The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-05-29

70 the Editor: A business man Win
. fairly prosperous business right now. I
would like to suggest TO my fellow casa-
ssna. whether they - rich or poor. oua-
ness men or lnoorers. landlords or tenants.
professional men or contractors. In view
Of the action the council took the other
evening In concluding to insert clause
In the new streat car charter. compeahng
the company to pay certain employees =
cents pr hour: thatthey also linnit days
work to eight hours and no more and
make II . penalty to employ any one indi-
vidual longer than eight hours between
',sunrise and sunrta."
BY expefience and close observation for
many years, I am forced to the concur
sion that Il II far better for any commsn-
ity that Ill of her workmen Be employed.
even at Q lower average rate Of wage per
diem, than That . few should receive the
others BY reason OF working longer hours
per day. In oshsr words. society or the
public II not 80 much interested In the
individual getting big wages a. that all
who are willing to work should have an
opportunity to earn Z sufficient sum with
which they can pay house rent, grocery
bills. doctor bills. and be able to contribute
q mite to churches and for amusement A.
1t n . self-evident fact. the wants Of LOCO
II stands to reason u <he surplus labor Ii
to be left unemployed. society will sooner
or later be taxed to q greater or lan ex-
tent. either ~ individuals or as . govern
ment, to sustain the unemployed. While
quite q per cent. Of the unemployed Is
supported through loans or charity Of their
friends. . larger per cent become . prey
on merchants and business men BY con-
tracing debts which they never have the
money or willingness to liQuidate good
fellows. but can't pay). and . small minor
ity of the unemployed find their way into
the aims houses or jails and prisons -
paupeU and criminals-a big expense to
the state besides the bad moral suggestion
that 1t has on minds Of the people to sec
unfortunate acQuaiutances and friends car
ried OF to state institutions, the cause OF
which can be attributed nine times out
Of ten to lack OF employment at . certain
stage OF their career.
How often do We read In the papers OF
business men returning from business with
plenty OF money to lead by choice an idle
life, committing suicide or die for want OF
congenial employment. II idleness has this
enect on q retired merchant, imagine the
courage 1t requires of an unfortunate citi-
zen with modern education, knowing all
above him In the way Of culture. being
compelled by the necessity OF the age.
progress and labor-saving devices, to wan
der away from home and friends In search
OF employment, fate even decreeing that
he shall be denied chance to earn bread,
and finally without the price Of q meal,
hunger forces sensitive nature to our
back doors for something to eat.
In all candor, wish to ask, Is It not
our duty not only from q moral standpoint
but from selfish dollar-and-cent stand
point, as good. law abiding citizens OF the
city and the state. to act as unit on this
question OF eight hours and no more for
days work? Should not our motto be live
and let live. and IL You please. practice a
little bit OF the principle enunciated by
Mrs. Catherine A. Tingley. Universal
Brotherhood, or the Golden Rule Of thu
Shfist. BARNEY