The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-01

the objects, the lack of which has been
aggravating our craft for years. Through
the earnest and eager work of sympathlz-
ers, combined with our craftsmen, we have
Jtefl ye7Iabfed to pass through the Leg1sla-
ture bill giving the BARRIERS of San Fran
cisco and OF the State a half-day's rest IN
the week: Emancipation has come to our
rescue, and we hope that the results OF this
meeting will be the missing link to finish
the work already started. Our object is to
elevate, educate and raise up members OF
the craft, and place them on the platform
where thew deserve to be. Progression
shall be our motto" [Applause.l
The quartet then sang Il Stood on the
Bridge at Midnight" and afterward Charles
NJ Shortridge was introduced. he mace
speech pertinent to the cause OF the bar
hers in their attempt to secure a half holt
day, and it was frequently interrupted by
applause. He dwelt at length upon the
reasons why the new law was good onei
and then touched upon topics which were
of interest to the BARRIERS as a body.
While # might be claimed, he went on,
that men could agree to stand by each
other and close their shops at II O'Clock,
still the fact remained that some sort or q
prOhiSitorv law is necessary. 1t stands IN
other trades and professions as well as
among BARRIERS that this is correct propo-
sition. & law is the consensus OF public
opinion, and this particular one IS dec.
laration made by the people OF the State OF
California.
The BARRIERS had gone to the Legislature
and asked for a law as they ask Tor law
to do anything which is proper and right.
The cause could not be carried out indi-
vidually. 1t was necessary to have gen.
eraI law which would apply to all" The
speaker had heard it urged by some that
they had a right to labor every day IN the
year. Perhaps they have; but should
there not be one day in the week when
laborers-and we are all laborers-can go
out and enjoy Gods sunshine? Cannot
man earn enough in six and half days
lator in this great Republic to provide
him with abundant food, decent clothing
ane comfortable place to sleep?
| a half day out of seven was little enough
as holiday, and the only fault with the
! law as passed was that it did not allow bar
bers more time. They are professionals
and must, to be successful in their bust
ness, be endowed with dignity, patience,
skill AMI ability, and with these they must
mix b. aims. These requirements are need
ed in every profession, trade and calling
in life.
II speak, said Mr. Shortridge, las a
| toiler among toilers. ] appreciate and
| fully recognize the dignity Of labor OF
every kind, and the skill which may be
displayed in every department OF business
affairs. One man may manipulate the
surgeon knife, another the pen, and still
another may apply his deft fingers to the
razor as a professional barber, but the
honor attached to each depends upon the
skill, the fidelity and the ability OF the
operatbr"
Referring again to the recently passed law
Mr.. Shbrtridge said that the BARRIERS should
resolve in favor of new law, and that IS
the closing of shops at o'clock at night.
| [Applanse.l He said that clause should
have been in the measure just passed.
| Some persons had said that the PROPOSE
| ton of ordering shops closed was uncon-
| stitutional, but in the speakers opinion
such contention was absurd.
Il am not an anarchist" said Mr.. Short
! ridge; 81 am not opposed to capital, nor
am appealing to the passions OF any class.
l am striving to get some capital OF my
own am not talking with the idea
OF beng considered the friend OF any
special class of laborers especially. Why,
every. man worthy of the name has
| to labor. If he does not labor with his
hands, he does with his brains; and, right
| here, want to say that it is mistaken
/ idea TO assume that the man who can act
! the DarDef doesn't have to mix his brains
/ with his work"
| Reverting TO the allegations of unconsti-
tutionality of the closing law. Mr.. Short
ridge referred to an interview which he bad
had with Governor Budd regarding the
bill. He urged that measure which was
palpably for the benefit of the people could
not be unconstitutional At any rate, the
law was deserving of signature, and if any
one was found base enough to contest it.
and go before a court and say that he
wanted to work seven days week, then it
| was time To, await the action of the Judges
the peoEee' S seryants--in the matter.
The speaker believed in wholesome laws