>From "The Meaning of the Eight Hour Movement" by Ira Steward, 1868:
"A reduction of Hours means more than an Increase of Wages. It means a more equal and just Distribution of Wealth. For, to increase Wages, without increasing the cost of Production, is a more equal Distribution of Wealth. "A better Distribution of Wealth, means, at the same time, the gradual eradication of. Speculation, Idleness, Public Debts, Interest, Fashionable extravagance, Woman's endless Drudgery and Low wages, Prostitution, Intemperance, Corrupt Legislation, Land Monopoly, Polygamy and War. "Human life will be lengthened, less time will be lost in attending the sick, woman will become far more healthy, as well as beautiful, and men, as well as women, will be placed more upon their good behavior. "Amusements will be made to- "serve to second too some other use." "Wealth will increase, while Capitalists as we now understand them will be known no more forever; for the Laborer and the Capitalist will be One! Beyond the power or the necessity, at present, of the imagination to conceive, are the blessings, without number, which will grow up among us, when we turn our footsteps in this direction...." "We believe that the trial of the Eight Hour system will so thoroughly falsify the predictions of its enemies, and so fully justify the claims of its friends, that within ten years of its adoption by the Legislation of the country, there will be 'a call for the Six Hour system to complete what Eight Hours and succeeding Reforms have left undone in the Distribution of Wealth. "With Six Hours a day and one session for Labor, all industries will glide naturally and almost insensibly into Co-operation. The commonest or the most obscure Laborer will live, if he chooses, in dwellings as beautiful and as convenient as any which are now monopolized by the Wealthy Classes. "Money Panics and failures will become as impossible as Famines. "The 'Nation will engage in the peaceful discussion of its moral and material problems.' "The great people, no longer in vassalage to the 'Money-power' of our Age, will move on and on, higher and still higher, illuminating the whole earth with their Wisdom and Love." -- Sandwichman _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
