The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-03-01

not hampered by the reflection that mems lives
may be cyphered away as we sum up the rights
of capital, and that the happiness of thousands
may be sacrificed when we insist on rigid adhe-
renee to the theories of free trade. If therefore
Lynn is overstocked with shoemakers, and their
wages have consequently deprecated they need
not want Tor occupation, and if they cannot find
IL IN one place, or in one department of industry.
they are bound to try their fortunes in another
Ihey are under an equal obligation to take this
course II the reduction of their wages is attrbua
oie as is said to be the case to the general depres
sion of the boot and shoe business. This we are
disposed to believe, for we can scarcely think that
the manufacturers, if they were making large
prohts, would have permitted the strike to last
more than very few days without Offering to
compromise with the workmen. They would
prefer, when they found that the latter were bent
upon carrying their point, to give an advance on
their present wages rather than close their factories
Tor months, and suffer loss from the total stoppape
OF their business AS, therefore, they have taken
so determined stand, we must presume that the
following statement, in one of our exchanges
gives correct account of the position of the man.
uiacturers. The reasons adduced in favor of their
acuon, seem to be conclusive. The writer says
embraced the opportunity afforded by this adjourn
et IN company with gentleman of Lynn to visit sew
ea OF the principal bosses One of them who is one Of
he largest If not the largest manufacturer in the cty
T me INTO ms lofts and showed me his stock hand
Iwo stories of large building completely occupied
with boxes and racks of Shoes many of which had been
LOT long time on hand. He said he was glad of the
STRIKE so lar as he concerned but pitied the poor
strikers for he believed much misery would be caused
among Them He said he had been losing money for
year or more He had faith in the success of the
strike but said when he could afford to nav higher wages
he should do so. 49,
another boss said he was 900 poorer now than he
shouu nave been II he had not manufactured shoe for
year He also lacked confidence in the strike He be-
ievea the interests of the workmen and bosses
uehcai and the prosperity of one class be
shown by the other.''
Under such circumstances it is absurd to suppose
that any combination compel the ''bosses' to
carry on a losing business. Nothing can prevent
them from closing their factories altogether, and it
is to be supposed that they will wind up their affairs
sooner than submit to ruinous terms. If the trade
is really unprosperous, those who are dependent
on it, whether they lie ''bosses'' or iourneymen
cannot better it by resort to extreme measures
They may infict injury upon each other, but as in
almost every instance the strikers have heretofore
come off second BEST they will be apt to do so
now. Men will become soured by the struggle,
and impoverished by contributing to the expense
of maintaining it and they will eventually
learn by experience what many previous ex-
amples should have taught them. They will find
in the end that mere majorties cannot control the
markets, and that in attempting to do so, they act
as oolishly as those who, in period of scarcity,
should refuse bread because they could get but
half a loaf