The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-09

ances are intelligently presented to Con-
gress they Will be reInedied by legislative
action.
If this subject-matter and the bill it,
self had not received ample discussion,
l should hesitate TO make the suggestion
now do; that is. to favor the proposition
now pending in the Senate and which will
be before that body for consideration to-
morrow, Wednesday, June 6, 1900, to dis
charge the Senate Committee on Educa-
ton and Labor from further consideration
of the Eight-hour bill and the Prison La
Dor bill, and put them on their passage.
For the above reasons, and in the
name of the workers OF our country. both
organized and unorgan!zed, l earnestly be-
seech you to work and vote to secure the
passage Of these bills
EiGht-Hour Legislation.
The subject of eight-hour legisla-
ton is treated by Mr. Gorham, an ex-
Republican and author of the Democratic
Campaign Book" as follows:
Although the Republican party was or
ganized in 1856 for the protection of free
white labor in the Territories against the
introduction of slave labor, and prevailed
in 1860 on that ISSUE many of its leaseTs
soon forgot the ladder on which they had
mounted, and large and constantly in
creasing section Of the Republican party
became especially engrossed In looking out
for the interests of the Government con-
tractors and bond syndlcates. Great for
tunes were made in the war, and those
who had made them made their Influence
felt in further schemes for the accumuia
tion of wealth. The workmen of the coun-
try looked for friendship to the party Of
I IN nd Hr.tI fh.r. afrrt,t fn-. he
their friend and was supposed by them 20
be all-powerful.
During the year after the war an agi-
tation was commenced among them for an
eight-hour work day for laborers and me-
chanics employed on Government work.
During that year and the two succeeding
ones several bills were introduced making
eight hours a working day for all such
work. In 1866 Mr.. Rogers, a Democratic
Representative from New Jersey. intro
duced an eight-hour bill, which was re-
ferred TO the Republican Committee on the
Judiciary, where 1t died Mr. Niblack. a
Democratic Representative from Indiana,
introduced a joint resolution declaring
eight hours legal days work for Govern
ment laborers. This met with the same
fate. In the Senate In 1867 Mr., Brown of
Missouri a Republican, introduced an
eight-hour bill, which was referred TO the
committee on Naval Affairs. Ii was re-
ported back by Senator Grimes, a Repub-
lican of Iowa. who moved that the com
mittee be discharged from its further con-
sideration. The motion was agreed to and
the bill thereby defeated
The House and Senate at that time
were largely Republican. March a. 1867,
Mr.. Julian, Republican Representative
from Indiana introduced an eight-hour
bill. II was referred to the Committee on
the judiciary. where it died. Later in the
month Representative Banks, Republican
from Massachusetts, introduced an eight
hour bill, which was PASSED by the House.
The bill was sent TO the Senate and after
considerable debate was referred TO the
Committee on Finance, Of which Senator
John Sherman, a Republican from Ohio,
was chairman. 1t died a. lingering death
in his committee General Banks intro
duced a similar bill at the next session in
January, 1868.
Opposed by Republicans.
THE bill passed on the same day. 1t
went to the Senate al once, where 1t was
laid on the table On the Sd of June,
1865, Senator Hendricks of Indiana NOV
ed to take 1t up fog consideration, and
made an earnest speech in favor of his
motion. The Senate refused to take the
bill up at that time. on the Gath OF June.
lx a. fora n sf