Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-06

Fred Nogel. John Schroandeuce and Johr
Auth. There was large attendance ri
the picnic during the afternoon and even
Ing.
A LEGAL HOLIDAY.
Act Approved Designating the First
Monday In September.
The act making Labor day a legal holiday
in the District Of Columbia was approved
by President Cleveland, designating the
first Monday in September as such. June
2S 1894. Before this the day had been
specially observed by the workingmen here.
and was already known as Labor day. and
needed only national recognition to make
1t one of the greatest dates in the history
of the District.
The first state in the Union to Introduce
the measure for the setting apart of a day
for labor was New York. Oregon has the
honor of being the first where the bill was
passed into a law
September ). 1852. various labor organ
organiz1 tons of New York city and vicinity
paraded through the streets of the metrcp-
oils. afterward holding a picnic, at which
speeches were made. The local assemblies
belonging TO the order were represented
there under different names in the Central
Labor Union.
Labor Day for Certain"
The general assembly was convened III
the city the day of the parade. and its
members were extended an invitation TO
witness it A remark made. the
parade passed the reviewing stand. by
Robert Price of Homecoming to Richard
Griffiths. then general worthy foreman of
the Knights of Labor that This is a Ia
Dor day for certain This was the date of
the term Labor day. which has been ap-
piled since to the first Monday in Septem-
Der.
cations paraded. and in 1851. when the
Central Labor Union of New York had I'M
der discussion the question of paradns,
George K Lloyd, a Knight of Labor, made
a motion that the first Monday in Septem-
Der be formally designated as Labor day.
This was unanimously adopted. and steps
were taken for the purpose of getting the
legislature to enact a law making Labor
day legal holiday for all time.
Progress of the Movement.
From New York the movement spread
throughout the country, and the highest
elimination of success was reached when
the day was officially recognized in the
District of Columbia. being approved, as
stated. by President Cleveland.
STATES VOTING APPROVAL.
Legislntures Which Gave the Move
ment Official Indorsement.
The following is q partial Est of states
compiled by Mr.. T. v. Powderly in which
Labor day laws have been passed. The
dates when the measures became laws are
given. and the states I-amed in alphabet
cal order:
Alabama-State Senator Oscar r. Hunt
ley introduced bill making the first Mon
day in September a holiday, to be known
as Labor Day. 1t became a law December
l., 1882.
California-Senator NJ. c. Mayer of San
Francisco introduced a measure provid-
ing for Labor day, which received the ap-
prevail of Governor Markham March %.
1873; the first Monday in October is Labor
day in that state.
Colorado-Jose phi F. Hoover of LeadviIIe
introduced a bill in the legislature Janu-
airy ~. 1sS1, and it became a law March
IL.
Connecticut-A. P. HUME introduced a
bill for Labor day in the Connecticut leg
islature, January -. 1889, and it became
law March ~ the same year.
Approved Valentine Day.
Delaware-The law for Labor day was
approved February IA, 1892 -'s
Georgia-Gov. W j. Northen signed the
kill for Labor day October IL. 1891. Ii
was introduced by E. w. Martin.
Ilhno.s-The bill making the first Monday
in September legal holiday was approved
by Gov. Fifer June IL. 1881.
lndiana-Tne first Monday in September
was made a legal holiday, to be known as
Labor day, by legislative act, approved
March %, 1891.
Iowa-Labor day was made legal holi-
day April .. 1880, when the bill was signed
Icy Gov. Boics
Kansas-The bill for Labor day. designat-
ing the first Monday IN September. be-
came law and was signed by the COVER
Eor. Lyman L. Humphrey, March L. 1891
The custom of recognizing the first Monday
of september as Labor day was establish
ed there in 1890.
Confined to the Cities.
Louisiana-GOv. NJ. ]. Foster approved
the bill for Labor day. making it a legal
holiday. July Z. 1892. 1t makes November
- legal holiday, TO be known as Labor
day in New Orleans and all cities of pop
ulation of 10000 Inhabitants in the state.
Maire-A hill was signed by Gov. Burnley
in February. 1891. declaring the first Mon
day in September "A legal holiday, the
same as Thanksgiving, Christmas day.
Decoration day and the 4th of July are
now by law made public holidays"
Maryiand-rhe bill was introduced in the
Maryland legislature in January, 1880
making Decoration day holiday, and be-
came law An amendment was Offered
raking Labor Day a holiday. but 1t was
governor dfterward. the day was officially
recognized as a holiday.
Massachusetts-The Legislature in the
1857 session acted upon a bill February 2.
passed both houses and received the sig
nature of the governor May IL.
Michisan-The first Monday in September
Is celebrated as Labor day.
Lacked Requisite Majority.
Missouri-During the legislative session
of 1853 a bill was introduced into the leg
islature for LSbcr day. When the vote
was taken IL stood: Ayes. Go: nays, IS. The
measure was defeated, as it required Il
votes to pass bill
Montana-The law making the first Mon
day in September holiday. to be known
as Labor day, was adopted during the ses-
sion CT the legislature of 1S9O-'9I.
Nebraska-Senator Frank Ransom, Janu-
airy .. 1881. offered a bill making Labor
day a legal holiday January IL 1t passed
the senate by unanimous vote. March ~ 1t
passed the house and received the COVER
nOrs signature
At First Inexpedient.
New Hampshire.-A bill was introduced
in the legislature June I, 1887. TO establish
Labor day. The committee to which it was
Nferred reported il back with these words