Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-02-27

Much of the session of the Ohio Valley
Trades and Labor Assembly was taken
up yesterday in hearing reports from
President Tighe and Secretary Salisbury.
who We're sent to Charleston in the inter-
est OF labor legislation. These gentlemen
detailed at some length their endeavors
along the lines authorized by the Assem-
ply, and supplemented it with suggestions
pertinent to similar effort in the future.
Upon reaching the capital they found
prospects for the passage of labor bills
not very hattering, but they had the sat
lsfaction before leaving of seeing two of
the measures fathered by the Assembly
enacted into law. One of these is House
bill No. ., introduced by Delegate Con-
nelly, providing that eight hours shall
constitute days work for all laborerS
work1nen and mechanics who may be en-
ployed by or on behalf of the State of
West Virginia" commonly known as the
eight-hour law. The other measure which
became a law and in which the Assembly
was much interested provides for the
setting apart of certain days and half
days as holidays. Among other provis-
ions. the first Monday in September is
designated as Labor Day, and is given
legal standing. Neither House bill No
loz, providing for the protection of the
health and life of employees, or House bill
No. 105, seeking to prescribe an age limit
at which youth may be employed in work.
shops and factories, were passed. Both
measures We're endorsed by the Assembly
and as no other legislation proposed by
that body esteemed of such vital inn
tn he
is received with no little chagrin and dis
appointment.
Mr.. Salisbury said that assurance was
given that should the bills be gotten
through the House they would meet with
little or no opposition in the Senate, but
this statement was proven sadly errone-
GUS In that body opposition appeared to
focus upon the bill providing for the in
spection of factories and mills, and he
has the record of members at two differ
ent times when efforts were made to
advance it upon the calendar. This
record is in accordance with instructions
from the Assembly to be kept for future
reference. This bill contains a clause pro-
viding for the safety of railroad en-
ployes, and the most violent opposition
came from the railroad lobbyists.
Mr.. Tighe, in his report, said the only
way he could account for labor bills pass
ing the House so easily was, that members
had an understanding that they were to
rest quietly upon the Senate calendar so
far down that the resurrection trump
would never reach them The Senators
We're nice gentlemen to meet, were affable
and courteous. They were in sympathy
with labor-in fact nine out of ten claim
ed to have been working men at one
time or another in their life, but they
didn't vote as they talked. Thep APP
peared to be hypnotized by the corpora
ton lobbyists who went in and out
among them as though they had vested
privilege to dictate and direct. He told
them in desperation that labor would
burn tar" around every man who failed
to support such salutary legislation, and
that they would keep it up for the next
two years, too but even this warm sug-
gestion failed to move them.
The Assembly, while giving Senator
Whitaker due credit for advancing the
eight hour law and securing it's passage
in the Senate, thanking him for his efforts
in its behalf in the Senate, lay their de-
feat principally to the fact that there was
no bona fide labor man on the floor of the
upper branch to espouse their cause. All
of the Ohio county delegates in the House
voted for the passage of bills Nos. 102
and 1O3,, except Mr.. Mcclure, who was
snowbound in Washington, and Mr.. Beh-
rens, who was called away on committee
work
Mr. Tighe thought the only way to Sc
cure labor legislation will be to adopt
corporation tactics-elect representatives
and stay with them until they do their
work
After the reports of Messrs. Tighe and
Salisbury were heard and thanks voted
them for their efforts, other matters were
taken up as follows:
Letters from Senator Whitaker. thank
ing the Assembly for expression Of sat
isfaction for his efforts in behalf of labor
bill, read and filed.
Communication from Frank Morrison,
national secretary of A. F. of L., stating
that application from Stogie Makers
Union sent to Kansas City convention
had not been purposely neglected, but had
Of necessityremained Enacted upon with
a mass Of otner communications, referred
to Stogie Makers Union.
Communication from Prof. Raymond
acknowledging manifestation Of interest
shown in his lecture on the sweating sys-
TEN, read and filed. 1t was suggested
that DR.. Raymond be invited to address
the Assembly on the social labor question
at some future time.
Communication from Secretary ]. J.
Kinsley, of the Chicago Federation Of
Labor and Allied Printing Trades Coun-
ell. Referred TO Typographical Union No
19
President Tighe offered resolutions
thanking Senator Osenton. of Fayette
county, and Speaker Mckinney, of the
House, for their active support Of labor
bills. Passed.
Delegate Bauer moved services of Sen
ator Whitaker, in behalf Of eight hour
law, be acknowledged.
Moved TO amend 50 as to also include
Ohio county delegation.
At this juncture, Mr.. Jackson. delegate
from the hod carriers union interposed:
Coin TO thank the fellows that was
snow-bound and didn't vote? No body
was snow-bound when the vote 70 Sen
ataw was on
The motion was carried amidst uproar-
tous laughter.
laughter
Allowance Of $3.50 made for sending
representatives to Charleston.
Matter relating to standing of fraternal