The times., 1897-03-21

others"
Mr. Samuel Gompers, president OF the
American Federation of Labor, in speak
ing of the consideration the toiling masses
of the United States had received at the
hands of the last Con gress, said that one of
the most important matters of legislation
before il was the amendment To the eight
hour law, but was not reached for action.
The amendment, however. he said, will be
pushed at the present session, and he has
hopes of favorable action by Congress.
The amendment, Mr.. Gompers said, pro-
vides that SO far as is practicable all
material for government contracts shall
be prepared under the spirit of the eight
hour law, which would, of course, necessi-
tate it's being done by union labor. At
present, he said, the law is observed on the
actual work on government buildings; yet
the contractor and subcontractors who
furnish material for this work are per
mitted to violate the very essence Of the
law.
1t S to obviate this, and for the enforce
ment of the letter and spirit OF the law
which the amendment provides.
The contempt bill' is another matter
of legislation In which the labofing masses
are deeply interested. The issuance of
restraining orders or injunctions by the
courts has become too common of recent
years, and is a Gernieious practice which
should be stopped. 1t practically prohibits
free men from exercising the lawful func-
tions and rights is citizens. In other words,
courts should be prohibited from issuing
injunctions in matters of labor disputes
and for imposing penalty OF lmpnson-
ment for contempt in such cases. Il hoid
that such system practically reintroduces
involuntary slavery and Is antagonlsuc
to the spirit of free labor under free inst1-
tutions. We propose to have the bill on
this matter reintroduced and pressed to
favorable conclusion, he said
The seamen,s bill-the bill for the aboli-
tion of corporal punishment of sailors at
sea, the improvement of ltheir quarters
aboard ship, SO as to be in line with
humane conditions and Improvements
guaranteed by other civilized nations will
also be pressed. The ''crimping" system
must also be abolished if eur seamen are
to stand on a fair footing.
The creation of a Cabine t5officer to be
known is the Secretary of Labor is another
matter which every workingman in the
country looks forward to with interest. All
other interests are represented in the
Presidents official family except labor,
and the wage-earners believe that the
great interests Of labor should be at all
times keptinsight by the President, and there
is no way better or more practicable than
this So in event of contentious between Ia
borer and employer which would engage
public attention, there would be a mem-
ber of the Cabinet whose dutysit would
be to investigate Individually, thus obvi-
ating all misunderstanding or injury to all
classes and the interests Of the country.
1.-THE Don-partisan commission bfIl,' said
Mr. Gompers, "needs modification. Such
methods Of investigation as are proposed
we believe would undoubtedly lead to n
better understanding of the present eondi-
tions, and show how far we have driftefi
from our original moorings, and also how
insiduously the rights Of the masses have
been undermined and taken from them.
"a commission Of the character pro-
posed would be in q position to make