Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-10-05
assimilable elements from other races.
The importance of foreign laborers
under contract was first prohibited in

lollS IOl euiOICluS tue law, SouIAAuOe
almost unchecked until the amend
ments made in President Harrison's
administration (Acts of the Fifty-frst
congress, which was Republican in
both branches, and of the Fifty-second
4 congress, signed March 3, 1891, and
March 3. 1898, respectively
The Republican party has increased
the restrictions upon the immigration
Of cheap foreign labor in the new law
of 1903. tAct passed by the Fifty
/ seventh congress, both houses being
/ controlled by the Republicans. and
! signed by President Roosevelt March
3, 1909.
Convict Labor-The law abolishing
the contract system of labor for Unit.
ed States convicts passed the house
March 9, 1886, and the senate Febru-
airy %, 1887. All the votes against the
bill were Democratic.
Protection of Seamen-This was &C.
complished by the Forty-second con.
gress, when both houses were Repub.
lican, and the Forty-third congress
also Republican.
Inspection of Coal Mines in the Ter
ritories-Provided for by the Fifty-first
congress, both houses being under the
control of the Republicans; approved
by President Harrison
Safety Appliances on Railroads.
The original act providing for auto
matte couplers and power brakes on
locomotives and cars used in interstate
traffic was passed by the Fifty-second
congress, and signed by President Har.
rison March 2, 1898. Owing to decis-
ions of courts, new legislation became
necessary, and the Fifty-seventh con-
gress (Republican) passed a greatly
improved law, which was signed py
President Roosevelt March 2, 1903.
Eight Hour Law-The first eight
hour law in this country was enacted
by the Fortieth congress and APPROX
ed by President Grant in 1868. 1t
applied to all artisans and laborers
employed by the government.
In the Fiftieth congress 1SSS) the
eight hour day was established for lei.
ter carriers. The bill passed the SEN
ate, which was Republican, without
division
In President Harrison administra-
ton the eight hour law was extended
to include persons employed by con-
tractors on public works. (Chap. 352
of the Acts of 1922.
Department of Labor-The act Gre
ating the United States Bureau of La.
Dor was passed by the Forty-eighth
congress (1SS4) and signed by Presi-
dent Arthur. In the Fiftieth congress
0SSS) the bureau was removed from
the Department of the Interior and
made an Independent Department of
Labor, all the votes cast against the
bill being Democratic. In 1903 a Re-
publican congress established the De-
partment of Commerce and Labor and
made its head a cabinet officer.
Boards of Arbitration-Act passed
at the Fifty-fifth congress (Republican)
and signed by President Mckinley
June l, 1898.
Inspection of Mines-Public inspec-
ton of mines is required on the same
grounds as inspection of factories
The tables show that fifteen of the
twenty-eight Republican states and
nine of the seventeen Democratic
states have established this service.
Child LabOr-Ever since the intro
duction Of the factory system, over
century ago, the greatest sufferers
from the greed of inconsiderate and
cruel employers have been the help
less children, who often at a tender
age are placed in factories. 1t is
principle recognized in all civilized
countries that children under ~ years
OF age should not be employed in fac
tories, and nearly all civilized coun.
tries have laws placing a minimum
age limit Of y or ii years upon such
child labor. In our country % states
absolutely prohibit the employment of
children under II years of age in fac
tories. OF these 10 are Republican
and nine are Democratic states. OF
these - Republican states, II have
factory inspection services to see that
The laws are enforced, while only four
OF these nine Democratic states make
provision for such inspection.
Many states have enacted laws plac-
ing certain restrictions upon the en-
ployment of children, usually under IL
years OF age, and in some cases even
upon the employment of all minors.
or this class are laws limiting the
hours of labor of children in factories
or stores. which have been enacted in
- states. OF these 10 are Republican
and eight are Democratic states.
Twenty eight states have placed re-
strlctions upon the employment of
children of school age or of illiterate
children, of which % are Republican
and six are Democratic
Thirteen states prohibit the employ
ment of children or minors in places
where intoXicants are sold or handled