The Trades' Union Congress was evidently strongly in favour of
a reduction in the hours of labour, and passed unanimously a Tather extravagant resolution :—" That it is the firm conviction as well as the duty of the trade representatives at this Congress to aid every fair and honourable movement which has for its object the shortening the hours of labour, believing that it will aid in promoting morality and the physical and intellectual power of workmen." " Every " movement surely is a little too much, unless, indeed, the delegates think that an hour a day would be a sufficient stint. The general opinion of the meeting, however, was in favour of eight hours as a sufficient day's work, in which we agree, provided they will allow full steam to be put on for those eight hours. If they will, the reduction of wages would probably be but slight, as average men cannot work full power for more than that time, but we dislike the reasons put forward. The object of life is not to keep oneself healthy and comfortable, but to do one's duty, and leave the world a little better than it was before. It may be necessary for that end to work sixteen hours, and if that involves early death, what then ? So do most refusals to skulk, but skulking is not a virtue for all that.
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