Report of the bureau of labor and industrial statistics, 1885-1886

Second Biennial Report of the Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics, 1885-1886. Governor's message and accompanying documents of the State of Wisconsin


Frank Flower, commissioner of labor statistics from 1883 to 1888, prepared this report on the rise of organized labor in Wisconsin. It discusses early labor laws, efforts at cooperation, strikes and lock-outs, organizations such as the Knights of Labor, and agitation for an 8-hour workday. Strikes around the state in many industries are described on pp. 238-313, except for the major Milwaukee actions of April-May 1886 that culminated in the Bay View Riot. This tragedy is described in detail on pp. 331-344, including an hour-by-hour sequence of events, a list of those killed and wounded, and a table of those charged with crimes. In addition, Flower prints a number of quotes from workers showing their attitudes toward strikes (pp. 306-309) as well as their slogans at demonstrations (p. 339).

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Related Topics: The Progressive Era
The Birth of the Labor Movement
Creator: Flower, Frank A.
Pub Data: In: Governor's message and accompanying documents of the State of Wisconsin (Madison, 1887).
Citation: Flower, Frank A. "Second Biennial Report of the Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics, 1885-1886." Governor's Message and Accompanying Documents of the State of Wisconsin (Madison: 1887). Online facsimile at:  http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.V033N02; Visited on: 5/4/2024