Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1857-11-05
Want of Employment at Philadelphia

The number of people out of employment in
this city, as recently estimated by the press, so
far from being exaggerated, seems to fall short
of the reality. Of our numerous factories few
if any, have at present their full complement of
hands. Indeed, all have restricted, most Of them
entirely suspended operations. We have little
doubt but shat in Philadelphia and her vicinity,
between 10000 and 40 900 operatives, counting
males, females and adults and minors, are sub
jected to compulsory idleness, and its oncomitant
evils 1t is impossible that this state of things
can continue much longer without reacting most
detrimentally, both upon the moral and material
complexion of society The damage done in the
latter respect may, indeed, be repaired in time
But history teaches with . warning voice,
that widespread decentralization is not so readi-
ly conquered. Its poison will rankle in the
veins Of the body, social and polite, for genera
TONS and of all the sources of human depravity
extreme restitution has ever proved the most
prolific. Considering the subject in its econom-
ical bearings alone, it appears evident that we
cannot confront the future with mere reliance
upon charitable contributions. Surprising, for
instance, the number of dismissed operatives in
Philadelphia and vicinity. to be 10000 (Which
is very near the TRUTH and their earnings at a
reduced valuation, comfortable to altered cir
cumstances, not to exceed six dollars per week
on an average for adults and minors of both sex
es, the falling off in the creation of wealth is
month (of 26 working days) of inactivity is a
loss to the community of $l,040, 900. These
figures represent just about what is required to
sustain the lives of these people, and of those
who depend on their exertions, which latter
number perhaps 100000 To carry them thro
the five months of cold weather, which are al
ready upon us, demands sum of SIS 200, 600
The only practicable, and moreover, the only
honorable way to procure this sum is by labor
If people of property were actually willing 10
contribute that amount they could not accom-
plish it. The owner of houses, for example,
has himself no means unless he receives the rent
from his tenants; which the latter cannot pay
unless they earn wages. Nor can they purch-
ase anything when unemployed, and nothing
being purchased, merchants and retailers are
without resources. Capitalists cannot expect to
draw interest so long as mines, factories, rail-
roads, iron works, ETC., in which their property
is invested, are doing no paying business, and
they too will, therefore, be unable to assist their
suffering fellow men. All are oosers but in
solvent until work be resumed. Labor is the
true and only capital of society: on its results,
in the shape of coal and minerals, buildings pro-
visions, clothing, society subsists. When the
creation of this kind of capital is impaired or
ceases, society must suffer privations. These
will first press on the poor, zen on the middle
classes, and finally, they will affect even the
rich None can escape the general calamity,
however gradually and indirectly its effects may
be brought home to them. Let all, then, COM
bine their means, intellectual, physical and f.
nancial, to set the machinery of production in
motion again; for it is, We have repeatedly
demonstrated, the only remedy for the 'hard
times of which we complain so much 1t is not
by lamentations. nor by charity, but simply by
labor, that the emergency is to be met. The
main reason assigned for the discontinuance of
work is, that the heads of industrial establish
ments are utterly unable to procure the weekly
amount of wages. Ifthey cannot procure these
at the former rates of labor, they should not re-
lax, but redouble their efforts to secure every
dollar, and offer employment for what they can
afford to pay. But this involves the necessity
of enabling the people to subsist on reduced
earnings; which is only possible by reduction
of rents, of taxes, provisions and all necessaries
of life. The thousands and thousands of respec-
table artiticers and needle W omen and people of
every trade, who are already in straitened cir
eumstances, or threatened by want, and who, if
it overtake them, would shrink from the very
thought Of an exposure of their forlorn situa-
ton; whose delicacy of sentiment forbids them
to ask ought but al opportunity to earn their
daily bread by honorable toll, they, we say, must
be cared for before all others. ytranian.