St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-18
HIS VETO MESSAGE OF THE EIGHT
HOUR ORDINANCE BEARS IN
SPECTION.
He FAVORED THE MOVEMENT
ER WORK DAY FOR La
BORERS.
HIS POSITION REGARDED SOUND.
HI. w. bennett, President of the
Trades and Labor Assembly, In
quires Into the Facts.

1t being rumored about yesterday that the
Republican managers wers about to "spring
sensation on Mr.. Cullen and the Democ-
racy by exposing" to the workingmen of the
city Mr.. Cullen's record in the council when
the eight-hour ordinance was under consider
alton, and his subsequent veto Of that ordi-
nance as acting mayor, a Globe reporter
interviewed H. w. bennett. president Of the
trades and labor assembly, on the subject
last night.
WELL you know I have no authority to
speak for the trades assembly or any other
labor organization on this question" was Mr.
Dennett's reply when the question was
broached to him.
''But you have been making inquiry into
the matter. have you not?'
"Yes, had long talk with Mr.. Cullen
about it, and he explained his action fully
with reference to the eight-hour day for city
laborers and the rate of wages.'
"Well, have you any objection to express
ing your own opinion on the subject?"
mo, I am free to say that Mr.. Cullen's
talk with me- was very reasonable He gave
me a copy of his veto message, in which he
set forth fully his reasons for refusing to
sign the eight-hour ordinance. I have not
had time to read that message carefully since
receiving II from him, but from a glance at
it, coupled with Mr.. Cullen's explanation to
me, I infer that the situation and his posi-
tion were these: By resolution adopted in
1887 the compensation Of laborers employed
by the city was fixed at $40 per week for the
summer and 50 for the winter months. This
was for ten hours day. On Aug. 5, $780, a
resolution was passed making eight hours
constitute days work for all city employees,
and few days later another resolution was
passed providing that there should be no re-
duction from the rate of wages established
by the resolution of 1887 by reason of the re-
duction of hours-in other words, that the
same rate of wages must be paid for eight
hours as had been paid for ten. But Mr.
Cullen vetoed this latter resolution, giving as
his reason that, while he was heartily in
favor of the reduction of the hours of labor
to eight per day, he could not favor the pay
ment of the same rate Of wages per day for
eight hours as had been paid for ten. His
exact language in relation to this is as fol-
lows:
4 am heartily in favor. and have been
from the outset, Of the so-called eight-hour
movement and would gladly aid our labor
people in all their just and reasonable eff
forts to secure their demands-making eight
hours full days labor
MIR. Cullen argues, and with much force,
that the most advanced idea of municipal
government places it upon business basis,
and insists upon the same economy in man
agement that the city officials give to their
private business. He suggested that If
were acting a foreman for a corporation
or private employer, and in the absence of
my superior proceeded to reduce the hours
of the employees without making a corre-
spending reduction in pay, a new foreman
would probably take my place without much
delay on the return Of the manager. AS a
servant of the people Of the city, Mr.. Cullen
places himself in the position of such a
foreman. He argues that in ninety-nine
cases out Of hundred corporations and pri-
vate employers who granted a reduction in
hours insisted on a corresponding reduction
in wages; that all the organizations, or near
ly all, demanded no more, but the great ma
jority Of employers refused to grant even
this reasonable demand. Mr.. Cullen be-
leved it was right that the city should es-
tablish an eight-hour day for its employees,
but he could not see why 1t should go far
ther than private employers in the direction
Of granting 1t with ten hours pay.
''Now. / am frank to say can readily I'M
derstand how a man like Mr.. Cullen might
conscientiously refuse to concede such a de-
mand, Notwithstanding the fact that the mo-
tives that prompted it on the part OF the work.
ing men were equally sincere. know that
when he makes the argument that the demand
Of the labor unions generally was for eight
hours, with corresponding reduction in pay,
he argues what Is true, and he can not ap-
preciate why they should demand more of the
city than they did Of the private employers.
OF course those associated In labor organiza-
tions understand the reluctance with which
union men concede any reduction in wages,
and we know that the loss suffered for the
sake of securing the eight-hour day was only
submitted to because of the feeling that the
shortening Of the hours would eventually lead
to an increase in pay. Mechanics could stand
this, because their wages were larger than
those of the common workingman but when
it came to making a corresponding reduction
In the wages of city laborers, there was not
enough left to furnish decent living. 1t was
for this reason that stand was taken by the
trades assembly in favor Of no reduction in
pay.
But, as I have said, I can readily under
stand how man like Mr.. Cullen might con-
scientiously object, and still be in sympathy
with the working people, especially in view of
the fact that the wages paid by private en-
ployers for ten hours work were much lower
at the time than was the rate paid by the
city,
'How about Mr.. Cullen's record on other
matters in the council in which the working
men were interested?' was asked
Il have not made any inquiry into anything
else as yet" replied Mr.. bennett, "but the
organized workingmen will undoubtedly re-
view his whole record before casting their
votes on May g."
Did you approach Mr.. Cullen regarding
the assertion that he considered 70 cents or 81
per day fair wages for common workinsmen ?"
Il did, and his denial Of the assertion was
very emphatic. had no confidence in the
assertion, but took the precaution to place it
plainly before him.
STAMP FOR EVERY TOWN.