Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-09-08


but II this expansion can only be realized
by the industrial enslavement OF our
women and children as outlined by this
expansion commission. then it would Dc
more to the credit Of the State to return
to its primitive condition and remain un-
developed. "Dirigo." IT Lead is the
proud motto Of our State. but we must
take down that sign II the doctrine ad-
vanced by this new parliament Is taken
seriously. The people opposed to the
nine-hour day had q fair hearing before
the Legislature and every argument that
could be advanced was impressed upon
the committee by their attorneys. but tho
sentiment of the members OF both
branches was that In this age of progress
sion 81 hours was long enough for women
and children to work, especially under the
conditions that prevail In the most OF our
manufacturing industries, and the bill
passed by a unanimous vote.
No friend Of the 54-hour bill can con-
sistently object to the action OF the man.
ufacturers In appealing to the referendum
as they were we'll within their rights In
doing so, but they certainly have poor
opinion Of the intelligence Of Maine vot-
by the conglomeration of ghost stories
that have been distributed from their lit
erary bureau here In Augusta. The
farmer Is the especial object of their
solicitude and for him they predict utter
disaster if the women and children are
released from the fetters that hold them
in industrial bondage. 1t is true that
children brought up on farm have TO
work from an early age, but with what
result?
1t is common knowledge that many OF
our most prominent men, not few, but
a great many Of them, have come from
the farm, and they themselves have told
US how hard they worked. how unfortu-
nate were some of the conditions under
which they existed, but these conditions
seem to have done nothing more for these
men than to give them a rugged physique
and to give them opportunity for mental
development which has enabled them to
rise above their fellows. Where are the
graduates Of the factories? There is no
record Of them in literature, science, art
or politics, and l do not believe that they
are there to be found to any extent If at
ALL
Summed up briefly, the situation is this:
In the industrial battle for shorter hours
of labor and a living wage. women and
children are holding the advanced
trenches and bearing the brunt of the
battle. Will the chivalry of the manhood
Of Maine permit this condition to con-
tinueo No, there is no sentiment in this
proposition and don't believe that there
is voter in Maine, but that will agree
with me when / say: If industrial ex-
pansion can only be attained by human
sacrifice. II suffering sorrow and i'll
health the results of unremittng toll and
low wages must be the price paid, then
in the name of the civilization of the 2oth
century, place the burden upon the shoul-
ders of the men: women and children
have no organization through which to
protect themselves and they are consid>
cred to be weakIings when it comes to
exercising the right of suffrage
/ appreciate the Importance of affirm
ing the 54-hour law, but l do not agree
with the promoters of the statement that
has been sent out from this city as Dem
ocratic convincing campaign literature,
that the 54-hour law is the biggest and
most important question for the voters to
act on at the September election. This is
one of the misleading methods that is be-
ing used to draw the attention of the vot-
ers from the important issues of the cam
paign. The great vital question that IS
now awaiting the endorsement of the Vot-
ers, the issue that should appeal to the
intelligence of every man interested in
the great moral uplift of the human fam
ily Is the election of State government
that will give its best efforts to enforce
and command respect for the laws Of
the State. especially the prohibitory law.
Enforce the provisions of this law to the
extent of prohibiting the sale Of rum and
all of it's devilish soul-and-body destroy
ing connections, and we have gone long
way toward solving the labor problem
and every other problem that cries aloud
for ameliorating conditions.
Abolish the liquor curse and there will
be no need of many women and chill
dren becoming industrial wage slaves
Take this class of labor from the COM
petitive labor field that are forced there
through necessity caused by booze and t
will naturally create demand for male
adult help. This will mean higher wages
and less hours of toll for all wage earn
ers. Enforce the laws In all parts Of the
State honestly, impartially and effectively
so that this home destroying octopus and
its law-defying dispensers will be out
lawed and socially ostracised and we will
bring gladness TO many a sorrowing
mothers heart, children will be clothed
and fed and have the opportunity to go
to school, which Is now denied to them.
If the money that Is wasted on liquor IN
this State under the protection and en-
couragement Of multiplying sworn officials
of the law was expended In legitimate
trade, for home comforts and the neces-
sites Of life, our manufacturing indus
tries, agriculture and all other forms Of
business including the retail trade, would
experience a boom far beyond the COM
prehension Of the Maine Industrial Ex-
pansion Commission. 1t would mean
more to us locally than the locating with
us Of some large industrial plant. Vote
YES, on the 54-hour bill.
THOS. J. LYONS.
Wednesday Brighton Market.