Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-09-13
Kansas Politics
LABOR LEGISLATION.

There is no better way of deter
mining the real attitude of a political
party upon any public question than
by examining the legislation passed
by that party upon the subject.
The republican party has always
claimed to be the friend of the labor
ing man and an examination of the
legislation upon this subject either
by the national congress or by the
several state legislatures, will carry
out this claim Upon the subjects in
which the laboring man is particular
ly interested, the record shows that
in states where republicans are in
control, legislation has been passed
upon these matters in a much larg-
er proportion than in the states con-
trolled by the democratic party.
A few instances will demonstrate
the truth of this proposition. In 81
states labor bureaus have been estab-
ished by the state legislatures at the
instance of the laboring men. Of
these states, 21 are republican and
10 are democratic. In the matter of
factory inspection the record shows
that 20 out of 81 republican states
have established a system of inspec-
ton of factories, while only out of
IS democratic states have passed such
laws One of the subjects in which
the laboring men have been especially
interested is in establishing shorter
hours for a days labor upon public
work. So far there have been laws
of this kind passed by 81 legislatures
and of these 16 are republican and
five democratic. The use of child la
Dor in factories is not matter of
such personal interest in the west as
it is in the larger cities of the east,
but all laboring men who have made
study of the subject are interested
in legislation against the use of child
labor. 1t is a principle recognized
in all civilized countries that children
of tender age should not be employed
in factories but should be in the pub
lie schools. In our country, PA of the
As states have passed laws prohibit
ing the employment of children I'M
der IL years of age. Of these "a
states, IS are republican and six dem
ocratic. In other words, two-thirds
of all the republican states have
passed such laws, while only one
third of the democratic states have
legislated upon this subject. Twenty
two states have prohibited the en-
ployment of children under IL years
of age in mines, and of these, 16 are
republican and six democratic.
Another subject upon which labor
ing men have sought to have legis-
lation passed is the matter of pro-
viding seats for employees in the
stores where they are compelled to
stand at counter or bench. Twenty
six states have 1egislated upon this
subject. OF these IS are republican
and eight democratic.
One of the greatest hardships to
those who labor, and at the same
time a menace to the public health,
is the system of sweat-shops in use
in the eastern factories, where large
numbers of men and women are
crowded into poorly-ventilate rooms
and compelled to work under the
most unsanitary conditions imagin-
able. This has been a subject upon
which the laboring men have exerted
their utmost endeavors to better the
conditions. The number of states
having legislated upon this subject
is comparatively small because in
many states the system is not in use
Twelve states have enacted laws pro-
hibiting sweat-shops. OF these IL
states, ten are republican and two
are democratic.
For many years corporations were
in the habit of paying their employees
in orders upon company stores or
by the issuance of script that usually
had to be discounted. At present, 21
states have laws prohibiting this
practice and compelling the payment
of laboring men in cash or its equiv
alent. Thirteen of these states are
republican and one democratic. The
same record holds good upon other
subjects of interest to the laboring
men, 1t shows that the laboring
men of this country may safely APP
peal to the republican party for any
looking to the correction
of evils OF the advancement of their
own best interests.