The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-08-17
Tho Value Of Labor.

we are aware that, generally speak
ing, no regular standard has been
established by the various trades and
professions as rccolnpense for services
rendered. 'Iis true physicians, at
least those entitled to be regarded as
such, recognise tue existence Of u
''iee bill;" 50 too among practitioners
NJ the Bar; Which fec bills are strictly
observed by those who have made
these different professions their per
mancnt vocation.
Among the different trades, how
ever, we find competition carried to
such an alarming extent that in many
cases parties making contracts have
fixed the amount to be received, as
rccompcr"e, at SO low standard, in
order to get job, that they have, i'll
their failures, i'll some cases, inflicted
serious injury upon their creditors or
cudorscrs.
1t is to be regretted that labor in
our country has been 50 lightly re-
garued that the white mechanic in
very many cases, is compelled to
work i'll competition with other classes
at such prices that serious losses are
sometimes sustained, and his family
compelled to reinpuish the enjoyment
Of the common ncccssarics Of life, in
order to meet his liabilities.
Among that class who labor at
the Press, Or case, throughout the
entire South, there has been Il uniform
standard fixed rs compensation, for
the services of journcymcn. In some
instances, We arc aware, that en-
ploycrs have dcviatcl from II rigid
compliance with these established
prices, and taken advantage Of The
wants Of the journcylnam; hence, by Il
certain class who conduct the Press
'rutiSA.,' is boldly encouraged. Such
characters wo dctcst, and ullcsitating-
ly assert, that no lIan who has served
Il lawful apprenticeship to the Prin-
ting business and finally succeeded III
becoming proprietor of Il press, should
be entitled To the couu,cnancc Of gen
tlemcn, if he be guilty Of the practice
above specified.
Labor is money" is proverb
admitted hy all. But notwi;hstand-
| my common custom, and We may
say almost universal habit, has fixed
tire standard for advertising through
out the South, as well rs the length
constituting square, yet one or two,
or perhaps half Il dozen eases, may be
found among the conductors OF the
l'rcss who appear to regard tier
services Tess raiuaJic than their
fellows, and arc willing to labor for
half price. We arc 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 responsibility, either
as regards compensation for services
rcndc' cd, or the standard fixed upon
and strictly observed since we first
entered II Printing office, for the
insertion of Advertisements. and VIC
earnestly call upon the conductors OF
the Press, generally, to maintain aud
carry out strictly the rlcS and usagcs
of every we'll regulated and Respectable
Printing establishment, and aliix their
seal Of disapprobation upon amy who
may b" guilty OF an Infringement Of
those wholesome and long established
rules. for soon as Il Press Of influence
suffers lis advertising columns to
be bought up ut less than the u>l-
al price, Il general disposition will
soon be manifest to complete, and
bankruptcy must necessarily follow.
Would it not he well for the
Conductors of the Press throughout
the State to hold Convention in
Columbia, during the next session OF
our Legislature, 10 consider this
subject, and adopt such general rules
us may be thought advisable. We
throw This out rs i~c!cr. What
say the Press fuirHciA Ucw!R