St. Paul daily globe., 1896-03-30

petition from church or q church society
demanding the passage of child labor bill,
factory regulation bill. an eight-hour bill
or any one of the many measures Initiated
ana pushed by the labor unions. Petitions
nave oeen sent In by the churches In ad-
vocacy OF or in opposition to bills covering
every other conceivable subject, from the
closing OF rum shops to the placing of the
name Tp OF God In the constitution.
Ihere are in existence church societies with
out number whose objects win the commenda-
tion OF all men; but there are also many
Wnlch never receive the sympathy of q larger
part OF the community. 1t will be an auspi-
cious DAY for the churches, and for those who
at present have no sort Of afiiation with them
wnen some church shall undertake an organ
lzatlon TO aid In perfecting legislation gov
erning child labor-or, better yet to prohibit
1t up to certain age. Whoever undertakes
thls work must be prepared however, to en-
counter, as the trades unions have, the covert
OF open opposition of rich, powerful and able
men. In every part Of the world where this
kind OF legislation has been secured it has been
In spite OF determined and unscrupulous eff
forts to stop 1t by the most influential forces
In the city, state or nation. Success has been
won only through sacrifices that none but poor
men-ignorant men, If you will-seem willing
to make.
doubt IL the ministerial associations of
these two cities have ever considered or acted
on the bills put into the Legislature by the
state federation of labor Who here has
KhoWiedge or any effort made by the churches
TO concfliate or win over the rich pillars of
the churches who have opposed those bills and
IN several instances defeated them? 1t must
be said here, on the other hand that there
have been a few rich men and churchmen who
nave advised and aided the advocates of such
legislation. A notable example Is Hon. James
4. Wyman, of Minneapolis. churchman
not rich man who has done grand service in
the same line Is Rev. l.. G.. Powers, the labor
commissioner These are such notable excep-
TONS that every member of labor union in
Minnesota knows and honors them
1t would prove profitable for all pastors and
the earnest workers in their focks to put In a
rev hours each year in cooperating with the
labor unions, closely and practically in the
endeavor to secure better laws to govern child
labor. The work is only fairly begun as vet
Henceforward the fight will be easier, but it
Will De no holiday affair at any stage. If this
KIND OF cooperation ever becomes established
child labor will be prohibited female labor will
De perfectly protected, and the workingmen
VIII extend the eight-hour day even into the
rum shops
Now, what can the churches do? The an
sWer Is at nand, IN the consensus Of opinion
OF the practical humanitarians OF the land
work to fix the minimum age for work at
sixteen years. Make attendance at school
compulsory to the same age. Provide for tru-
ant officers and factory inspectors at salaries
IN the community, and educate every citizen
to aid them in enforcing the laws Make
generous provision for school accommodation
Put money from the state treasury into con-
troll OF school officers for the support-not as
a matter Of charity. but for the future well
rare OF the state-of all orphans, half orphans
va oi VI eHc very poor VINO might other
wise be compelled to work or starve. The
percentage OF these is very small. Bring into
play the fnf1exible hand Of the government
as swiftly to make good citizens by education
and care as to punish discontented ones by
gun or gallows.
Let the churches be jealous of the good
work they can do for the children of this
day who are shaving in short clothes and
knickerbockers will hold some one responsible
later on. Educated and well-nurtured men
and women ought to be worth more to the
state, to the church and to God than treas
ury bulging with money realized by taxes
The school fund Of Minnesota is Of vast pro-
portions In its total. Working with the labor
unions and non-church going publcists, the
magn1hcent orgaization known as the church
ought to be able to arouse public sentiment
that will compel the use of that fund to edu-
cate every child in the state and compulsor-
lily abolish child labor.
Trades unionism means discipline order
IL Is force which has created labor bureaus
ana made labor commissioners factory in
spectors and truant officers fixtures in Amer
lean life. These bureaus and officials are
IN our opinion, doing more for the real well
fare and future salvation of the rising gen
GRAFTON of workers than the churches. The
two forces working together can revolutionize
economic conditions and make child laborers
misty memory Of what will in the future
seem like barbarous age.