Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-08-28
''Ten Cent Jimmy"

The reports of the Fremont Mass Meet
ings of the People in the Western States,
show that there is popular appreciation of
the justice and propriety of the name "Ten
Cent Jimmy" al piled by the Mechanics of
Pennsylvania, to Mr.. Buchanan. Inscrip.
,icns containing this soubriquet and illusions
to Mr. BIS Low Wages Speech in the
United States Senate, prove that in Indiana,
Ohio and Wisconsin the masses understand
him to be the gentleman who wished to
bring the wages of American labor down to
ten cents day. Are they in error in this
impression!
The old Federalst Senator represented
manufacturing State politically. Socially
he represented the body Of wealthy Penn
sylvania employers. Unmarried, chldless
and rich, he had no sympathise with the
Workingmen; who were separated from him
in person and feeling by the State Legisla-
ture. The proprietOrs ofmines, and of fur
naces, forges and rolling mills were most of
them his companions and friends. He was
naturally disposed to aid them. Being po-
litically bound to oppose Protection of Ame-
rican Manufactures, he could profit the capi-
talists only by reducing laborers' Wages.
On the 22d of January 1910, Mr.. Buchan-
an accordingly addressed an argument to
the United States Senate, Of which he was
a member, in which among other things he
said:
oIn GERMANY, where the currency is
pureis metallic and the cost Of everything
is REDUCED TO A HARD MONEY
STANDARD, piece Of broadcloth can be
manufactured for fifty dollars, the manufac-
ture of which in our country, from the ex-
panson of paper currency. would cost one
hundred dollars | would to
heaven that could arouse the attention of
euery manufacturer of the nation TO shis sub
ject.
What is the reason that, with all those
advantages and with the protective duties
which our laws afford to the domestic man.
ufacture of cotton, we cannot obtain exciu-
srve possession of the home market,and sue
cessfuIly contend ior the markets Of the
world! 1t is simply because we manufac-
ture at nominal prices Of our own inflated
currency, & are compelled to sell at the real
prices of other nations. REDUCE OUR
NOMINA Al TO THE REAL STAND
ARD OF PRICES THROUGHOUT
THE WORLD, AND YOU COVER OUR
COUNTRY WITH BLESSINGS AND
BENEFITS.
The comparative LOW PRICES of
France and Germany have offered such a
stimulus to their manufactures, that they
are now rapidly extending themselves,
and would obtain possession. in no small
degree, even Of the English home market,
JH acere not for their protecting duties"
LABOR is the chief element of cost in
manufacturing, from the making Of watch
springs up TO locomotives. The price OF
raw materials is of small comparative con-
sequence.
The next day, Mr.. Merrick, Of Maryland,
made searching exhibit of the ruinous in
fuence upon the Working men ofthe United
States, Of the adoption of the policy which
Mr.. Buchanan had SO strongly urged
In the course of his speech Mr. Merrick
said:
"Mr. President, as it has been argued in
support of this bill that one of the good ef-
fects will be TO REDUCE THE WAGES
OF LABOR IN THIS COUNTRY
mechanical, manufacturing, agricultural,
and all Others, of course-I have considered
it material and important to inquire to what
extent this reduction was to take place
These wages. We are told, must come down
to the specie standard; and we have been re-
ferred to Germany and Holland, and other
European countries, as examples of hard
money currencies, and the cheapening ef-
feet of such currencies upon wages.
Here are tables of the rates of wages in
those countries, which | will read, taken
from "Porter's Progress of the Nation:''--
RATES OF WAGES.