The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-20
wage FARMERS OUTING
Plans for the Observance of Labor
Day Nearing Completion.
Excursions of Local Workingmen to
Marshall Hall and River View
Origin of the CeIebration-States
and Territories That HIVE Legal
lied 1.-THE Action of Congress.

The members of organized labor in the
District are looking forward with great
interest to the coming of Labor Day. which
T always falls on the first Monday In Sep
tenber Of each year. The Knights of La
Dor and the members OF the bodies afIil-
lated with the American Federation
Of Labor, the two great rival or
ganizations of wage earners in the
world, are equally interested in the occa-
sion, which is recognized by the toilers as
the workingman's national holiday. The
credit of the suggestion OF setting aside
one day in the year as a general holiday
for the wage earners is given to P. J. Nc
Guire. of New York, a member OF the
United Brotherhood OF Carpenters. In the
month of May. 1882. he suggested the idea
at a meeting of the Central Labor Union
of New York City, and the first Monday
in September following was celebrated as
Labor Day in that city. Soon after the
movement was endorsed by the order OF
the Knights of Labor and the American
Federation CT Labor which is composed of
trades un.onist organizations throughout
the world. 1t was not until five years lat
er, however. that the Legislature OF New
York passed a law making the first Mon
day in September a general holiday in that
State. During the same year several 9TH
er States took similar action, and in 1894
Congress declared the day a national holi-
day in the District of Columbia.
Forty five Of the States and Territories
have, by legislative action, legalized the
first Monday in September OF each yesf
as general holiday. These and the dates
upon which action were taken are:
Alabama. December II, 1892; California,
March %. 1888; Colorado. March Is. 1887;
Connecticut. March 20. 1889; Delaware.
February II, 1893; District of Columbia,
June 2s. 1884; Florida. April 20, 1893; Geor-
gia, October 16, 1891; Illinois. June II.
1891; Indiana, March ., 1891; Iowa, April
5. 1890; Kansas. March f. 1891 Louisiana,
July Z. 1892: Maine, February 10, 1891;
Massachusetts, May IL. 1887; Minnesots,
April is. 1898; Missouri, April 9, 1895;
Montana. March 4, 1891; Nebraska, darch
20, 1889; New Hampshire, March 81. 1891:
New Jersey. April s. 1887; New York, May
6. 1887; Ohio, April 2S. 1890; Oregon. Feb
ruary p. 1887; Pennsylvania, April 25,
1883; Rhode Island. May 20, 1893: South
Carolina, December %, 1891; Tennessee,
March IL, 1891; Texas, February IL, 1893;
Utah, February %, 1892; Virginia, Feb
ruary 5, 1892; Washington. February "a,
1891; Wisconsin. April 70, 1898. Maryland,
North Dakota. South Dakota, West Vir-
ginia, Arkansas Idaho Kentucky. Michi-
gan. Mississippi. Nevada. North Carolina.
Vermont, and Wyoming have also passed
laws recognizing the day as a general hoIi-
day.
For several years before the day was
recognized as a national holiday in the
District 1t was celebrated by the members
of the local Brieklayers' Union, and in
September, 1894. it was first celebrated By
organized labor generally. On that ocea-
sion the observance was in the form of a
street parade. in which over 5000 Of the
members of organized labor took part. In
the year following the Knights of Labor
and the trades unionists. owing to local |
differences, celebrated the occasion sep /
arateiy with street parades and excur- !
sions. On that occasion the Knights of !
LABOR spent the afternoon at Marshall Hall |
and the trades unionists at Rive- View. |
Since 1898 street parades have not been |
features Of the celebration Of Labor Day.
This is due to two causes. First. the wage |
earners do not deem 1t advisable to show |
their strength in this way, and again be-
cause street parade in the middle of the |
day is anything but restful and inspiring
TO those who participate II is not Il. /
keeping with the intentions of those who |
suggested the setting aside of one day in |
the year as general holiday for the toll
ers of all classes trades, and crafts. II
was to be day Of rest. day which the I
laborer could spend with his family. All
IaDor was to cease except such az the /
running. of steam and street cars steam !
boats. and other work which tends to the |
general convenience and comfort of tho |
public 1t was to be the one day of the /
year Which the wage Garner could call his 1
own.
In large cities the organizations unite /
IN celebrating the workingman's national /
holiday. Such is the case in Washington
Since 1893 the Knights OF Labor under |
the auspices of District Assembly No. &C. /
nave spent Labor Day at Marshall Hall |
me Knights are Joined in their ceIebra- |
lion OF the day by a number OF other local
organizations which are not represented |
in the District Assembly. The knights and
their friends leave the city during the |
early part OF the day. The committee in |
cHarse OF arranging for the pleasure and |
comfort Of the excursioni5ts have always !
been successful in providing plenty of
amusement for those who participate in
their celebration. For some time past the
committee appointed by District Assembly
No. 90 has been busily engaged In ar /
ranging plans for the observance of the |
coming Labor Day. So far, it is said. the
committee has met with great success, and
it Is believed that the celebration this
year will surpass all previous efforts. both
in the number which will participate and
in the quantity and quality of entertain
ment and amusement offered
As in years past the trades unionists |
under the auspices of the Central Labor
Union, will celebrate the day at River |
View. The committee appointed by the |
union to arrange for the entertainment of |
the trades unonists and their friends have |
nearly completed their plans. and feel |
confident that the occasion will be !
greater success this year than heretofore /
Final arrangements will not he completed |
by either the Knights OF Labor or the |
trades unionists until next week
RAlDED BY THE POLICE.