The weekly Butte record. [volume] (Oroville [Calif.]) 1866-1887, 1867-05-25
Farm Wages in the United States.

Commissioner Newton report for January COZ
tains very interesting and suggestive statistics in
regard to wages paid farm labor in the different
portions Of the United States. The statistics have
been gathered with care. Circulars were dispatch
ed to officers of agricultural societies and other
parties who could be relied TO collect the facts
with Judgment and accuracy, and the statement
as made by the Commissioner, represents the sum
mary OF 1910 formal statements forwarded to him,
each compiled from several others, comprising por-
tions OF counties and districts Very general re-
turns from the Southern States, although not as
many from the Northern.
The general result of these inquiries shows that
there has been an increase of about so per cent in
the rate of wages paid to farm laborers during the
last five years and increase of 20 per cent since
1885. When the rapid immigration of foreigners
began il was feared by many that the competition
of laborers for work would reduce the rate of wa
ees- The result has proved the groundlesSness of
these fears, and it will be long time before the
United States will have more aborers than work.
The present average of farm laborers in this coun
try is SIS month for farm laborers in the Western
and Northern States. and SIS month for freed
men in the South. In England the present rate of
wages is about sl4 month, and in Europe the
rates are still less. The rate of wages in the sew
eral States differ just in proportion 10 the mutpli
cation OF separate industries modified in States
in process of settlement by the increased demand
for consumption cecasioned temporarily by incom-
ing settlers who vet non producers or in the
mining States and territories by the employment of
the majority in mining. The following is table of
average wages per month for farm laborers em-
ployed by the year in the different sections Of the
country:
Eastern States sss 30 Southern States SIG 90
Middle States, 50 W Oregon IS IS
Western States, - 81 California As Il
The Commissioner regards the superior intelli-
genee and activity of our farm laborers one of
the prominent causes for the prevalence of high
rates for agricultural labor in this country. No
where else is so much agricultural labor done by
machinery which requires skill and intelligence in
its management. and nothing has tended more to
elevate labor within itself and enhance its pecun-
ary rewards than the rapid multiplication of labor
saving agricultural machinery. Nearness TO large
cities good facilities of transportation of farm pro-
ducts and the change OF free for slave iobor are
also among the influences that have caused the in
crease of wages, while, Of course the condition OF
currency. and the cense Iuent general advance
in all kinds of prices Is not TO be overlooked: An
other cause of high wages is the great variety OF
regular and remuneIative labor, and the following
illustration is given of the operations 81 this
''Massachu>etts has puor soil. and cannot be
considered farming State. In 1850 the United
States Census returned II 204 farmers, and Il 40
farm aborers, while the total return of all occupa
tons was 454 ,634. The State Census of 1865 makes
the number engaged in agricultural pursuits IS $50,
and employed in manufacturing 27l 24l. The EN-
plovment of all this labor in commerce. in fisher
les in manufactures, in the mechanic arts, and in
trade, requires consumption OF farm produce Tar
greater than the home supply This en- 'bles farm
ers TO select those branches of their business most
profitable under the circumstances and least affect
ed hy foreign competition, the milk trade, the
fruit supply, and the production of perishable veg
etabes.
The facility of obtaining employment in other
occupations gives the farm laborer material ad-
vantage, and enforces his demand for higher rates
of labor. The ult is, at the present time. higher
monthly pay than any State in the Union except
California VIZ: SIS "a for farm labor without board.
And while the necessaries of life are also high,
there is no State in which the agricultural laborer
eniovS the comforts of life To greater extent or
is better fitted to act credable part in his sphere
of society. The advantages of great variety in in
dustry are manifold. of which is the fact that
all classes and capacities, young and old, male and
female are furnished with something to do, and
with motive for doing it, and thus labor in some
form becomes the rule, to which there are few eX-
ceptions Consumers and producers are at each
others DOORS or commngied in the same house
hold. and carriers and go betweens absorb but
small portion of the profits OF industry. There Is
no glut of the markets from excess of production,
the deficiency great expense of transportation
There no occasion to sell for ten cents per
bushc or eggs at six cents dozen, cattle, a. in
Texas. at S. a head.
The following table shows the average rate of
wages paid per month for farm laborers in the sew.
era States and Territories. The first column shows
the rate per month by the year without board and
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