Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-08-11
TIE VALUE OF LABOR.

We are aware that, generally speaking, no
regular standard has been established by the
various trades and professions rs rccompense
for services rendered. IT'S true physicians, at
least those entitled to be regarded as such, re-
cognise the existence of Il ' fee bill ;" so too
among practitioners at the Bar; which fec bills
are strictly observed by those who have made
these different professions their permanent yo-
cation.
Among the different trades, however, we find
competition carried to such an alarming extent
that in many cases parties making contracts
have fixed the amount to be received, as recon-
pense, at so low standard, in order to get 4
job, that they have, in their failures, in some
cases, Inflicted serious injury upon their credi-
tors or endorsers.
1t is to be regretted THAI labor in our country
has been so lightly regarded that the white
mechanic in very many cases, is compelled to
work in competition with other classes ut such
prices that serious losses are sometimes sus.
tained, and his family compelled to re!inquish
the enjoyment of the common ncccssarcs of
life, in order to meet his liabilities
Among that class who labor 1T the Press, or
case, throughout the entire South, there has
been uniform standard fixed MS compensation,
for the services of journcymen. In some in
stances, we are aware, that employers have de-.
fiatcd from rigid compliance with these es-
tablshcd prices and taken advantage of the
wants OF the journeyman; hence, BY 4 certain
class who conduct the Press ratiSm," is boldly
encouraged. Such characters we detcst, and
unhestatingly assert, that no man who has
served i lawful apprenticeship to the Printing
business and finally succeeded in becoming pro-
Prietor of press, should be entitled to the
countenance Of gentlemen, if he BIZ guilty Of
the prac Ice above specified
"Labor is money!" is proverb admitted by
all. But notwithstanding common custom, and
We may say almost universal habit, has fixed
the standard for advertising throughout the
South, as well as the length constituting Il
square, yet one or two, or perhaps half dozen
cases, may be found among the conductors Of
the Press who appear TO regard their services
less raLua6le than their fellows, and are willing
to labor for half price. We are not of that
class.
we are totally opposed to every thing which
may tend to infringe upon the prices established
IN this State by every Press Of respectability,
either rs regards compensation for services
rendered, or the standard fixed upon and strict
ly observed since we first entered Printing
Office, for tho insertion of Advertisements, and
nc earnestly call upon the conductors of the
Press, generally, TO maintain and carry out
strictly the rules and usages Of every well res:
and atrix Their seal Of disappr0 ballOn upon any
who may be guilty Of IN Infringement of those
wholesome and long established rules, for 50
soon as a Press of influence suffers its adver-
Using columns to be bought up at less than the
usual price, general disposition will soon be
manifest to complete, and bankruptcy must
necessarily follow.
Would it not be well for the Conductors of
the Press throughout the State to hold Con.
vention in Columbia, during the next ses-
zion of our Legislature, to consider this sub
ject, and adopt such general rules as may be
thought advisable. We throw this out as =
feeler. What say the Press