The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-05-16
B U SIN E s s.

JUSTICES - uull THIS spring. livery
day we hear this, or similar remark, mad,
by our tradcsmen and mechanics, and WI
are sorry to say, uttered, not unfrequently
in that dcspairing tone which indicates nc
intention Of an earnest desire to inquire in.
to the causes of this depression, with view
to find remedy. The complaint Of dull.
ness in business matters in all branches, but
manufacturing Of cottons, is well founded
The causes for this depression will be obvi'
Gus to all who will give the matter a little
reflection.
We propose to give a little time andspac,
to the consideration Of business topics, hay.
ing in view mainly reference to the interest
of the locality in which our paper is pub
lishel. We have, ON several occasions, and
at different intervals, suggested the impor.
lance Of introducing other branches of me
chanical industry, so as TO have some reli.
ancc besides that which now is in operation
here, and constitutes the main arm of sup
port, and the advantages possessed by our
place for the successful pursuits of other
branches Of industry, we have pointed out,
and enforced the necessity Of rvsorting to
them, If our place was to advance in pros
perity. In the activity caused by the ercc-
lion and establishment of the factories here,
our suggestions have been forgotten, and
now with the completion Of the mills hcic,
and the constructive operations Of the cor
porations closed, or drawing to a close, Our
place is beginning TO feel and realize the
necessity of more diversified industrial occu.
pations. Manufacturing Of cotton goods j:
tolcrably prosperous, hut variety of causes
are conspirinS to limit and check further
advance in general prosperity. So long a,
the corporations were engaged in erecting
their works, there was demand for the in.
dustry Of all tradrs, and the outlay for III,
mills, machinery and other operations, WA
distributed through all classes of the com
munity, the brickmakcr, mason, lumber
man, farmer, all, received share OF the
money expended in return for labor or ma.
tcrialS, and the capitalist instead Of obtain
ins dividends was constantly parting with
his money. Now we have different state
Of things, the corporations have finished
their erection, and the mills are at work.
The labor Of the brickmakcr, the stone
mason, the house carpenter, and Of other
mechanics is no longer wanted, and instead
Of them the mill operative alone Is rcquir-
ed. Steadily with the erection Of the mills,
our city has grown in prosperity and popu-
htion, but We have now arrived 10 that
point OF time when other branches Of bust
ness must be introduced to give us further
prosperity. And the need is the greater.
because the manufacturers Of cotton goods
have now their business so well arranged
ar1 systematized, as to enable them to con.
troll better the prices they have to pay for
their labor, and by the introduction ofthat OF
n foreign character, either displace the ma
tive or reduce its standard ofwagcs to that
paid to the foreigners. In fact with some
exceptions, the wages Of the operatives, and
especially Of males, amount to little morr
than enough to supply present wants, lcav
Ing little to be laid away, and, 50 far as our
place is concerned, the profits OF the busi-
ness Of manufacturing, instead Of going To
build up our place, is carried away to be
expended elsewhere.
Siid n house carpenter TO us the other
day, Every few buildings will be erected
here this summer" and indeed said he.
"unl'ss some new business springs up. al.
though our population may incrcas, some
what. bat few more houses will be needed.
ana all the carpenters viii find to do is to
keep those already built, in rcpair, and !
am going to put ior the west" aud to thai
ElDorado, he has gone. Our population i,
increasing, and up to a certain point will
increase, but. land we make no complain,
OF the corporation officers ON this account.
they simply follow the law Of trade whiel
il applicable to labor) its increase will not
be likely to render our place more desin-
bic one to 1--we in, or TO attract to il men o.
capital and business resources. The chang,
which is gradually being wrought in tn
character of.our population, and its disld
yantagoS to all except to stockholders in the
mills, are too obvious to require many item,
Of detail. IL is q population that confnc,
itself to small space, and carcs little for those
comforts ofhousc room, and brCathing space.
which have become to be necessities among
native mechanics and operatives. The car.
pcrtcs before referred 10 remarked "that
house that would satisfy an industrious
mechanic with family Olive or six, would
accommodate and satisfy several families o!
equal numbers of the class Of people to
which we refer, and said he, "your popula-
ton may increase twelve hundred, yet as it
character is changing there will be found
house room for II without much additional
bailding." This is undoubtedly the fact.
Much as we should desire to SO n different
population filling our place, population
that would DO making itself homes, and
surrounding those homes with the evidences
OF intelligence and refinement, suci rs gar
dcns, trees and those things which CON- inc