The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-10-07
WORKNGMEN READ THIS.

committee OF the Workingm-n Of Phils.
delphis, having addressed letter TO The Pres
ident of the United States. containing rhi, in
ierogatory, viz: "Are you in favor OF reduc-
ing the standard Of wages" be returned 10 them
his reply.
Not compreheuding precisely the idea you
desire TO convey by the term "the standard of
wages II will be necessary, in order TO meet
your views fully, that should give my general
views on this branch Of yourenquiry.
The labor Of an industrious man is in my
judgment only adequately rewarded. when
his wages, together with ihe assistance Of those
members of his family, from whom assistance
may reasonably be required. will enable him to
provide comfortably for himself and Them TO
educate his children. and lay up sufficient for
the causalItes Of life and the wants Of advanced
age.
ITO accomplish these objects il is necessa- =
ry that the pay Of the laborer should bear a Just
proportion TO the prices Of the necesssres and
comforts Of llfe and all attempts TO de-
press them below This equitable standard
are in my opinion at war as well with the
dictates of humanity, az with a sound and
rational policy. Left 10 itself and free from
the blightng influence of partial legislation,
mOnopOlics. conereeated wealth and interested
combinations, the compensation Of labor will al
ways preserve this salutary relation. IL is only
when the natural order OF society is disturbed
by one other OF these causes. that the wages Of
labor become inadequate.
"The people Of the United States may be
TRULY denominated nation OF laborers. A
vast proportion of them live by the OF their
brow, and a continued exercise Of a persever-
ing industry. II was with a proper regard to
this condition, that the system OF government
under which they live was originally devised.
IL should, therefore, in my opinion, be always so
administered, rs TO insure TO them, as lar as pos
sible, just and adequate reward for their exer-
lions, as well as a full enjoyment Of The fruits
of their own industry.
In the distribution Of wealth resulting from
the union of labor aud capital, It is too often
the case that an undue proportion falls to the
share Of the latter. The dlscontinuance of par
tIal legislation which have always advocated,
would be an important step towards correcting
this inequality.
II has ever been my design TO keep these
objects constantly IN view. So Ear from being
in favor OF reducing the wages of labor, or at
tempng TO render the services required dispro-
potIona,e 10 the reward received, it cannot be
unknown 10 you that what is called the ten
hour system, originally devised by the mec han
ics themselves, has by my direction been adopt
ed, and uniformly carried out at all the public
establishments, aud that this mitigation OF la
Dor has been accompanied by ne corresponding
reduction OF wages.
- also caused it TO be distinctly intimated
in the month of March last to the officers OF
such Of these establishments as might contem.
plate a reduction of wages, that IN my opinion
the present peculiarly uncertain stale of ,hirgs
which u is believed results from circumstances
that cannot be permanent in their operation,
does not present just and proper basis for a
reduction of wages.
- am Gar from wishing 10 contribnte in the
slightest degree to the embarassments and de.
prcsslou of the laborng classes. il is on the
contrary my most earnest aud constant desire
that their induslay should every where and at
all times he amply rewarded, aud that the bless
incs of plenty should be literally difusedsa-
mone those Who contribute most To their pro
duction. NJ, VAN BUREN.