The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-22
In Labor's
Field.

THE Eislt-Hour Day" was the sub
ject of discussion yesterday afternoon at
Assembly hall 1t was well filled, being
the regular semi-monthly meeting of the
city ministers with representatives of
various local unions. The Citizens Or
chestra, composed of union musicians,
was present, and gave several excellent
numbers under the leadership of Mr..
Pruener. Rev. George E. Soper, of
Plymouth Congregational church, was
introduced by Mr. A. E. Donaldson.
DR.. Soper said that he had become
greatly interested in the recent movement
for eight hours, and sincerely hoped that
much good might come from it. For one
he still had great faith in the goodness
Of man. Quoting from Ella Wheeler VIII
cox, whom DR.. Soper described as one of
the great theologians, although woman,
he said there were but two classes of
people in the world, the one who lift
and the ones who lean. And there was,
unfortunately, but one who lifted to
twenty who leaned. The man who shirk-
ed his responsibility was not good man.
1t was Impossible for him to be so. IT
bwn share of the burdens Of society. Mr..
soper continued:
The eight-hour day of labor is In the
direction of higher manhood and civil
Eation. Men who spend so much of their
time at hard labor as to deplete their en-
ergies and exhaust their nervous force
have little inclination to read, or study,
Dr. do anything that will increase their
mental or moral stock. The only thing
that attracts them Is that which will
give a stimulant. 1.-The factory bell has
silenced the voice of prayer in the homes
of the working men Of England" Moth
ing but rare conscientiousness and long
habit will keep tired people where they
will take advantage of the privileges Of
religion.
Manhood and womanhood is the richest
and rarest product of a nation. The
physical and mental and moral alertness
fostered in the common schools and
churches of the United States must be
carried forward in our industrial affairs
to be of greatest advantage. Patience.
industry, skill and courage are of more
value than machines, even in economic
affairs. The quality and the quantity Of
our industrial products depends more
upon the kind of men employed than
upon any other thing. Nothing can per-
manently advance industrial production
that causes a retrograde Of manhood and
womanhood. Honest, sober, self-reliant
and skillful men, who are well paid, well
fed and clothed, happy in their home life,
quantity of material products in shop
and on the farm, as well as in the bank
and school.
The savage is the man with leisure,
but with little else. 1T perceive that
you have no aristocracy in your coun-
try said a foreigner travelling In the
United States a few years ago, to a
bright American woman. What do you
mean by aristocracy?" inquired the lady.
"People that do not work for living
30, yes we have plenty of that class,
only we call them tramps."
The slave is the man that has no
leisure that he can call his own. He
lives under the eye of a taskmaster. He
has no real love for his work, and there
fore TO skill. At night he is jaded out
by drudgery and very likely has little
interest in anything except what will
stimulate his body and give a kind Of
animal pleasure. He is not, in his own
eyes, and cannot be in the eyes Of others,
a self-respecting citizen.
The youth educated in our public
schools feels himself degraded unless his
calling in life allows him time and
strength to read and think, and energy
with which to enjoy, in healthy way,
Gods beautiful world, and to do good to
others.
A manufacturer recently said to me: