The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-22
COPYRIGHT 1895 BY THE PROCTOR GAMBLE encMSAT.

Operatives have too much leisure now.
They spend their leisure in Matching up
new grievances and in drink and dissipa-
tion.' Everything depends upon how a
man uses his leisure as to whether 1t will
be a blessing or a curse. Those who use
their time in healthy recreations of body
and mind and soul will be all the more
valuable for their rest. They will como
to their work fresh and vigorous and
clear-headed to render the best kind of
service. While those who come with
bleared eyes and unsteady steps will dis
grace intelligent labor and disgust every
decent employer
The eight-hour day is in the direction
Of a better government "of the people, by
the people and for the people, No
other government on earth depends so
much for it's progress upon the intelli-
gence and moral perception of it's people
as that of the United States. Here every
lazy and drunken and vicious citizen is
menace to the general good. Here, too,
every honest man is a positive factor for
good Here every institution that fosters
manhood and character is a safeguard to
the public veal Numerous objections
can be raised, and specious arguments
presented, against the eight-hour day, but
If it is found to be in the direction of
higher manhood, a purer home life, and
a stronger and higher government of the
people, then in time all these difficulties
will be overcome and the right will pre-
vail.'''
DR.. Soper was followed by Mr. Thomas
Ward eX-secretary of the National
Stonecutters' Association of America.
Mr.. Ward said, in part -
Thirty five years ago a. body Of or
ganized labor in New York notified their
employers that in the future eight hours
CHI if,,+a 20 rrly
were successful in their demands. To the
stonecutters' union Of New York belonged
the credit of originating the first move
ment in this country for the eight-hour
system. Eight hours day Is q sufficient
length of time for a man to work In
any occupation. There are reasons for
grievances between capital and labor, but
the eight-hour day question Is not one
of them 1t Is as much to the benefit of
the employer as it is to the laboring man.
I know of number of business houses
that have adopted the eight-hour sys-
tenn, who would not now return to ten
hours. ,~-ps.a st
ITO the cigarmakers international
union belongs the credit for inaugurating
the eight-hour system In the second
place. For years they have enjoyed the
full benefits of the PLAN Employers used
to look upon the movement with con-
tempt. NOW IL Is QlHerent. Ihere are
far worse dangers threatening this coun-
try than the eight-hour movement. The
loyalty of organized labor to the eight
hour idea had been remarkable. Today
1t is one of the most prominent questions
before the American people. A certain
Englishman travelling in the country, re-
Gently, stated to me that eight hours
labor here was better than nine or ten
in England. American workmen are
more rapid and more earnest. There is a
vast difference between trusts and labor
organizations Intelligent labor is not like
a trust, saying you must pay SO much,
but it says let us reason upon the mat
ter. The eight-hour system is the key
which will unlock many Of the social
problems of the day.
Frank Valesh, of Graceville now on
his way to Washington, was present, and
followed Mr.. Ward with some ringing
words of cheer anent the eight-hour
movement. Rev. David Morgan also gave
a short personal sketch of early efforts to
reduce the hours of labor from fifteen to
twelve.