Whereas the act of Congress approved June 25, 1868, constituted, on and
after that date, eight hours a day's work for all laborers, workmen, and
mechanics employed by or on behalf of the Government of the United
States, and repealed all acts and parts of acts inconsistent therewith:

Now, therefore, I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States, do
hereby direct that from and after this date no reduction shall be made
in the wages paid by the Government by the day to such laborers,
workmen, and mechanics on account of such reduction of the hours of
labor.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and caused the seal of
the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this 19th day of May, A.D. 1869, and of
the Independence of the United States the ninety-third.

U.S. GRANT.

By the President:
HAMILTON FISH,
_Secretary of State_.



BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A PROCLAMATION.