Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-10-09
Tho rsn,.,L of Mr.. Burke, that chose who

atta-,nt to level, never equallze, was ne'ei
more applicable than to the present Anti
Es.~rtiy N Bill. The price Of everything those
in the schedule (by the lst s%ection) and those
not in the schedule, (by the I'd section may
all be brought to the same dead level OF q hSeo
standard, and yet there will be no equality
The multifarious ranifcations OF trace anu
commerce cannot be detected and brought to
tho souareo Of auv commissioners without un'
settling that regular ebb and how Oh supply
and demand upon which depends the supper,
of communities.
Wages were never so high as at present
the present high price of labor enters into the
cost of every article Of food and clothing; are
the prices Of wages to be regulated by the
law? If high prices cause high wages high
wages should be reduced by the same ratio
and standard when the high prices are re-
duced. But no man proposes to reduce wages;
thew are to be left to the laws Of supply and
demand, while the products of labor, into the
manufacture of which the high price of wages
has entered, are to be reduced to on artificial
standard. Hero is ~leveling, but where is the
equality?
Shall we be told that wages will reduce
themselves when prices of living are brought
down? That man understands but little of
human nature who supposes that the limited
supply of labor will be effected by the reduc-
ton of prices. The great mass of the laboring
population sin the army that portion not in
the army is so much below the demands of the
manufactures of the country that prices are IN
the control, not of the employers, but of the
EMPLOYEES. The condition Of the currency
will not permit the laborer to reduce his
wages, even when the prices of living are re-
duccd to the,standard paid by the Govern
ment. At least, this will be the argument
when the law of prices has passed. And what
is the manufacturer to do? lie cannot en-
ploy other operatives, for there are none to
employ; he must conduct his business at a loss,
and this he will not do. Then. the laborer
is out of employment and has no wages to pay
even government prices. The interests OF
employer and employee are not in conflict, but
are in utmost harmony. Legislation cannot
be so framed rs to rob tho employer without
destroying the employee. If the manufactu'
rer cannot make the u,moSt profit that the
times and currency will permit, he will aban-
don his business and throw out Of employ
ment all those denenGcnt upon him for wages.
Prices may be brough! to the level of the
Commissioners, but if the schedule prices are
not remuncrative, stagnation ensues, wages
cease, and the evil is increased.
The Legislature should add another section
giving to the Commissioners the power to
grade the price of wages in the same proper,
ton that the price Of provisions and clothing
is reduced; to reduce the price paid for house
rent, for feel, and then compel landlords to
rent their houses, end the coal companies to
supply the coal, and the farmers the wood
If the experiment is to be made, let it be fully
tried. A partial experiment will not give
relief.
Avarice is n vice not wholly unattended
with good. Those who "make haste to get
rich" in these times, however despicable, are
vet unable to accomplish their object without
in some measure, benefting their fellow men.
The Spectator in the necessaries of life, in
such times as these, is a most despicable
wretch; but even his avarice induces him to
lay in supplies impelled by the prospects OF
great profits. These supplies have to be sold,
and are distributed from localities of plenty
to communities where scarcity exists. Thus
these sordid wretches, fattening upon the
m~iseries Of their fellow men, nevertheless arc
not without some use iu this world. If the
Legislature imposes the penalty Of fixed prices
upon these avaricious spectators and destroy
the motive to collect supplies, who is going to
undertake this necessary duty? Who is going
into the country to purchase meats and bring
them to Richmond when the profit is denied
him by the fixed price? Is any man to be
expected to give time, labor and money in
searching for the ncccssaries of life when O
fixed price prevents his receiving what be
considers a fair proftY
Legislation designed to punish speculation
in the neces.aries of life is not ly proper, but
demanded by every consideration Of public
necessity. We care not how severe the penalty
be made against forestallers, extortioners and
SPECTATORS. Confscation not ouly of the ar
ticle boarded or speculated in, but any and al
other property owned by the wretches for the
benefit of the poor is not too severe. Such
legislation against the guilty may do much
good without injuring the supply of the mar
kets.
It is beautiful in theory to talk Of adjust
ing prices, of making ell things square by
the schedule; but when the Legislature has
got its law fairly under way the empty
market houses Of the cities aud towns may
present an awful commentary upon the wis
dom of its action. If the cities and towns arc
permitted TO pay 25 per cent. higher than the
country, but little will be sold in the country,
and starvation will be at the door Of country
p,or.. If the cities and towns are not per
mitted to pay higher than the country moth
ing will come to the cities and towns; for nj
man is going to send his provisions to town
and pay the freight upon them and get nc
more for them than he could in the country
or to the army. The law Of supply and de-
mand, interrupted by the dead level Of the
fixed price, will cease to operate: fraud and
perjury, and secret sales at higher prices will
be- resorted to; the poor will find nothing fl
to eat exposed to sale at the fixed prices; thasv
who are able to pay more, and willing not te
inform, will find plenty in the back stairs and
alleys of the city, and in the secret places in