The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-01-21
STATISTICS OF LABOR.

4
es, afford an interesting subject for in
vestigation to all, and especially to the
laboring man himself: for they teach
him how much he can accomplish Tor
himself as well as the State; they show
him his own worth in the community,
and teach him to respect himself and ho-
nor his station, and to claim, and try to
fulfil the Obligations of his position in
society. Whenever we can get accurate
statistics Of the products Of labor, we are
surprised at the importance Of its
achievements. We have the details Of
the manufactures of Jewelry and Iron in
Providence, r. 1. The manufacture OF
jewelry began in that city nearly cen
fury ago. From very small beginnings
it has increased, till it now supports one
eighth Of the population Of city o. Co.
600 inhabitants. There are sixty-four
different establishments, some Of them
employing so and rs workmen each.
The whole number usually kept at work |
is from 400 to 1900. who, With 800 |
clerks and travelling agents, make the
whole number actually engaged in the
business between 100 and 1900. The
amount Of weekly wages paid to these
persons is about SIC. 700, making mil
lion of dollars year. The labor is
about one third of the cost Of the manu-.
factured articles, and the value Of the
whole product is about 100000 per
annum; and as the profit of the manu-.
facturers is from 20 to 80 per cent, the
total sales are about S3,750o0o.
In the same city the number OF work
men employed before the crisis in the
shop manufactures. for making edged
tools, screws. butts. nails. machinery,
engines, &C., was about 1900. to whom
was paid in weekly wages an amount
that exceeded 100000 annually In
the two pursuits there were about $500
men employed. Supposins each laborsr
has on an average two persons dependent
upon him for support, there would b
10000 inhabitants, or one.6fth Of the
whole population Of the city. directly
dependent upon m,nual labor in these
two branches of business. II We add to
these the number, who, Is landlords,
retailers and non- producers vho derived
an indirect support from these workmen,
it would appear that one-iourth Of the
entire population Of the city derive .
living from these workshops. scattered
through retired streets, where they
would be scarcely observed By stranger
visiting the town.
These facts serve to impress N with
sense Of what labor does accomplish
Three thousand men BY their manual
labor earn in wages for themselves ST.
100000 annually, whilst they give BY
their skill and industry IN additional
value to their products-over and above
the cost Of the raw materials and their
own wages--of nearly two millions moro
which is realized by the employers and
capitalists that furnish the money, in the
form OF interests and profits. Three
thousand busy men, like bees, concealed
in their cells Of industry, are annually
producing values equal to the taxable
property Of our whole city. This labor
gains no protection scarcely, or attracts
the regards Of tho State Government,
that never thinks Of making law to
guard and shield it. But the fixed prop
erty of a city-worth no more than the
annual earnings of this labor-is hedged
round with legal protection and guard
ians who watch it by night and by day
If a confagration sweeps over it and de.
stroys the town, it is calamity lament
ed by the entire country; but the pro-
ductive labor of . few thousand uncap
italized men may be paralyzed and ar
rested for months or year, and no ous
heeds the loss or troubles himself Il
compute it; because the loss is unseen
and intangible it is no less real and great
in amount.
The 5000 Providence jewellers and
iron workers who have for years created
annually 100000 for themselves and
$4,000. 900 for the capitalists and employ
ers, are now nearly all idle-their in.
dnstry panic stricken-their means o
children, their wives, and themselves j
not oppressed by want, are deeply op.
pressed by fearful apprehensions of tn.
future as the small fund Of past saving.
is disappearing, and their own snd tie
community's wealth is being consumed
in Idleness.
The losses sustained By the eaiamitie,
that iDaict idleness upon industry is mo-
Ia. q