Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-09-01

sition was adopted, and the procession
was tho feature of Sept. 5, which fell
on the first Monday Of tho month.
WOrkingmen OF almost every trade took
part, and this Of course stopped many
business establishments and virtually
made the day holiday. The big pa
rade was reviewed by Richard Griffiths,
worthy foreman of the Knights, and he
as well as all who were on the review
ing stand was greatly impressed. One
who was present-Robert Price of Mary
manipulating his hand affectionately
upon Mr.. Grifiiths' shoulder, said:
"This is Labor day in earnest, Uncle
Dick"
Thus the observance of what is now
legally a national holiday began, and
thus it was named On every first Mon
day in September since that first parade
Labor day has been celebrated in New
York, and the size Of the procession,
the enthusiasm of the participants and
the more or less general cessation of the
people from gainful pursuits have been
evidence that the new holiday was JUS
titled by the best of reasons-a demand
from the highest authority in q repub-
hc-the people.
1t was not long that the establish
ment of the day in New York before
the idea was taken up elsewhere, and
Labor day observances were soon an es-
tabhshed fact in nearly every city of
consequence. To the parade, which has
ever remained the chief of these observ-
ances, have been added addresses on
economic topics and the organization Of
labor, and every year the movement has
grown until now Labor day is far more
generally observed than was Thanks
| giving day 80 years ago. In only two
cases, to be hereinafter mentioned. has
the date of Labor day been fixed for any
day other than the first Monday in Sep
| TENDER.
Making Labor Day a Legal Holiday.
TWAS not until 1887 that the holiday
was legalized in New York, the state of
its birth. The legislatures of several
other states set the day apart the same
year, and by the close of 1898 this had
been done in 25 states.
Oregon was the first state to pass bill
legalizing the holiday. Such bill was
first introduced, however. in the legis-
lature of New York state.
In several other states legislation has
been set ON foot for the establishment Of
Labor day, but has failed SO far Of &C.
complishment for one reason and an
other. Whether it will now be thought
necessary to secure such legislation in
the remaining states is not decided, SO
fur as the writer's knowledge goes.
On Sept. 6, 1899, Hon. Amos J. Cum
mings introduced q bill in the house Of
representatives at Washington making
the day national holiday. This bill
was identical in wording with one in
troduced on Aug. 2S, 1893, by the Hon.
Mr.. Kyle of South Dakota in the senate.
The bill was finally passed by congress
June 90, 1894, and two days later re-
ceived the presidents signature and be.
came law. The pen with which Mr.
Cleveland affixed his signature was sent
to Samuel Gompers, president Of the
American Federation, and is carefully
preserved by him. This bill reads as
follows:
"A bill making Labor day a legal
holiday:
''Be it enacted by the senate and
house of representatives Of the United
States Of America. in congress assem-
bled, That the first Monday of Septem-
Der in each year. being the day cele-
brated and known as labor's holiday,
is hereby made a legal holiday, to all in
tents and purposes in the same manner
as Christmas, the LIST day of January.
the cad day Of February, the Both day Of
May and the 4th day Of July are now by
law made public holidays"
The Significance II the nay.
The American Labor day has no ex-
oct counterpart in Europe There, it is
True, demonstrations Of workingmen an
often M e ON May 1, the object being
Of course. to produce an impression @,
strength in numbers and directness q
purpose. and 50 make it easier to wiz