Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-04
THE ORIGIN OF LABOR DAY
EXPLAINED BY COL. PEARRE IN
SPEECH YESTERDAY.
Robert Price Of Homecoming. Mary.
land, Coined the Term Way
Rack in 1892.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
CUMBERLAND. Md. September 4.--Co.
George A. Pearre, who spoke at the Labor
day picnic here yesterday, was heartily
received. After ne had finished his ad-
dress he was surrounded by the iaboring
men, who showered him with congratuia-
tions. Three thousand people attended the
picnic
Col. Pearre said in part: . The suggestion
Of this day as a holiday began as far back
as 1882. In that year the knights OF Labor
convened in general assembly in New York
city. The Central Labor Union Of New
York, an Independent organization, con-
tained many bodies affiliated with the
knights of Labor, and this union Joined In
q union parade September s. when the
knights were in session. The general aa.
Gembly of the knights Of Labor was In
vited to review the parade. AS the various
organizations passed by Robert Price OF
Lonaccring. Nd. said to the general
worthy foreman of the Knights Of Labor:
"This is Labor day in earnest, Uncle
Dick" Since then this day has always
been referred to as Labor day, so named
by Robert Price of this state and county.
The workingmen Of Maryland, therefore,
and especially those of this county, should
take a deep local interest in the celebration
of this day. 1t gives you, my friends. an
opportunity to mingle together in social in
tercourse and to discuss with each other
new plans for the betterment Of your con-
dition and your general welfare.
Labor day Is only one OF the results OF
many of the well-drected efforts OF labor
organiZa tionS. By united effort they nave
secured the passage of salutary laws in the
state of Maryland, namely, the law prohib-
iting the employment of children In rae
tories under the age OF twelve years; the
law making ten hours of work a day legal
day; the act prohibiting the use in manu-
facture of any goods which are apt to COM
disease to the Workingmen, and
prohibiting the employment In factories of
any one suffering from contagious disease,
and requiring in such factories the temper
ature to be not higher than so degrees dur
ing certain season of the year, and prohib-
iting the employment OF workingmen In
rooms in which light was furnished by ar
tificial means between am. and 4 pm;
the by-weekly pay law; the law giving a
preference over other creditors in cases of
insolvency to labor employees of three
months wages. and many other salutary
laws.
Upon the urgent request Of labor organ
iZations, national legislation has been Sc
cured authorizing the incorporation of labor
unions; limiting day of labor for govern
ment employees to eight hours. The last
House of Representatives passed bill pro-
hibiting the use of convict goods made by
the government, thereby destroying COM
petition between convict labor and honest
labor.
Without organization the laboring men Of
the United States would never have been
able to secure the passage Of these laws
their organizations they have
made these just demands upon the national
Congress and the state legislatures, and
have succeeded.
The wisdom Of salutary laws judiciously
limiting the age at which child labor can
be employed is thereby made manifest. All
other nations are governed by the classes
The United States is governed by the COM
izens. Morality based upon Christianity
and education are the twin corner stones
of the republic. Upon them rest the ends
Of the arch whose keystone is patriotism,
and upon that unbending. unyielding struc-
ture rests the magnificent fabric Of our free
government.