Year: 1879




The young people of the mills generally
read the story papers, published (most Of
them) in New York city, and devoted 10
interminably continued narratives, of
which there are always three or four in
process of publication in each paper.
have read some of these stories. They
have usually no very distinct educational
quality or tendency, good or bad They
are simply stories,-vapid. silly, turgid
and incoherent. As the robber heroes
are mostly grand looking fellows, and all
the ladies have white hands and splendid
attire, it may be that some of the readers
find hard work more distasteful because
of their acquaintance with the gorgeous
idlers and thieves, who. in these fictions,
are always SO much more fortunate than
the people who are honest and induslri-
Gus. But usually, rs | am convinced by
much observation. the only effect of this
kind of reading is that it serves "to pass
away the lime," by supplying kind of
entertainment, stimulus or opiate for
the mind, and that these people resort to it
and feel necessity for it in much the
same way that others feel they must have
whisky or opium. The reading is a mar.
cotic, but it is less pernicious than those
Just named.


Many hundreds of the older operatives,
especially foreigners, of two or three na-
tionalities, were reading a paper which is
devoted 10 the liberation Of the working
people of America. It's principal literary
attraction at this time is IL very long serial
story of the overthrow of the republic in
1RSn 'IhiC xyriftap as If tla nc
which form tine subject of the narratives
had already occurred. 1t introduces Gen.
Grant as dictator, and describes elaborate
y the character and effects of the terrible
despotism which he establishes, in that
year. upon the ruins of popular govern
ment. He "suppresses congress, seizes
New York city at the head OF an armed
force and by the assistance of the capi-
talsts or money power of the coun-
try, and is about TO make himself emper-
or, when the working people rise In arms.
under the direction OF nameless leader,
"a man with the executive intellect of
Cesar, Napoleon and bismarck, and the
lofty impulses OF l-eonldas, Clnclnnatus
and Washington" 10 continue the de-
scriptlon OF thls parsonage he was
man of huge bulk and Drawn. His head
WAS the size and shape OF Daniel Web
ster's whom he great y resembled, except
IN being OF The blonde type. HIS awful
gray eyes had power in them far beyond
that OF the orbs OF the indolent Webster. !"


1he worklngmen, soldiers OF the new
revolution, are instructed by their hero to
supply their own needs from the abundant
stores OF their neighbors, giving them re-
ceipts in the name OF the revolution for
the property thus torcibly appropriated.
They accordingly seize the national banks,
and help themselves to MS much money as
they desire. Ihls story is read with deep
interest by many OF the older operatives,
especially those who were Interested IN
labor reform. The paper containing 1t
prints each week II declaration OF prlncl-
pies, which afilrms that the government
should hold all the land OF lhe nation; ;
that it should be without price ttbe free
use OF as much rs he can cultivate beng
secured TO every mani; that ground rents
OF towns and cities should be controlled
! by government; that gold and silver
should be demonetized, and that in their
stead absolute paper money should be is
sued by the government; that interest on
money should be forbidden; that all
mines. railroads and highways should be
owned and controlled by the government;
that the government ought not to inter
fere for the collection OF debts between
individuals, but that the payment OF debts
should be left entirely to the honor OF the
debtor. There should be an income TAX
on all incomes above one thousand dol


lars, growing heavier Tor lar ger sums.
Eight hours labor should be legal day s
work, and the Senate OF the United States
should be abolished. Recently the paper
has devoted much space to the advocacy
of " the right OF the people to free tray
ell the government shou own the