Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1840-10-03
WAsniscroS, Sept Ia, 1870.
GEyTLEMES -

GENTLEMEN
l have received your letter propounang to me
several questions upon publ subjects, and assu-
ring me that they are not put for the purp,s Of
unfsiendiy criticism, but from since,e desire to
have my own views on the sui cts referred to.
In reply to your fret and last questions, send
you copy of letr recently addressed 10 several
citizens Of Elizabeth City County, Va in which
you will find the inf1rma ion you desire.
In answer 10 your secomd que.,ion, send you
statement of my entire in the New York
Convention, upon the sui tc, of the elective frar-
chisc. 1t was prepared by my friends at Albany,
having access TO the best means of information, of
their own accord, without previous communication
with me, and published th're under their own sig
natures. Upon a careful examination # ibis Joeu-
ment, find it cent ins true and fair exposition Of
my course in the convention, upon the subj Ct re-
fcrred to, and send i, to you as such.
Your remaining question is, VIII ther am in "a,
Of reducing the standard of wages.
Not comprehendng precisely the ilca you desire
to conv,y by the term "the standard of wages" i,
will be necessary, in order to meet your wishes full
ly, thtt I should give my general views on this
branch ,fycur inquiry.
The labor Of an industrious man is in my ju1g.
mcnt only adequately rewarded, when his wages,
together with the assistance of those mcmbrs of his
family, from whom assistance may reasonably be
required, will enable him to provid' comfortably for
himself and them, to educate his children, and lay
~. I. r 1T
Of advanced age.
To accomplish these objects, it is neces ary ,lia,
the pay of the laborer should bear jus, proportion
t. the prices Of the nccesarics and comforts Of life
and all attempts to deprcss them below this equita-
bic standard in my opinion at war, well with
the dictates of humanity, as with sound and ra-
tional policy. Left TO itself, and to the bghiing
influence of partial legislation, monopoics copgrc-
gated wealth, and interested combinations, the COM
pensation of labor will always reserve this sauta-
ry relation. 1t is only when the natural order Of
society is disturbed by other of these causes,
that the wages of labor become inadequate.
The people cf the United Sa,e. may he truly
d nominated nation of labor. rs.-A va pr por-
ton OF them live by the sweat OF tleir brow, and
the continued exercise of persevcring industry.
It was with proper regard to this cord lion, that
the system Of government under with they I've
was originsy devised. 1t should, therefore, in my
opinion, he always administ red as 10 il sure to
,hem as far as possible, just and adequate reward
for their exeltons, as full yment of the fruits
Of heir iniustry.
In the distribution of wealth resulting from tic
union of labor and capital, il is too ofen he
that an undue proportion falls to the share of the
latter. The disconiinuance Of par iai legislation,
which have always advoc ted, wculd he an i'm,
portant step towards correcting this in quality.
Il has been my des,gn to keep these oI jccts
constantly in view. So far from Icing in favor Of
reducing the wages of'abor, or attempting to r,nder
the services required di proporinate to The reward,
rec. ived, ii cannot be unknown to you t at what
is called the ten hour system, originally devised by
the mechanics and laborers themselves, has Ivy my
directions been adopted and uniformly cnrri.d out
at oil the public establishments, and that this nit
igaion Of l.bor has been accompanied by no CORES
ponding reduction Of wages.
slso caused il to be distinctly intimated in the
month Of March last TO the officers Of such of lhes
establishments, as might contemplate reduction
Of wages. that in my opinion the pres mt peculiarly
uncertain state of things which il is bell we'd ults
from circumstances that cannot he permanent IN
their operainn, dose not present just aud Prrpcr
basis for a reduction Of wages
am far from wishing TO contribute in the slight.
est degree to the embarrassment and depression o
the laboritg class. |, is on the c1ntrary, my mos
earnest and constant desire that thrir industry
should every were, and at all times be amply re
warded, and that the blessings should be litcrAli,
diffused among those who contribute most 10 thei
productions.
am GenilcmCn, very respectfully,
Your oleden' scrya I,
VI. VAN BUREN,.
Mrssrs. Isaac LiPpincOtt. VIM, u. Pot, G
Haines, N. b. Evans, A. S. German, j1s, fraye