large number of men were
required for three or four months in each
year-So large that white labor could
not supply the demand-but that after
that season their services were not neces-
sary and that he was not In favor of
vagging them because he no longer had
use for them.
Chairman Conway, who is proud OF the
fact that by trade he is a plasterer, stated
that the bill had been rushed through the
committee without thorough exainina-
ton, and that he would favor a recon-
sideration OF the same.
Mr.. Barlow insisted on an immediate
reconsideration, and that the bill be re-
ported back with the recommendation
that it do pass. AS other bills were,
however, ready for consideration, the
action was deferred, and the labor dele
gates went away, happy with the prom
an early meeting of the committee.
Senate Bill No. 3S4, which is an Act to
repeal an Act, relating TO the coercion or
compulsion of persons seeking employ
ment, vas reported back with recon-
mendation favorable to passage.
Assembly Bill No. 626 was called up,
and the alleged evil it was meant to sup
press received some very denunciatory
and anything but tlattering compliments.
1t is an Act to abolish and prohibit chain
gangs.
The committee was a unit in denounc-
ing the chain gang system, but were also
united in the belief that parties who sue
ceeded in getting into Jail should be com
PEELED TO work Tor their board and lodg-
ing.
Mr.. Barlow stated that it was the chain
that CALLED, and cited an instance that
came under his notice on the street few
days ago, when a frail young man, who
looked tit for a hospital, rather than
chain-gang, was patiently carrying his
ball while ne scraped the street,
The sense OF the committee was that
that part OF Section | which referred to
working !on the streets be stricken out.
and that so much as referred to abolish
ing chain-gangs be reported back favor
able to passage. on motion OF Barlow
the bill was so amended and recon-
mended.
Assembly Bill No. $50 was next on the
committee file. 1t is identical,t to Senate
Bill No. 53S, being an Act requiring
every corporation in the State to nav
their employees at least once in each
month, and defines the duties of the
Labor Commissioner. The committee
were unanimous in their report back
recommending the bill to pass.
Assembly Bill No. COS was reported
back, with the recommendation that it do
pass.
The bill is 'An Act to provide for the
giving OF bonds by the keepers of intelli-
gence offices and defining the same and
their liabilities" 1t was thought the bill,
ii it becomes a law. will do away with
many of the practices in vogue among
the offices throughout the State.
among which was recounted that of re-
curing applicants to give bonus of 81,
ior which consideration they will receive
the magnificent return of a bitter expert
ence.
SANTA YNEZ COUNTY.
IL