New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-08-29
LABoRIN NEw-Y DIRK:
No. VIII. The Ciockmakers.

Although Mr. Samael Slick told avery good story,
and was in other respects worthy and compan-
ionabe man he not much OF a clockmaker.
This j q branch Of business about which great
deal is said and a very little generally known. The
following facts have been furnished - by Yankee
operator from Connecticut who j. considerable Of
Clock case himself. and is familiar with the bust
hess in all is details
The number of Clocks manufactured in this coun
try j. very great. and the Improvements in the
manufacture Of the article introduced during the
last four wears have materially reduced the price
well as the wages Of the operatives. Connecticut
We believe j. the Only STATE IN which Clock Move
ments are made But there are many shops al
over the North where the Cases are Manufactured
There ar abou, twenty Of these 10 this CRY. The
business thus consists Of iwo distinct branches
The Casc-maker sells his Cases 10 the Movement
maker, or buys Of him the Movements and puts
hem in himself
Formerly the wheels for Brass Clocks were cast.
then turned and smoo,bed with great labor Now
he Brass comes rolled in plates oithe proper thick
ness for the different wheels and il pressed out
one motion Of the press being sufficient TO cut and
center the wheel This saves much time and money.
There quite a number Of firms in Connecticut
that put up ready for market Two Hundred Clocks
per day and they are sold al - - so piece,
according to quality
The Cases which are extensively manufactured
here. are sold for 90 TO 10 cents each. Good Ma
nogany and Zebra Cases well made and polished,
can be bought now for % cen's-ihe same quality
# article would have cos, 80 three years ago.
The wages Of workmen in the Clock business are
poor. An experienced and skillful hand cannot get
more than 81 or 81 25 per day a great many
young men and boys work a, the business who re
ceive only from s to - per month.
The Moyementor running part OF Clocks can now
be bought for less than 81 a piece-three years
ago they were worth 81 50. We knew a gentle
man who made grand speculation in the Clock
business as follows He sold his Farm for three
thousand dollars and added TO this sum three thou
sand dollars in cash the whole amount Of which he
invested in Clock Movements at - 50 piece. TO
be delivered as he wished This was three years
ago; and Clocks being just then rather dull of sale,
he kept holding on for better prices, until Move
ncns could be bought for IS cents piece. Now
his Movements cost him in cash 40 cents more
han they are worth. to say nothing Of the Farm.
This is the way the Clockmakers get rich.
The Clocks were formerly sold at the South
bringing from s2j 10 hundred dollars piece But
# late years The Sou,herners. either more knowing
n less flush purchase very few, and the Universal
Yankee Nation has been for some time extensively
Engaged in supplying Great Britain with Improved
Patent Brass Clocks Great numbers are also sent
20 the West India Islands, and more to China
Nearly all that are made are now sent out OF the
country. There were three months ago probably
Three Thousand Clocks per day sent from the State
IF Connecticut but since that time many OF the
manufacturers have run d0'cR. owing to their selling
100 much on tick and the business has somewhat
fallen of