New-York tribune., 1868-11-06
THE OPPRESSION OF THE LABoRER.


1t seems taken for granted that the taxes
assessed upon business and upon articles OF
necessity and luxury have placed the common
people, and in particular tho day laborer, in
much worse condition than before the War.
So depressing and gloomy are said to be the
prospects of the producing classes that a certain
class of writer's and speakers repeatedly, and
with great variety of illustration, depict the
miseries of the common people, and they add
that they are SO grievous they cannot much
longer be borne. The audacity and vehemencs
of those partisans have done much to withdraw
attention from the real facts regarding the in
tluence which taxation in various forms. arising
from our heavy debt. has upon the welfare OF
those who depend upon daily labor for their
bread.
We cannot forget, for We are continually re-
minded Of the high prices of breadstufls, meat.
sugar, tea, clothing, and, in short, of almost
every article consumed by individuals or fami-
lies-but an important fact is omitted The
truth is, and the most careful scrutiny will
sustain the assertion. wages have advanced
equally with the prices of the commodities re-
ferred to. which no one knows better than
they who should know best, that is, those who
nue, anu III SOME tIutn II eo SthciohJ
felt, that to employ laborers is much like in
dulgng in an expensive luxury. Before the
War; laborers' wages in the country were from
| 80 to 20 cents day; in the city, something
| higher; while flour was from &c to 81 BARREL
cotton cloth, from q TO cents yard: pork.
| s cents, and beef ~ cents per pound The
| present prices average 100 per cent higher.
At tho same time, labor has also advanced 100
per cent. that is, TO 81 80 and ~ per day
| aud, as II general thing. the hours of work are
less, and less work is done. 1t is certainly
| true. also, that there IL more demand for
| laborers than before tho War, while IN many
sectious the supply is not equal to the demand.
| Now. as the relation between the rate of wages
aud the prices oi goods and provisions is the
| same as before the War, the complaint that the
| producing classes are oppressed 10y manufac-
| tHrers and moneyed men, or ut least moro than
| formerly, is without foundation. The term
unequal taxation" is often used, but it has
no application to laborcrs unless they are rich.
because there is no direct tax except upon per-
SONS whose income is so large rs to take them
out OF the class of laboreH; while the increase
iii the local taxation upon small possessions
| has been 50 little as not to be worth naming.
except in those places where the people pre-
| feired To hire substitutes to defend the cont
mon country. The facts regarding tho prices
of labor and commodities need surprise no one.
for in country like ours prices adjust them
selves, and what is in disproportion will only
exist during tho continuance of contracts.
Before the War there was no time, except
during brief commercial reyulsions when in
dustrious and prudent farmers, mechanics, and
day aborers could not in the great majority OF
cases lay by something with each year; for
thousands among these classes rose from the
smallest beginnings to independence, and
not unfrequently to wealth. Nor have op-
poitunities been withdrawn; taxes and high
prices are unreal, and the prospects OF tha
laboring classes for future improvement never
were bettor-indeod, they never were sc
good as now. When labor was 80 cents day
aud 10 cents were saved. tho amount so saved