The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1845-09-01
From the Ne,c York Tribune.
THE CLOCKMAKERS

Although Mr. Samuel Slick told very good
story, and was in other respects a worthy and
companionable man, he not much of clock
maker. This is branch of business about which
great deal is said and a very little generally
known. The following have been furnished us
by 2 Yankee operator from Connecticut, who is
considerable of Clock case himself, and is fa-
miliar with the business in all its details.
The number of Clocks manufactured in this
country is very great, and the improvements in
the manufacture Of the article introduced during
the last four years have materially reduced the
price as well as the wages of the operatives
Connecticut, we believe is the only State IN
which Clock Movements are made. But there
are many shops all over the North where the
Cases are manufactured. There are about twen-
ty OF these in this City, The business thus con-
sists of two distinct branches. The Case-maker
sells his Cases to the Movement maker, or buys
OF him the Movements and puts them in him
self
Formerly the wheels for Brass Clocks were
cast, then turned and smoothed with great labor.
Now the Brass comes rolled in plates of the prop
er thickness for the different wheels and is pres
sed out motion of the press being sufficient to
cut and center the wheel. This saves much
time and money.
There are quite number of firms in Connect
icut that put up ready for market 200 Clocks per
day, and they are sold at 81 S. so piece, ac-
COluiuS W Qudity
The Cases (Which are extensively manufacture
ed here) are sold for 60 to 70 cts each. Good
Mahogany and Zebra Cases, well made and poll
ished, can be bought now for 65 cts.-the same
quality of article would have cost 81, three
years ago. The wages of workmen in the clock
business are poor. An experienced and skilful
hand cannot get more than S or ST. 25 per day.
A great many young men and boys work at the
business who receive only from S. to 50 per
month.
The Movement or running part of Clocks can
now be bought for less than 81 a piece-three
years ago they were worth So 50. We knew a
gentleman who made grand speculation in the
Clock business as follows He sold his Farm for
three thousand dollars and added to this sum 5000
dollars in cash, the whole amount of which he in
vested in Clock Movements at 81 so 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
Movements could be bought for So cents piece.
Now his Movements cost him in cash 40 cts more
than they are worth, to say nothing of the Farm.
This is the way the Clockmakers'ge rich.
The clocks formerly sold at the South,
bringing from $25 to a hundred dollars piece
But of late years the Southerners, either more
knowing or 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 to the West India Islands,
and more to China. Neary all that are made
now sent out of the country There were
three months ago probably three thousand Clocks
per day sent from the State of Connecticut; but
since that time many of the manufactures have
run dorm, owing to their selling too much on tick
and the business has some what fallen off.