The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1893-10-18
THE EIGHT.HOUR LAW.
1t is Declared Unconstitutional by
a Kansas Judge.


It is Declared Unconstitutional by |
Kansas Judge.
WICHITA, Kan, Sept. 2s.-In the
court yesterday, Judge Reed
declared the state law constituting
eight hours days labor "unconsti-
tutional." He is the first district
judge to pass on this act.
He held the law contrary to both
the state and federal constitutions
and declares it a restraint on the lib
erty of action guaranteed by both,
which permits the working of care
full contract in careful way.
Claims aggregating hundreds of
thousands of dollars for over time
under this act are pending against
every county and city in this state.
William Martin, ex-master work
man of the New York tinsmiths,
was interviewed on the subject and
spoke as follows:
eff this decision is sustained it
will bring about state Of chaos. 1t
will embarraSS the federal govern
ment in it's relations with it's en-
ployes;
case in point has already come be-
fore the supreme court concerning
the demands of letter-carriers that
they should be paid for work done
in excess OF the eight hours specified
by law. The decision rendered en-
titled them to the extra pay de-
manded. This was test case and
settled the question.
The employees of the Philadelphia
navy yard get pay for overtime.
Judge Reed was probably biased by
his sympathies with corporations,
state, municipal and otherwise"
The pronunciamento of a Kansas
district judge cannot block the pro-
gress of civilization. And the eight
hour question involves the progress
of civilization.
While the news columns of the
press daily distress us with accounts
of the hunger, the want and wretch
edness which fill the homes of many
Of our fellows, and our own acquaint-
ance suggests many other homes of
willing and skilled artisans that are
now or very soon will be involved in
similar conditions, the ''society" de-
partments Of the same papers tell
the readers of the comfort and ele-
gance of other homes where art and
music and literature lend their
charms, and where comfort reignS.
And however much we may deplore,
and however savagely we may fight
the evil economic system that has pro-
datced such disparity of surroundings,
the REPRESENTATIVES, is not of those
who carp at people who have the good
fortune to have fine homes. We
would not if we could take one pleas
ure from the enjoyment of those so
fortunate as to possess such sur
roundings. But we aUould like to lift
those whom misfortune or the social
system Expresses, into the possession
of like advantage and into fitness,
spiritual, physical, and intellectual
to enjoy their culture and refinement.
If the various evils which make up
our economic system we're remedied
so that labor found employment and
received it's just share of the pro-
duct, of what avail would it all be as
a means to lift men upward toward a
higher plane, without leisure-leis-
ure for study and self culture. OF
what avail is means without oppor-
tunity?
How are moral and intellectual
progress possible to the laboring
man who must drudge 10 hours,
then take the time to 60 to his home
(often a As to 60 minutes walk eat
his evening meal and attend to the
necessary business incident to the
home? The remaining hours are re.
quired for rest and sleep. 1t is this
dull grind..of work and sleep, that
mould the typical artisan into "a
| udSSdIO, 1OW-UIOWCu, SUuIUCu Iudu.
The elevation of the working class
into the estate for which the Creator
intended them is an impossibility
without change in the hours fol
work, that will give the laborer oppor-
t,t',ity-and that not at the expense of has
means, for that would defeat the OBJ.
ject sought. Such opportunity would
it will be urged be perverted. Nc
doubt it would be by many; but it is
none the less an indispensable condi-
tion to advancement of civilization
and must obtain. Those who neglect
or abuse the privilege will simply be
the last to raise their estate, and a
generation or two would weed them
out. 1t is not a question of business
expediency-it is question of civil
ization-of the progress of the race
and business must adapt itself to the IN,
eUitdble.
Eight hours for work, eight hours
| En- 81 nj 81 oh