The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-06-28

This Is a question that Is now being
generally discussed in the newspapers.
There is u widespread inquiry into the
relations that should obtain between
capital and labor. And there is an ac-
tive sympathy among the best people
oIIbis country and England with the
movements now going on to amelior-
uIe the condition OF the working classes
The great problem discussed is how to
more justly equaIfze the profits between
those who work and those who hire. A
great variety OF remedial expedients
have been proposed, the most promi-
nent being the cooperative system
among operatives. On this point
we notice an interesting conversation
between Senator Wade, of Ohio, and a
correspondent of the Cincinnati Com
4aereiGl, which Is reported in yesterdays
issue of that paper. We takethe follow
Ing extract from 1t, as follows:
We urged the venerable Senator to
give US his views onthe labor question,
and he did SO at great length, saying
among other things "that system OF
labor which degrades the poor mau and
eIevates the rich; which makes the rich
richer and the poor poorer; which drags
the very soul out OF the poor man for a
pitiful existence, Is wrong. We must
elevate he laborer and give him share
in the proceeds of his labor"
We nsked him how that was to be
done, and he said:
81 don't know; have thought upon
the subject, but cannot solve It. The
man who successfully solves that
problem will do more for the world
,b.n any man that has lfyad in II afDra
the dHysrof Christ"
We asked him II he had no ideas
about the matter
'FYes," he replied, "many, but none
worthy of SO grave a subject. believe
however, that the shadow of the great
struggle il upon us, and we must meet
IL. There Is n oeep discomfort among
abe muses., and they will shortly de-
mand that their condition be made
more comfortable. Both in this coun.
try and England, there Is a restless
ness, feverish excitement, discon-
Isntedn,ss with their lot among the
poor classes that We cannot disregard.
Tho people want more recreation; more
enjoyment; they are casting about for
relief from their monotonous and half
starved condition, and they will have It,
We related TO Mr.. Wade, Horace
Greeley's plan of cooperative labor,
aud asked what he thought OF II, and
what was his opinion of Mr.. Greeley.
He said: "Mr. Greeley Is a wise man;
he has done some very foolish things;
but he perhaps has more knowledge on
all subjects than any man in this coun-
try. think well OF his plan, and the
idea OF cooperation, II carried out
among the working classes, will do
much to ameliorate their condition. +"
He then went on to show how in Cincin-
natl, New York, Boston, and other pla-
oes, working.men combined, started
manufacturers and were doing we'll
He showed how, by the principle of CO,
operation, laborers in large factories
could build or rent houses, buy goods In
large quantities for their families, and
In various ways save about one-thlrd
OF what 1t now costs them to live
"But," said Mr.. Wade, "the principle
OF CO, operation Is about as far as have
got, and, though certainly good in 1t
self, It will not cover the whole case,
and still something more will be re-
quired..'