Evening Star Newspaper, September 2, 1895, Page 8

8 THE EVENING STAR, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1895-TWELVE PAGES. _ EE For Stomack Or Liver Troubles, Take YER’S Cathartic Pills. Received Highest Awards At Worild’s Fair. After sickness, take Ayer’s Sarsaparilla. IF THE BABY IS CUTTING TEETH BE SURE gnd use that oll and well-tried remedy, Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup, for children teething. It soothes the child, softens the gum, allays all in, cures wind colic and is the best remedy for tarrhoea. 25 cents a bottle. wel0-ly RECAMIER CREAM. Sample post patd On. recelpt of 25 cts. 131 West Bist st. H, Gransby of Memphis, Tenn., had a neer, Which ate two holes in the breas and Was pronounced incurable by the best phys! clans in New York. S.S.S. cured her permanent! THE MOST EFFICACIOUS STIMULANT TO EX- cite the appetite 1s Angosturs Bitters, the genu- ine of Dr. J. G. B. Siegert & Sons. At your dealers’. MYSTERIOUS - TIMBUCTOO Commerce and Prospects of the Great City in the Desert. Center of a Flourishing Trade, Which is Carried on Mainly by Means of Camels. Most of the supplement of a recent num- ber of the Paris Figaro is given up to the Niger valley and Timbuctoo. Situated at the gate of the desert, and being the point to which all the ways of the eastern Sa- hara converge, the city nas been the great mart of the desert and of central Africa. It has slowly decayed by reason of wars throughout a large part of the territory of which it bas been the metropolis. Other things also happened to hasten the decay of this mysterious city, so long closed to Europeans. The security of transactions disappeared in the city itself, and Foulahs and Touaregs fought over the right to lay the great market under tribute. Thirty- five years ago the Touaregs had their way, and then began for Timbuctoo a critical period, The highways of the Soudan were never less secure, and never did the com- merce of Timbuctoo encounter more diffl- culties in feeding itself from the territory of which the city had been the chief mart. Never was the city more severely pressed or more subject to exactions. The Touar- LABOR’S OWN DAY How the Toilers Came to Be Recog- nized in the Calendar. LEGISLATION IN MANY STATES The Meaning of Labor Day as In- terpreted by Mr. Powderly. THE NATIONAL LAW —_>—_—_. A little over a year ago—June 28, 1804— President Cleveland approved an act of Congress making the first Monday in Sep- tember of every year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia. Previous to this time the day had been celebrated here with much ceremony by the laboring men and had already become known by the now familiar term of Labor day. It needed only national recognition to make it one of the most important holidays of the year. Today the second celebration of the day in the District as a legal holiday took place, and it was marked by a parade of the various organizations affillated In the common cause and upholding the dignity of labor that will be memorable to those the lessons it will teach from the stand- point of observers. The origin of Labor day is ‘nteresting. September 5, 1882, the various labor organi- zations of New York city and vicinity pa- raded through the streets of Gotham and afterward held a picnic, at which addresses were made. At that time the Knights of Labor was a secret order and no work con- nected with it was conducted openly. Pub- le expressions of the members went out to the world in an indirect but none the less influential way, and the local assem- Jas. B. Sovereign. blies belonging to the order were repre- sented under different names in the Cen- tral Labor Union. On the day in question the general assembly was convened in the city, and its members were invited to re- view the parade. While the procession was passing the reviewing stand Robert Price of Lonaconing remarked to Richard Griffiths, then. general worthy foreman of the egs thrashed the cfty as with a fail. For | Knights of Labor, “This ts a labor day In the last twenty-five years they have| earnest, Uncle Dick.” From this the first reated it as a conquered city. The pepu-| Monday in September was perpetually lation had nothing to do but to fly before the army of pillagers whom the industry of Timbuctoo supported. The citizens are far from warlike. “We are women,” they Were not ashamed to say. ‘The emigration from the city has been large. There are left only from 7,000 to 10,000 inhabitants now that the French flag floats over the city. All those left are merchants—mea, women and children. The men give themselves up to the wholesale sade, the women and children to the re- The exterior commerce of Timbuctoo is divided into two distinct parts, that of the rorth and that of the south. The caravans of the north, laden with rock salt and Hu- ropean goods, come mostly from Morocco, though a few come from Touat and Gha- dames. European merchandise, except the sugar of Marszilles, is of English or Ger- man origin. White cottonades, of which there is an immense sale, bear the label of Hamburg. Guinea blue constitutes the ba- sis cf the importations of uch stuffs. Cloths tinted in red are much sought after in the markets of Timbuctoo. The decora- tion must be fn lines, straight or broken, according to the Arab taste. After stuffs come next in importance paper in reams, christened as Labor day. In 1883 the New York labor organizations paraded on that day of the week and the month, and in 1884, when the Central Labor Union of New York was discussing the question of parad- ing, George K. Lloyd, a Knight of Labor, moved that the first Monday in September be formally designated as Labor day. The resolution was unanimously adopted, and steps were Immediately taken for the pur- pose of getting the legislature to enact a law making Labor day a legal holiday for- ever. ? It Spread Rapfdly. The movement was quickly successful in New York state,and from there it extendod to other states with gratifying results, and at last received national recognition by its adoption in the District of Columbia, as descrited in the opening paragraph of this article. The first Monday in September ts also celebrated as Labor day in Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Geor:xi Mllinois, ‘Indiana, Yowa, Kansas, Ma! Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mis- sourl, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, tobacco boxes, groceries, pepper, clov2s,| Texas and Washington. The first Mon- silk, small pearls for embroidery and larger | day of October is Labor day in Cal- ones for necklaces, perfumes, knives, |ifornia and in Louisiana; the 25th needles, scissors, mirrors, girdles, teacups and teapots, tea and sugar. From Morocco come various African products and a few oriental fabrics. Amber and Coral. Amber, coral and carnelian also appear In the market of Timbuctoo. But rock salt is the cargo of more camels than any otner article. It comes from mines In the desert on the route to Morocco. It is in mathe- matical forms, welghing from thirty to thirty-five kilograms each, and the price of @ block of Timbuctoo ts from $5 to $9. In December last there arrived at Tim- buctoo 2,000 camels, carrying each about 18) kilograms of merchandise, or in the aggregate about 335 tons. December, Jan- uary and July are the months tn which more caravans arrive than at any other time, but they come and go the year round. ‘The caravans of the north never go south of Timbuctoo, while the traders from the south never pass beyond the city. The lat- ter come by the Niger and its tributaries in canoes or in flathcats. The great canoes of the Niger carry from twenty-five to thirty tons of merchandise. Water falls in the southeast, and merchandise is carried by oxen, by asses and upon the backs of men. These take boat on reaching the Niger. The city has three dependent boats on the Niger, but last vear so high was the water that the great canoes want up to Timbuctoo. Usually, when the water ts highest, merchandise is discharged at a port about nire miles below Timbuctoo, and the ports of debarkation vary with the con- dition of the river, the most distant one being about sixteen miles from Timbuctso. ‘The merchandise when disembarked at any of the dependent ports {s carried thence to Timbuctoo on the backs of asses, by camels hired from the northern caravans, «and, though rarely, upon the backs of men. The southern trade is directed by negro mer- chants. These bring to Timbuctoo a va- riety of goods, but especially grains, millet, rice and a little wheat. They fetch, as well, vegetable butter, beans, kola nuts, monkey bread, boabab flour, manioca, tam- arinds, native cotton fabrics, much valued in the market; cotton bands of fine weave, saturated with indigo and burnished by a mechanical process to an incomparably brilliant metallic luster, and highly prized -by the people of Timbuctoo for turbans, pottery, breechcloths; calabashes, ele- phants’ tusks, gold and iron in bars. The commerce of Timbuctoo suffered greatly after the French occupation of a year and a half ago, but is now reviving. The importations from the south In Jan- uary, 1805, were valued at about $62,000, and the exportations northward by car- avan amounted to about $3,000. A rail- way from the French possessions south- wardly across the desert of Timbuctoo is already prophesied. coo A Zealous Army Officer, From che Texas Siftings. One of the highest officers in the Gei man army is very particular that his sol- diers are properly fed. He is in the habit of making unexpected visits to the bar- ks and inspecting the food {n person. On the occasion of one of these visits he peresived two soldiers carrying a steam oiler fro: the chen. “Put it dow ommans t each few mome a spoon ‘ant to of November is the date on which cities with a population of 100,000 or more ob- serve the hollday. In Wisconsin the day is designated by the governor of the state. It will be seen that no Jess than twenty- seven of the states of the Union have designated Labor day by legislative en- actment or otherwise as a legal holf- day. In New York a measure was first introduced which recognized and designated Labor day as a legal holiday, while Oregon was the first to make such a measure @& law. In Europe the Ist of May is universally adopted as a day on which to discuss the questions that confront labor, and so it nay be regarded as Labor day there. ‘There are also many trades unions’ parades in the cities and towns of the United States on the Ist of May, but this habit does not in any way interfere with the labor observance of the legal Labor day holiday. What Labor Dry Means. “Properly understood,” wrote Mr. T. V. Powderly, recently, “Labor day 1s a day on which all that is ambitious, noble, lofty and grand in the nature of the workman should be appealed to. Those who discuss the questions of the hour before meetings of industrialists on that day should be educators—preachers of the gospel of hu- manity and {ts needs, not mammon and its greeds. It is their duty to teach a doctrine of independence of thought and action to the industrian. The rights.of man to the earth and its products, the rights of man to all that labor creates, and the duty of the industrian as a_ self-reliant citizen should all occupy the thought of the speak- ery, and be the theme of his discourse. ‘Labor day is to be a day of rest, of recreation and education. The physical in man is to rest while the mental is to be im- proved. The day {is to be celebrated not in honor of any one man living or dead, but in honor of and by living, throbbing, pul- sating humanity, whose needs stand higher than respect for the memory of the dead or regard for their wishes. Today, tomorrow, the future, are all before us on Labor day. Of these we think, talk, and for these we work. That which will best serve the Hv- ing men and women of today and the fu- ture should receive the careful attention of all who take part in honoring that great- est of all factors in ministering to the good of the world—labor. “So far Labor day 1s ans experiment. Whether it shall continue as a day on which the duties of citizenship shall be taught, the needs of living humanity discussed, and the duties we owe to the millions who will come upen the earth to make or mar Sts future shall be considered, remains to be seen. From a position of menial servitude the most degrading and humiliating, the workman has advanced to higher altitudes in mental and physical freedom. From a servitude in which he could, without ques- tion, be killed for the amusement of his master, the workman has emerged, and now he stands free from every thrall save his own prejudices of crced, of craft, of politics and of race. 1f Labor day is ob- served as it ought to be, the gospel of hu- manity will be understood by all men and women; there will be no slaves to em- picyer, party, boss, or creed. ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself, though he bow not be- fere the same altar. Do unto your neigh- Yor as you would have your nelghbor do unto * will have a meaning not now un- derstoo: Id be this side of the ms and God rules He calls from ssn led of A es the | Auttauity of Trades Organizations, Spoon, but as he spat | “It is said that organizations of labor ex- tt out, exclaimi {sted at tha Ume of the erectfon of Solo- broth ts that |mon’s Temple. The craftsmen employed NAc Us that structure were banded together eee upon that structs nded tog: “It's the wa in something akin to a trades union, and in.” were enabled to make themselves under- a stood by each other through the use of A Mason, Ohio, sve tle signs and cahalistle symbols, which pearatice of Rev. J. yed no meaning to thelr masters. the Methodist unions flourished so long ago that by the disapped ce of their origin can be followed one of his congregati h any degree of accuracy. The skilled excitement there. and the unskilled workers were banded to- who participated as well as those who study | day was 0} gether in guilds, leagues and unions. On Many occasions attempts were made to secure freedom from bondage, but each time the attempts were frustrated through the treachery of some of the members,who cared more for the fleeting smile of the master than the beneftts which would fol- low independence. Whether the master paid for the treachery in coin or honeyed words, the fate meted out to the treacher- ous one by his fellow workers was always death, and as a consequence only the man who was ignorant of what had happened to others dared betray his associates. Ig- norance of the past and the future was what caused _ the treachery of those an- cient days. Then, as now, inorance was the most dangerous foe to the advance of free- dom and equality. Christianity and the Toilers. “With the dawn of Christianity came an awakening of hope and arousing of the intellect that nothing in history had ever oceasioned before. “Christ said that ‘the laborer is worthy of his hire,’ that ‘the land shall not be sold forever,’ and all through His stay upon earth enunciated new doctrines on the questions of labor and its relations to those who lived upon it. Trades union- ists, members of guilds, leagues and other organizations of workingmen embraced Christianity and proclaimed its doctrines as being especially advantageeus to the welfare of the toiling poor. Thousands flocked around the standard of Christian- ity, for the season that it was emblematic of progress, of liberty and equality among men. The artisan, the ironworker, the worker in wood and stone, the iaborer of the village, city, fields and the poor, toil- ing slave were all included among those for whom Christ died. It was the first time in the history of the world that such a doctrine had been proclaimed, and it is no wonder that new hope, new strength and _energy took life in the human breast. “Festivais, holidays and fete days were celebrated after the dawn of the Christian era as before, ard in many of the drunken orgies which disgraced these occasions while honoring the memory of some war- rior, statesman or saint, the same prac- tices prevailed as in the days when pagan- ism commanded the adoration of some god of wood or stone, as the distinctive feat- ure of the occasion. Siowly the doctrine of equality made its progress. Its every step was harassed by those who believed the many should be the property of the few. Long hours of toil made it impossi- ble for man to study after entering upon his life work, but here and there some man escaped from the drudgery of the tread- mill and gave his effort and his talent for the elevation of mankind. Such men w: few in the beginning, but the example the set found worthy disciples as the centuries fcllowed each other. The alm of the or- ganization of labor in ancient times to obtain better food, more of it and the rights to the soil. The wage question did not constitute so prominent a factor in the d Mberations of the association, for the sl: ery of the past had precluded the po. bility of obtaining wages as a reward for service rendered. It was not considered honorable for a man to accept pay for his labor. He might accept a present of more than his wage would amount to, but it must be understood that it was not pay he worked for. hrough the blocdy scenes of strife which have marked the course of the world since Christianity dawned upon it the or- ganization of labor has not been lost sight of, and wherever it has existed human la- bor has taken higher ground upon the plane of »quality and freedom. Progress, though slow, was steady, until the war for independence in the united colonies cf America. The ancient Grecians and Ro- mans had no United States to apply to when detected in the attempt to cver- throw the rule of the oppressor. After the discovery of America the daring, inde- pendent, Iberty-loving people of Europe turned their faces toward the new shores, and there built up a sentiment that event- ually spread like a beacon of hope through all parts of the earth. “When it was written in Philadelphia and proclaimed to the world that * all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,’ a most won- derful effort marked the development of the human race.” Where Labor Day is Recognized. ‘The agitation ih behalf of a labor holiday, begun in New York, extended to other states, with most gratifying results. The following 1s a partial list of states, compiled by Mr. Powderly, in which Labor day laws have been passed. So far as obtainable, the names of the legislators who introduced the bills, and the dates on which the measures hecame laws, are given. For the convenience of the reader, the states are named in alphabetical orde=: Alabama—Oscar R. Hundley, member of the senate from Huntsville, introduced the Yill making the first Monday in September a holiday, to be known as Labor day. The same was enacted into law, and received the signature of Gov. ‘Thomas G. Jones December 12, 1802. Calif st session, It passed both house and received the approval of Gov. H. H. Markham March 23, 18 Labor day in California is held the first Monday In Octo- ber. Colorado—January 20, 1887, Joseph F. Hoover of Leadville introduced a bill In the legislature, and March 15 of that year Gov. Alva Adams affixed his signature to the act, after passage through both houses of the Colorado legislature, Connecticut—A. P. Hunie, January 22, 1889, introduced the bill in the Connecti- cut legislature. It became a Jaw and was approved by the governor March 20, 1889. Delaware—Senator John Pyle of Wilming- ton introduced the Labor day bill in the legislature of Delaware. It passed both houses, and was approved February 14, 1893. In Delaware the governor is not re- quired to sign or approve of laws passed by the legislature, and the Labor day law bears the signatures of Charles B, Hous:on of the senate and Harvey Whitemaan, speaker of the house of representatives of Delaware. y Georgia —The legistature of 1891 passed into law the bill introduced by E. W. Mar- tin, and October 16 of that year Gov. W. J. Northen signed the bill. Hlinois —The thirty-seventh general as- sembly of Illinois passed the law making the first Monday in September a legal holi- day. The bill was introduced in the senate by Albert W. Wells and was approved by Gov. Joseph W. Fifer, June 17, 1891. = Indiana —Ry ‘an act of the legislature, approved March 9, 181, the first Monday in September was made a legal holiday, to be known as Labor day. Towa —February 28, 1800, W. W. Dodge introduced the original bill making Labor day a legal holiday to the Towa senate. A substitute was offered, and March 19 all members of the senate voted for the meas- ure. It went to the lower house and was adopted there March 26, all present voting for it, and April 5, 1890, was signed by Gov. Boles. Kansas —The custom of recognizing the first Monday in September as Labor day was established in Kansas in 18), and the governor of the state made it legal by proclamation. At the session of the legis- Jature of 1891 Gov. Lyman U. Humphrey, in his biennial message, recommended that the legislature enact the measure into law. Senator Elliston introduced the bill in the fenate. It became a law and was signed by the governor March 4, 1891. Louisiana —Act 93 of 1892 makes Novem- per 25 a legal holiday, to be known as La- bor day in New Orleans and all cities with a population. of 100,000 inhabitants in the state. Gov. M. J. Foster approved the bill July 7, 1 ‘Maire—Maine enacted a law at the ses- sion of the legislature held in 1891, and de- clared the first Monday in September to pe a “legal holiday, the same as Thanks- giving, Christmas day, Decoration day and the Fourth of July are now by law made pubile holidays.” The bill originated in the house of representatives, was presented by Edward J. Irvin and received the signature of Gov. Burleigh February 10, 1891. Maryiand—A bill to make Decoration day fa legal holiday was introduced in the Mary- Jand legis!iture in January, 1800, and be- came a jaw. While it was on passage, J. HI. Jones of Baltimore offered an am ment making Labor day a legal holiday tut it was not adopted. Subsequently the Jaily recognized as a holiday ‘lamation of the governor. s—Massachusetts, in the s sion of 1SS7, acted upon a Dill presented by Senator Alger of Cambridge February 2. ed both houses, and May 11 of ived the signature of the izan—There is a bill before the Iesis- lature of Michigan having for its object the creating of a legal holiday to be known as Labor day, but definite action has not yet been taken upon It. Missouri—On the fourteenth day _of the legislative session of 1889 Francis X. Rot. erman of St, Louis introduced the Dill in the Missourl legislature. When the yote was taken it stood—ayes, 65; nays, 38—it Bees 71 votes to pass a bill in the house ani the measure was defeate Montana—Montana seceane law mak- ing the firat Monday in September a legal holiday, to be known as Labor day. This pill originated in the senate and was in- troduced by BH. D. Matts. The date of adoption is not known, but it was at the session of the Montana legislature held in 1890-91. y Nebrasa—In Nebrask& Senator Frank Ransom, January 9, 1889, offered a bill making Labor day a legal holiday. It pass- ed the senate by a unanimous vote the 17th of that month and March 29 it passed the house and was signed by the governor. New Hampshire—June 7, 1887, Mr. Stone of Andover introduced a bill in the legis- lature of New Hampshire to establish La- bor day, but the committee to which it was referred reported it back with these words on the envelope: ‘“Inexpedient to legislate. In the session of 1891 Andrew Killoren of Dover introduced the Labor day bill. It passed both houses and was signed by the governor, but the date of the signature ts not known. e New Jersey—William Harrigan of New- ark introduced a bill in the New Jersey legislature January 31, 1887. It passed both houses and was signed by the gov- ernor April 8, 188% New York—January 4, 1887, Senator Ed- ward F. Reilly of New York city intro- duced’ the bill in the New York senate, and after passing both houses it was signed by Governor Hill May 6, 1887. Ohio—In the Ohio house of representa- tives John P. Green introduced the Labor day bill March 10, 1890, It was signed by the speaker of the house of representatives and president of the senate April 28, 1890. Oregon—In Oregon the bill was intro- duced by J. H. Daley of Dallas, Polk county, January 17, 1887, and February 21 of that year it received the signature of the governor. Pennsylvania—In Pennsylvania the bill was originally intreduced by Senator Lines January 27, 1859. It passed both houses and became a law when Gov. Beaver signed it April 25 of that year. Rhode Island—In this state Labor day was made a legal holiday in May, 1893. Tennessee—In the session of the legisla- ture of Tennessee of 1801 Mr. Allaman in- troduced a bill in the house of representa- tives to make Labor day a legal holiday. ‘The bill pass2d both houses and was sign- ed by Gov. Buchanan March 11, 1891. At the session prior to that the Tennessee legislature enacted a law making “all days set apart for holding county, state or na- tional elections holiday: Texas—Senator Miles Crowley of Galves- ton introduced the bill in the Texas legis- lature to amend the Revised Civil Statutes by adding the first -Menday in September to the list of legal holidays, the same to be known Labor day. The 10th of Febru- a 1893, the bill, after passing both house: s approved. Washington—Senator John R. Kinnear of King’s county introduced the Labor day law in the legislature of 1891. It passed that house the 9th of January, the sen- ate the 9th of February, and was approved by the governor Febrvary 24, 1891. ‘Wisconsin—In his annual message to the last legislature Gov. Peck said: “A large number of citizens who celebrate Artisans’ day as an annual festival are desirous of havirg it made a legal holiday. I feel much in sympathy with this, to me, rea- sonable request of people whose holidays ars few, and therefore commend this sub- ject to your careful consideration.” The bill, which is now chapter 271 of the laws , was introduced by Assemblyman m the 10th of the same month, and published as a law of Wisconsin, May Section 1 of the bill reads: “The nor is hereby authorized to set apart 0) by proclamation one day in each year to be ohserved as Labor day for the purpose of affording all laboring classes one day of rest and recreation, and which day when so set apart shall be, and the same is declared, a legal holidi " The law does not specify what day the gevernor shall designate, but Gov. Peck has assured the labor organizations that such day as they may, select will be chosen by him as Labor lay. New York was the first state in the Union to introduce the measure before the legislature, and Oregon the first state to pass the bill into law. VENETIAN IRON WORK. It is Becoming Popular for Country House Decoration. From the Pittsburg Dispateh. Venetian iron work is becoming popular again for the decoration of the country house, and many beautiful designs, with and without the colored glass, are made in the way of brackets, stands, lamps, match helders and flower holders. 'The latest in this line, however, is the home-made article. A kit of tools, nicely put up in a box, and stripes of the thin fron used for the work, come already p pared for the amateur, and many women ake their own brackets and bric-a-brac. ‘The strips of flat iron come in somewhat convenient sizes, and it is easily bent into the curves and angles necessary for mak- ing lamps and brackets. The tools con- sist chiefly of a small riveting hammer, a steel-pointed borer or drill, a package of copper tacks, strong nippers, a steel file and a pair of ordinary pinche' With these tools and material the worker selects a model. The simplest thing is un crdinary fancy bracket to be attached to the wall for hanging a lamp or any article cn. Strips of the strong flat iron are fas- tened together as the skeleton work, and then the fancy work is filled In with the wire and thin strips of iron. The thrce corners of the bracket are fas- tened together by the copper tacks. A hole is punched through the two pieces of froz and the copper tack driven through them. ‘Then with the nippers the point of the tack is cut off, and, by placing it on a hard sub- stance, a few sharp blows with the ham- mer on the head of the tack will rivet the iron securely together. ‘The fancy wire can be passed through holes made in the strips of iron, or riveted on the same as described for the frame work. Another simple article {s a plant stand. Four legs twisted into the form of scrolls should be made separately, laying one upon another until they are exactly alike. Then form two strong bands of the iron work just large enough to hold the vase, tub or other flower receptacle. Rivet them to the top of the scroll-like legs, and fasten the legs together at the widest end of the curve. For a hanging basket for running plants the main thing is to form the stout frame work, just large enough to hold the glass or china tub or basket. Then the decora- tion can be made to suit, simple or elab- orate. The Method is Simple. The method of making the decorations for a round article is to spread them out in straight line at first, and then gently bend them into position. The whole pizze can be riveted together in one straight figure before it is ecessary to curve them, ad then two or three rivets will complete the article. A fancy Venetian iron holder can be fastened into the piazza ceiling, and the hanging basket attached to It by three pieces of fine wire. Glass aud metal holders can be supported by the iron work as well as china and wood, Colored glass lamps are easily made for gas or oil. Stands and center pieces for the plazza‘are made in elaborate styles out of the iron work, and they appear more ornamental than the wooden or bamboo ones. Their cost, if made at home, 1s only a trifle more than the simple stands bought at the furniture stores. It requires no particular skill to work the Venetian ironware into handsome or- naments. All that one has to do Is to fol- Icw the designs, and become accustomed to the work of riveting the pieces together. This Is the hardest part of the work, but considerable skill is soon acquired by en amateur. ———_-+e+ —____ Mints of the Demi-Season. From Harper's Bazar. The styles worn in autumn gowns are those of the late summer. Novelties ap- pear in winter, when they are required for evening dresses, calling costumes and the various elaborate functions of life in large cities. The first dresses of warmer stuffs will have double-breasted waists, basques, or jackets, worn with inside plastrons of rich material and color. Blouse fronts and box- pleats will not be abandoned. The drooping blouse effect 1s so generally liked for the round waists of summer that it has spread to summer Jackets as well, which are now made slightly loose and belted to droop, much in the fashion of the belted basque of long ago. There are two ways of cutting these jackets, one with open front, the belt passing under it from the sides and disclos- ing a blouso front of silk beneath. The other plan laps the fronts, making them double-breasted, and letting them droop slightly at the belt line, where they are fastened by four buttons, two in a row, and these are usually showy buttons of cut steel or miniatures, or of the dress material framed in a ring of gilt or sily LABOR’S TRIUMPHS What It Has Achieved at the National Capital. EDUCATING MEN FOR CITIZENSHIP Some of the Things Accomplished Through Legislation. REVIEW OF THE PAST ————————— Written for The Evening Star. In preparing an article chronicling the aims, purposes and practical achievements of the organized laboring forces of the Dis- trict, I shall endeavor to give a presenta- tion to the uninformed of the real dignity and recognition to which organizations of labor are entitled. Subsequently I shall present an array of facts for the accuracy of which I am much indebted to an older and abler Knight of Labor than myself, and who is probably the only person com- petent to have given the statements with so much precision. While the order of the Knights of Labor are organized for the purpose of protection to each other in their trades and pecuniary interests generally, they stand united also for the betterment of the municipality and community at large, by scattering the reed for eternally developing more self-reliant, mere self-sustaining and nobler types of men and women, with less criminality, pauperism and the various other forms of Gegradation unfortunately existing so pro- fusely in our midst. In the fleld of labor, by those who are reaching out for the accomplishment of this desired end, ardent discussion are in- dulged in at the regular gatherings of the M. F. Hobbs. assemblies touching upon social and po- litical economy in all its phases. Primarily, though, the stand is taken that the im- provement of the conditions’ affecting the living, occupation, education and environ- ments of the lowest strata of society leads, in the natural course of things, to im- proved conditions for all classes. That is to say, let the progeny of the ignorant and depraved and of the overworked laborer have every avenue for education and al) other forms of development to good ciuzen- ship thrown open to them, the community and nation are at once better protected and certainly more prosperous in conse- quence thereof. A Serious Industrial Question. this medern way of ransacking for knowledge it would be fruitless to longer ignore the stupendous growtb of poverty, the source from which spring all evil acts and crime of man against man. Formerly it was the ignorance of the condition of the toilers that made the consideration of ihe Industrial question a minor matter. But row, with official figcres staring us in the face, showing that in New York and Mas- chusetts In the aggregate industries the average is in the neighborhood of 40 per cent of wage earners who are replaced by improved machinery, and that in other manufacturing states and industrial cen- ters the situation is proportionately bad, it is evident that a serious industrial question arises as to what shall be done to find em- ployment for these American citizens who, by no fault of their own, are denied an in- alienable right to work for sustaining themselves and their dependents. The solution held out by the Knights of Labor, foremost and first, is that the hours of labor must be reduced in proportion at least as labor-saving machinery replaces hand Jabor. This, the industrial forces maintain, is the real entering wedge to secure that un- written law, “The right of every man to labor so that a comfortable subsistence is provided.” It is the conviction, reached by practical application of the theory, that through higher wages, less hours of toil and more hours for leisure and improvement a better type of manhood and womanheod is se- cured, and a better general animation and activity in commercial life maintained. In regard to the former, evidently good citi- zens can only be made so when wages are high enough to allow adequately for the necessaries and comforts to sustain a proper and healthful living, and lefsure sufficient to devote general advancement and culture. A Shorter Work Day. Furthermore, the benefits of a shorter work day are very prorounced, inasmuch that its tendency !s to lift the now over- worked and uncultivated classes to a higher intellectual and moral standard, a factor of the greatest importance in soly- ing the economic problem of the day. And, respecting the latter, while varlous mean3 have a tendency to retard or propel the wheels of trade, fundamentally, the least impediment and grestest advancement is always attained through the employment of all who desire to be employed. With the hours of toil proportionately lessened all can be employed, and thus naturally larger consumption ersues, and with greater consumption comes the demand again for greater production, resulting in the ever increasing demand for persons to produce in order to meet the increasing demand to consume. However, the fact is never lost sight of by those of the order that for the purpose of working practically attention {s always directed to the import- ance of touching, in the usual discussions, on all current social and political topics af- fecting the interest of the people and the nation. Possibly nothing will so well dem- onstrate for what and why the K. of L. exist than giving real specimens of the work accomplished within recent years. Mechapics’ Lien Law. Prior to 1884 the mechanics of the Dis- trict were subjected to great loss of wages through the dishonesty of irresponsible contractors, as the lien law then on the statute books afforded little or no relief. The representative labor bodies decided, if possible, to remedy this state of affairs, and through the efforts of the District As- sembly’s legislative committee the present efficient mechanics’ Hen law was passed. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The fourth plank in the declaration of principles of the Knights of Labor reads: “The establishment of bureaus of labor statistics, that we may arrive at a cor- rect knowledge of the educational], moral and financial condition of the laboring masses and the establishment of free state labor bureaus.” The first bureau of labor statistics was established in Massachusetts tn 1860, fol- lowed closely by other states, until we have bureaus of labor statistics In thirty-three states and the national department of labor Yocated here, making thirty-four in all. The national department of labor was first es- tablished as the bureau of labor statistics in 1884 and changed to @ department in 1888. The establishment of this institution was the result of the efforts of ofganized industrial forces of Washington, Free Text Books in Public Schools. The local organized industrial classes sa were quick to percelve the evils the lack of proper schooling was inflicting upon the working classes and determined that the opportunity for a common school educa- tion should be open to all. They also recog- nized the public schools as the bulwark of the republic. The following extracts are taken from an appeal by the K. of L. to Congress under date of February 14, 1891: “There are more than 51,000 children of school age here. Only 37,000 are enrolled in the public schools. Only 30,000 actually attend. More than 50 per cent of those who enter drop out before the fifth grade is reached, before they ever see a grammar, and when they can barely write their names. Only a few complete the grammar course and reach the High School, and among them are practically none of the children of mechanics and laborers. More than one-half of the colored children cease attendance at the end of the first year, and about 80 per cent of all who begin end with less than four years’ schooling. “The free text-book system will put 3,000 more children in school; it will enable them to begin promptly when school opens; it will carry the children up into the higher grades; it will avoid the distinction between rich and poor that goes with the present system of lending books to self-proved paupers; it will relieve a great number of poor families of a heavy annual charge; it will effect a great economy to the com- munity; it will make the schools reaily free; and it will place us in line with other progressive cities in the matter of educa- tion. “We present this appeal to you by the di- rection of twenty-one labor organizations, embracing 6,000 members. They have long agitated for the free text-book system here, for they find the greatest difficulty in se- curing an education for their children, and they profoundly realize that upon education rest all their hopes for the improvement ef the condition of the laboring masses.” They had the pleasure of seeing their efforts crowned with success by Congress in 1891 appropriating sufficient money to establish the system of free text books in the first four grades of the schools. But not content with this, they have kept up the agitation until at present the system has been extended to include all the grades. The delegate from District Assemly 66 to the General Assembly of Knights of Labor held at Toledo, Ohio, in October, 1891, had the honor, as well as the pleasure, of hav~ ing the demand for free text books in the public schools made a part of the platform of that body. Thus the twelfth declara- tion of the platform reads: “The prohibi-~ tion by law of the employment of children under fifteen years; the compulsory at- tendance at school for at least ten months in the year of all children between the ages of seven and fifteen years, and the furnishing at the expense of the state of free text books.” Slums of Large Cities. There has been for years more or less agitation on the condition of the slums of large cities, but as the agitation came chiefly from the organized industrial forces the general public concluded the picture was largely overdrawn. The members of the representative body, District Assembly 66, K. of L., determined, if possible, to have an official investigation of the slums, and instructed their delegate to the Gen- eral Assembly to have that body pass a resolution asking Congress to order an in- vestigation to that effect by the ‘1ational department of labor. The general body passed the resolution unanimously and placed it in the hands of District Assembly 66 to push the matter before Congress. The legislative committee took hold with their usual vim, and it was not long before the pulpit of this and other cities was preaching against the evils born of the slums. Of course, Congress ordered the investigation, which was completed by the department last fall. The good work thus started has spread all over, and now we have an investigation in progress by the legislature of New York, from which it is hoped some good results will follow. Eight-Hour Law. After the eight-hour law of 1868 was declared defective by the Supreme Court the local labor organizations applied them- selves to remedy the defect. While the national labor bodies passed resolutions asking fer an effective cight-hour law, they seemed loth to incur the expense of having a committee press the matter upon Congress. As usual, the representative bodies of the District of Columbia took the pill in charge, and after the labors of several years of agitation the earnest efforts 6f their committees were crowned with success by the passage on Au- gust 1, 1892, of the present effective eight- hour law Labor Day a Legal Holiday. The agitation for Labor day was begun in New York in 1884, Although a bill to make Labor day a legal holiday was first presented in the New York legislature, yet to Oregon belongs the honor of first en- acting it into law, February 11, 1887, fol- lowed by New York May 6, 1887, since which time about thirty states and the United States have made Labor day a legal holiday. Th: agitation began in the District of Columbia in 1887, and several bills were introduced in the succeeding Congresses, but failed of passage. In 1805 it was determined to renew the effort, and in December of that year a bill was pre- pared by the cbairman of the legislative committee of the District Federation of Labor, which was introduced in both houses of Congress simultaneously, and became law by approval of the President on June 28, 189. In the following Sep- tember the day was first celebrated in the District of Columbia and the several states as a national holiday. There has been much said regarding the cost of legislation to the working people, but that does not hold good in respect to the District. Mr. M. F. Hobbs, who has had the supervision of most of the above mentioned legislation, informs me as to the following facts: The mechanics’ lien law cost the District Assembly about $30. The free text books cost the District Assembly $15 and the other representative labor body, the Federation of Labor, $12, making the total $27. It Is to be remembered that the free text books were appropriated for in three different sessions of Congress. The investigation of slums cost the District Assembly $12. The making of Labor day a legal holiday cost the Federation of La- bor $5, and this covers the full amount of expenditures. All the funds went to print- ing memoriais and postage, and, as is evi- dent, unusual economy was displayed. MEMBER EXCELSIOR ASSEMBLY, 2672. Se CLEAR THE SLEEPING ROOM. Keep It Free From Heavy Draperies and Many Ornaments, From the Globe-Democrat. In the modern mania for decoration the bed chamber has suffered more than the drawing room. In the latter a cluster of furniture and of bric-a-brac and useless yards of scarf are perhaps pardonable. In most cases there fs a family sitting room’ relieved of lumber, where space is obtained and the air less vitiated by dust catchers. But in sleeping rooms, where persons pass nearly one-third of the twenty-four hours, during which time they are in a passive condition, when germs of dust and disease are readily absorbed, it is a sin to aceumu- late a lot of rubbish, even if that pubbish passes under the head of aestheti We see dirgctions for hanging the walls with cretonne, costing “only $1.50 per yard,” or with chintz, at a still higher cost. The furniture is also covered with chintz or cretonne, showing running vines or floral designs in the style of Louis XV, or his successor. These materials are always pop- ular with the French, and are readily r placed by fresh when soiled. Without doubt they are bright and at- tractive. But what of the emanations of the breath of the sleeper? These cling ta such fabrics, which cannot be taken off and aired like bed clothing. In case of illness such hangings are positively deleterious. The first requisite, coming even before a thought of decoration, is cleanliness. Years ago Florence Nightingale told En- glish people that their thick curtains and bed hangings were an abomination. ‘rom the results of long observation and experi- ence she knew that the less material to hold dust and bodily emanations, the t» vr. In the first placa, an all-over carpet mistake. Stain a floor border some tint too dark—oak or cherry ts good. Pi light cherry, is best. On th soft, thick and rich az you < rug which can be shaken ev the room {s occupled. Betw may be run over by a carpet less the dust is beaten up w: to fall on the walls and bedding the bet Said Pasha Resigns. The situation of affairs at Constantinople ig so critical that the grand vizier, Said Pasha, has tendered his resignation, saying that he declines to remain in ollice under the present conditions, LABOR LEGISLATION What May Be Expected of Congress Next Session, POSSIBLE HOUSE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN The Proposed Non-Partisan Com- mission of Twenty-one. OTHER BILLS LIKELY The next session of Ccngress promises to be an important and fruitful one to the in- terests of organized labor, and there is good prospect of considerable legislation of a national character being enacted. The committee on labor of the House will be reorganized, as only eight out of its thir- teen members were returned to Congress, and it is not certain that all of them will be reappointed upon the committee. Those members of the committee on labor of the last House who will have seats in the next House ere Lewis D. Apsley of Massachu- setts, James T. McCleary of Minnesota, Thomas W. Phillips of Pennsylvania, John J. Gardner of New Jersey and Andrew R- Kiefer of Minnesota, republicans, and Law- rence E. McGann of Illinois, C. J. Erdman of Pennsylvania and William J. Talbert of South Carolina, democrats. It ts probable, therefore, that four democrats and one populist (the latter to succeed Lafe Pence of Colorado) will be selected from the new members. Chairmanship Gossip. Toward the close of the last session,when the surviving members were talking of the possible formation of committees in the next House, there was considerable gossip as to the chairmanship of the committee on labor. It was recognized then that the pest would be an important one, and that there would probably be a great deal of work brought before the commiitee. Fol- lowing the regular line of promotion, Mr. Apsley of Massachusetts would be avail- able for the chairmanship; but it was not thought that Mr. Apsley had any particu- Jar anxiety for the place. Mr. McCleary of Minnesota was next in line, but he has never been prominently identified with la- bor matters. Mr. Phillips of Pennsylvania was talked of as being a likely candidate, en account of the great interest which he took in labor matters at the last session. He devoted the greater part of his time and attention to iness coming before this committee, and it was his application to labor affairs that gave rise to the gossip that he may be the chairman. The Proposed Commission. One of the pieces of proposed national legislation which will come before Con- gress at its next session is the bill au- thorizing the appointment of a non-parti- san commission of twenty-one persons to consider and recommend legislation to meet the problems presented by labor, agri- culture and capital. This bill was intro- duced by Mr. Phillips last session and was unanimously reported from the committea, but did not come up for action in the House on account of pressure of other matters. Mr. Phillips will offer it again next session, it is understood, and urge its passage. . This bill was indorsed by the fourteenth annual convention of the Federation of Labor and by Mr. Gompers, Mr. Hayes and Mr. Soversign, insuring it influential spon- sors upon its re-entry into Congress next session. The bill provides for the appoint- ment by the President of five men repre- sentative of labor, five men representative of agriculture, and five men representative of business; but a majority of this com- mission shall not belong to any one of the political parties which took part in the last presidential) election. After the appoint- ment of this commission each division of five is authorized to choose or appoint two additional commissioners to act with them on terms of equality, making the whole number twenty-one; but no one division of five shall make both of its appointments from the same political party; it shall be the duty of this commission to investigate questions pertaining to immigration, to labor, to agriculture, and to business, and recommend to Congress such legislation as it may deem best upon these subjects; it shall furnish such information and sug- gest such laws as may be made a basis for uniform legislation by the various states of the union in order to harmonize conflicting interests, and to be equitable to the laborer, the employer, the producer, and the consumer; the commission shall receive petitions and grant reasonable time for hearings on subjects pertaining to its duties, and, if deemed necessary, it shall appoint a subcommission or com- missions of its members to make investiga- tion in any part of the United States, and it shall be allowed actual necessary ex- penses for the same, the whole expenses not to exceed $50,000 a year. The salary of each commissioner shall be $5,000 a year and each Givision of seven shall have a legal adviser at $5,000 a year and a sec- retary at $200 per month, Other Legisintion Likely. Renewed efforts will be made at the com- ing session to pass legislation for the pro- tection of life and limb to railway em- ploves by requiring uniform systems of automatic couplings on the cars of inter- state railways, although the committee on labor may not have actual charge of these measures, the committee on interstate and foreign commerce having more direct juris- diction. The character of the legislation which Will be asked of Congress in behalf of Dis- trict labor ts familiar to readers of The Star. It will include a law regulating the Mability of employes, the abolition of the emergency clause in the eight-hour law, a requirement that government and city work should be done by day's labor, and at the highest prevailing rates, and the ex- tension of the free school hook plan to the higher grades. Efforts will also be made to secure a law which will require safe scaf- folding to be erected on buildings in course of erection in this cit¢. The committees on legisiation of the local labor organizations are composed of energetic men, who know what their organizations want, and will Push their demands in a vigorous manner, —— Sleeven and Skirts. From Harper's Bazar, Paris dressmakers are concerning them- selves principally with the sleeves and skirts of the future. The large sleeve will die hard, and in Parts they suggest, instead ofa single balloon puff, a series of puffs— four, five or six—placed at sllght distances apart around a tightly fitted sleeve. This is in the nature of a compromise, as the upper puff is around the armhole and gives the broad effect now in favor. The Parisi- enne who adopts Marie Antoinette styles accepts the close-topped sleeve with a small puff at the elbow and a flowing ruffle around the wrist. But in all the Louis XVI gowns Worth sends to this country he uses the puffed sleeve of today, but in modera~ tion, that the anachronism may not be too conspicuous. Redfern predicts a return to the early Victorian styles, with long shoulder seams as their notable feature. These seams ure well enough for those who have prettily turned shoulders, but the large sleeves with shorte them hide the lack of this bea becoming to all. The full » but with var panels and flow | of the 7 irt now in seldom liked for I breadth of ae up the monotony as the further Hood pla skirt left over fi itions Is for one dress into ke for economy. From the Di “Papa,” asked Tommy Goodman, “who Cain’s wife?” “Caroline,” id the tev. Dr. Goodman, after an ominous pause, aadre is his fe, “will you ple hand e my heavi lipper and h the rooin? ‘There is going to be a trial for heresy right here and now.”