Owyhee bullion. [volume] (Silver City, I.T. [Idaho]) 1866-1867, 1867-07-04

Hard on the Workingman.

OF oppression upon the laboring class, is
about to be inaugurated in 0wyhee County.
Where wages are sufficiently low when COM
pared with the high rates exacted of the la
boring man for the Decessaries he is compel-
ed to purchase, amy reduction is to beregret-
ted. The price of labor should always keep
pace with everything else, or every class and
kind of business must suffer. Should the
the wages of the laborer be reduced, the mer
chant and the business man will soon discov-
er that their Golfers have lost one of the chief
avenues through which the same are filed
Let the working man suffer reduction in
his wages before the condition of affairs will
warrant. and just that soon fatal decline
will be felt in every avenue of trade, detri-
mental alike to the prosperity and advance
ment of the whole community. Wages are
already low enough for the kind of labor per-
formed, and the length of time the muscle is
expected to be exercised for day. A reduc-
ton Of wages ought to be followed by a re-
duction in the prices of goods and the neces-
saries of life, which are to be used by the
working man. Besides reduction in the
price of labor should be followed, by all
means, by reduction OF the hours exacted
as days labor. Until such Il time as re-
auctions are made in other things so as to
bring everything down to fair and just pro-
portion, no reduction shonld be suffered by
the laboring class. They have the power in
their own hands. The shafts and tunnels,
without disposition on the part of the la
borer to be wronged, may be closed and shut
up. Without labor the lodges cannot be de-
veloped, and the precious metals cannot be
extracted. Where no ore is extracted, but
little machinery is likely to move, and stag
nation will ensue. If the capitalist wants
to obtain greater and increased returns for
his investments, it should be his study to
at the fountain head, and from
thence follow the stream Let him, by
means Of his power and influence, prepare
the way for the necessary reduction in the
price of labor. Let the usurer and the CAPT
talist first reduce his percentage, that the
cost of living may be placed upon fair basis,
and then talk ola reduction in wages. In
Nevada the cost of living is but little over
one-half what it is in Owyhee, and yet labor
is held up at 81 coin per day. Why should
labor be put down TO three dollars per day,
while the absolute and necessary expenditures
ofthe sons of toll, are nearly double what
they are in our sister Slater While we
claim to be the friend of the workingman,
We can but denounce the project as unjust
and oppressive. Let everything be affected
Inc same way, and no special crusade be
made upon labor. This will be nothing but
strict justice and can be no injury to any one.
We have long since been convinced that the
mines of Owyhee could not be successfully
worked until great reduction should take
,lace, both in the price of labor and the neces-
iary commodities used in mining camp. But
trict impartiality ought to be observed, so
IS to be oppressive upon nome The pros
,erity, advancement and upbuilding of the
country, should be the constant labor Of
very good citizen. AS men increase in
wealth, SO the country advances in material
md permanent wealth. 1t cannot reasona-
'ly be expected that every man will become
'ich in single day, in whatever avocation
lie may follow. This may be the result of
patient persevering toll, and strict and dill
rent attention to business. For this we have
III forsaken the pleasures of our former
ZONES, and buried ourselves in the mountain |
astnesses of Owyhee. Some sympathy for
he exertions of Others ought to be exhibited |
Live and let live, should be our motto. If
We are not willing that Others should amass
! fortune in single year, we ought not to
Expect to accomplish any more ourselves. |
# reductions are necessary. let them fall up
IN every thing alike, and let every man share
lis proportion Of the loss. This is just and |