A SIX HOUR LAW. 267 



must be left to work out questions relating to the 

 welfare of the employed." These are not questions 

 of simple morality, nor primarily so, but of material 

 subsistence ; as is the manufacturer's bank account a 

 matter of finance, but not of Christianity. The work- 

 ingman can not feed his wife and family upon good 

 advice, tracts, and homilies, however abundant they 

 may be, or excellent their quality. There is far more 

 of nourishment to be obtained from the crumbs that 

 fall from the rich man's table than from the great 

 loaves of "moral influences and forces" so liberally 

 distributed. 



Another believes that " legislative interference will 

 increase the burdens and be a direct blow to the rights 

 and liberties of the laboring classes." Inasmuch as 

 the laboring classes form a large majority of the peo- 

 ple, and that whatever legislation is obtained will be 

 in response to their demand, any little inconveniences 

 of that kind may safely be left to work out their nat- 

 ural results. As the increase of burdens and loss of 

 rights and liberties will be confined to the laboring 

 class, it is difficult to see what call is made upon the 

 employers to protect them from these anticipated 

 evils. It certainly is an unexpected exhibition of re- 

 markable philanthropy on their part. 



Such are the reasons and arguments offered in op- 

 position to legislation in behalf of the working classes. 

 Arguments that will not bear the slightest examina- 

 tion. Indeed, every fact that has been brought to 

 the surface in the great development of our present 

 economic and social conditions, point to the absolute 

 necessity that exists for some organized action that 



