The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-01-29
Economy.

The activity that has been thrown into va
rious departments of business by the demands
occasioned by the war, and the large number
drawn from the productive pursuits TO fill up
the ranks of our army, give the mechanic and
laboring men generally an opportunity to
procure higher rate Of wages than they
have been accustomed to receive and conse-
guently stimulates the desire, or rather the
propensity to expend money for articles that
ordinarily would not be deemed essentially
necessary. In some instances style OF living
has been entered upon so far as relates to fur
niture, dress, &C., which it will be found,
when the reverse comes, exceedingly difficult
10 maintain or change.
While the rate Of wages is increased, every
thing that is required for family consumption
Is at famine prices. This renders it necessary
10 study the strictest economy in regard to
the use of those luxuries that when purchased
ct reasonable rates it would be perfectly prop
er TO use freely. When apples can be pur-
chased for 10 cents a barrel they may be used
without stint, but when three and four dollars
barrel is demanded for them, it becomes
quite different state of the case
With sugar at is cents poand, tea $500,
butter 30 cents and coffee 81 cents, it may be
peofectly proper for a man who earns his
money by hard labor to reduce the quantity
used so as to enable him to have in reserve few
dollars TO fall back on when he may find less
demand for his labor or find himself obliged,
by the influx of laborers, to work for reduced
wages. Nothing contributes SO much TO the
Independence of laboring man as to have
"shot in the locker" If then he is told that
he must submit to a reduction Of wages, he
has the means of looking about him to see
where his labor will be best remunerated, and
his rights and feelings most regarded. Then
again in time of war, every man owes some
thing to his country; aye, every thing-pror-
erty, life, all If need be. If not called to give
up these, let us remember the family of the
soldier
Let US bear 10 mind that there are men
fighting our battles, who left families at home
dependent upon them, when the bounties
were mere pittance and the pay not one half
what their families required. These families
are getting something from the city or towns,
but the whole amount would be considered.
by most families, inadequate TO furnish the
comforts Of life. Let those who are receiving
liberal pay or profits, appropriate a small
amount Of their increasing income in aid of
such, thereby be enabled to do much 10 make
comfortable the families of the soldiers, with
whom any true prtrlot would be willing to di-
vide his last loaf
II at any time proper regard should be
had to our expenditures, it is in time of war.
While to-day person may be swimming upon
the tide ofprosperity, sudden changes in the
current may cause the waves to flow over
him and all his available resources be required
TO keep from sinking. Again, our noble SOL
diers who are exposed TO the deprivations and
tolls Of the camp and the battle field are en-
titled to generous support Ten or twenty
dollars expended solely for the qualification of
suffering soldier, who is exposed to hardships
and deprivations. which those who remain at
home know but little about
Economy should be practiced, then, for the
purpose Of enabling a person TO aid the soldier
and his family, and to provide against change
in affairs, which sooner or later will be expe-
risnced. The people Of Maine know but little
Of the sacrifices that have been made and the
losses that have been endured by the border
State men and by the loyal men of the disloy-
al States. A common interest and brother
hood should prompt all who are in prosper
Gus circumstances TO contribute 70 their re-
lief