Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-09-04
L1BOR's HOLIDAY.


In all but three or four Of the states
I and in the territories the first Monday
in September is now a legal holiday and
is as firmly established as any other
holiday observed in America. Yet 1t
was not until 1889 that the first big pa
rade Of organized labor was held in New
York on the FIRST Monday of September
and only in 1884 was the suggestion
made and adopted that all future pa
rades Of the knights Of Labor and other
organizations Of like nature should take
place on that day. At the same time 1t
was decided to call the first Monday of
the first fall month Labor day. The
movement to make it legal holiday fol
lowed quickly. In 1887 Colorado led the
way and New Jersey, New York and
Massachusetts, soon followed the Cen
tennial state. In a dozen years nearly
all of the states had recognized the pro-
priety and wisdom of creating a new
holiday in honor Of the wage-earners of
America. Now everybody shares in the
freedom and pleasure of the holiday won
by labor.
The wage earners are the only class
Of the community that have a holiday for
the promotion OF their own interests.
The mechanic alone has holiday Of his
own. This celebration is a wholesome
and a stimulating one. Next to agri-
cultural labor, the labor Of mechanics
is the foundation OF national prosperity,
and it is a good thing for the workmen
to take a day of, impress themselves
and the rest Of the community with their
numbers and their good discipline, and
direct public attention to the ranks of
industry. 1t awakens trade pride and
the selfrespect Of the men and IL is
Just compliment to that key to all civil
ization and progress-human labor.
1t is a highly gratifying fact that there
Is at this time general industrial peace.
A few local disturbances of the rela-
lions of employers and employed exist,
but there are no very serious conflicts
and none threatened, unless It be in the
attitude Of the anthracite coal miners,
who have begun agitation for an eight
hour day and recognition of their or
ganization by the operators. Every
where in this country labor is well en-
ployed and generally appears to be sat
isfied with its compensation, which in
most trades is better than ever before.
This is shown in the last report of the
New York department of labor, condi-
tons in that state fairly indicating those
Of other manufacturing states. The
general prosperity Of the working
classes is shown in the increased depos-
its Of savings banks. 1t is to be noted,
also, that there seems to be a greater
conservatism than formerly on the part
Of organized labor, tending to more
thoughtful deliberation upon questions
affecting the interests of labor and upon
issues arising between employers and
employed. The intelligent workingmen
Of today have better realization Of the
cost of conflict than did their predeces-
sors, and also a higher sense of their
duties and responsibilities to the public,
Thus while there is no abatement of zeal
| on the part OF organized LABOR IN pro-
noting the interests and welfare of
those in it's ranks, its efforts are con-
Quoted more wisely, judiciously and tenn
perately than in the past. The advance
that has taken place in this respect is re-
assuring for the future, 1t marks prog
ress toward the creation of relations be-
tween employer and employed that will
do away with bitter, prolonged and dis
astrous conflicts, not infrequently result.
ing from trivial differences. The United
States has the most intelligent and the
best paid labor in the world and our
high standard in this respect must be
maintained. That it shall be largely de-
ponds upon the workingmen themselves