A SIX HOUR LAW. 263 



prove disastrous, because of the competition that 

 would arise between the manufacturers in the States 

 with long hours, and those with short, resulting in 

 the destruction of the industries of the latter. If at- 

 tempted the power of competition would be brought 

 into action with the most deadly effect. It must be 

 evident to all that such would be the inevitable result. 



Consequently, the necessity for national action, if 

 any, being determined, we are brought to the consid- 

 eration of the question, Has Congress, under the Con- 

 stitution, power to legislate in this matter ? 



Here there is sure to be a conflict of opinion. But 

 I fail to discover on what ground that right can be 

 either consistently or constitutionally denied. Section 

 8, Chapter I, of the Constitution, declares that Con- 

 gress shall have the power, among other things, " to 

 pay the debts and provide for the common defense 

 and general welfare of the United States." I am well 

 aware that some take the position that the " general 

 welfare" clause is a provision of limitation and re- 

 striction. If Congress is not permitted to "provide 



for the general welfare of the United States," 



by the same process of interpretation it has no right 

 nor power " to pay the debts and provide for the com- 

 mon defense." These three distinct powers are clearly 

 given in one sentence, and covered by one and the 

 same provision ; they are all equally affirmative or 

 negative ; they must stand or fall together. The 

 only question that can possibly arise under these gen- 

 eral powers are as to what are " the debts," what are 

 the conditions that require provision " for the common 

 defense," and its nature ; and what constitutes " the 



