The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1869-01-20
r.eOst Of Living N 1880 ana.,n lse1.

D Hsff r
Z In the aruuhl report of David A. Wells,
special commissioner of Internal ReVenue.
are two interesting tables showing the aver
age weekly earnings and expenses Of fami-
lies in 1860 and 1867. These tables show
that while the rate of wages has increased,
the cost of living has increased. yet more.
For instance, in 1850, the average weekly
earnings of families were $12 10, and the
average expense SO IS, leaving surplus Of
81 81 In 1867 the average earnings were
$18 e6, and the expenses weEe the same.
The same articles which cost Big SO in
1867 could have been bought for SO 50
in 1860. Thus the cost OF living has in
creased about so per cent, while the rate Of
wages has increased hut 81 per cent The
difference of % per cent? goes TO pay the
interest of the public debt and the rnipous
expense OF = asgoEernment run on principles
OF Radical ,extraYagance, as well as into the
pockets of those individuals for whom the
tariff is being continually increased. And
the working classes instead of being able to
lay BY $66. ~ 3 year, in gold have actually
nothing left when al their bills are paid at
the end OF the year. - sli4 4it-ri
I. Tie ccmtnissioner draws the conclusion
from these facts that i'the condition Of
working men and women IN a majority of
the manufacturing towns in the United
States iB not IS good at the present time Is
It was previous 20 the war, Notwithstanding
that their wages are greater.n He further
shows, by taking the price of -four a. z
standard, that the working people of the
United States ara not 50 well off by 20 per
cent. as they were in 1860; OF, Otherwise,
helabor which then would buy barrel and
q. half of -four will now buy but 3 barrel and
q aqasrter. 1t is likewise ascertained that
while the price of flour ip New England
has increased over 81 per cent, the Wages
of factory operatives have increased only
81 per cent, and the rats, of board has in
creased from go to &C per cent The COM
missioner says; osrr
t.sPhese illustrations, from the data in the
possession of the commissioner, might be
greatly extended; but enough of evidence,
probably, has been, adduced to prove that
whether we adopt money or -four Is the
standard for comparison of wages and com
modities in 1860 and 1851, the result ls not
dissimilar, viz: the purchasing power of
the irredeemable paper money now in use is
not equal to what it was in the ante-Ear
years of 1860-6l.; and that the aOOrki9g
men al4d GoOnses1 of the country DO NOT
IlotC ,Teceire as much IN return for their
'LclooT as befoTe the 9ccrT'.'a ~
q Hence he concludes that s'the rich are
becoming richer and The poor poorer. The
principal cause of this unfortunate condi--
ton of affairs he considers TO be the incon-
Yertible paper currency which curses the
country While that currency may IN part
aid in forcing the laboring Glasses into their
present condition, we do not believe Il Is the
chief cause. Indeed, what other condition
can the working people of the United States
OCCUPY when the burdens Of the. eountry
are resting upon their shoulders, while those
who are better able 70 bear oticsb burdens
are partially il not wholly relieved from
them And, also, when q large portion of
the capital of the country Is Withdrawn
from enterprises which produce wealth, ems
ploy labor eepdl help TO pay the taxes Of
government, and is not only exempted from
tsxAtion, but demands from the industry of
the country . ipOrtien of its EARNINGS, what
other riresuh than the one we are now con-
sidering could be anticipatedi f,sr
s7 The people win begin to belieYe ere long,
that public debt is not apublic blessing,
and viii learn that such blessings, like a Jug
handle, are all one side. LSsntinel & Wit
ness Conn. "a 1. a'll.e--