Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-02-18
Westminster Farmers Club.
HIGH PRICES OF LABOR.

prices OF labor benehciai 10 young men
N. G. PIERcE,-I don't feel myself
competent to argue this important ques'
ton. But some of us have lived fifty
wears, when the price Of labor was less
than now, even as low as IS or $40 per
month and in looking back to those
days-to the then laboring class ofyoung
men, they were a steady, prudent class,
laying up their wages. would say
nothing against the present age of young
men. What have to say and wish to
have said here upon this question, is to
do them good. 1t may be the high price
of labor has a tendency to make them
spendthrifts, while in receiving less UNI
der low prices for labor, might inculcate
habits of industry, economy, frugality,
&C., bringing them into situation where
they could not lay out so much Of their
money for things needlessly.
JOIN McNEII.-I have lived in times
of high wages and low wages. The first
season | worked out was one and twen-
ty, and received $40 per month-s6o
for six months, and it was saved. l
thought it quite sum, and went home
TO see if Father would hire me through
the winter. He did not want to hire, so
/ started for Chester, let myself three
months for s2l, (S7 per month"; and
laid that up. And now when | look
back upon those young men that worked
out when | did, at nine and ten dollars
per month, find they almost invariably
made good citizens, and wealthy busi-
ness men. Look at the young men now;
we see great change. Thsy are not so
good young men, and far more reckless.
Then they would work for high wages if
they could get them, if not, for low, such
as they could get; work they would.
Once in a great while there would be
one who would strike for high wages, or
else not work. Such fellows generally
turned out to be miserable. ! don't
think the present high prices for labor
advantageous to our young men; on the
other hand, / think they are detrimental.
IN. FARR.-I don't think the high
prices for labor make young men reck-
less. This state of things so apparent
among young men at the present, may
be. traced to want of parental disci-
pine Sir, l don't think it hurts young
men to earn large wages. If educated
to save small wages, they will know
what is proper to do with large wages.
The gentleman's arguments remind me
of the darkey who was chopping upon a
large log, and the bystapders kept prais-
ing the axe, as it SO easily entered the
wood, but no praise for the poor darkey
as the sweat ran down his face. He be
came discouraged, and threw the axe in
to the air and exclaimed "See I'M ca
non p
Educate them right, and the axe vii
cut right. For years past, the style 0
bringing up our boys is to keep them a
school until they must 60 behind tn
counter or into an office, right in tn
midst of all the allurements and ex
travagancies of the world They canno
withstand the temptations they are SO il
prepared. They become irregardless c
consequences, reckless, miserable-no
on account of high wages, but from
false education.
w. S. BARRY.-This is a question {
considerable Importance. As We trac
it in all its ramifcations, we who are az
vanced see great change. True,
takes mlre now to prosecute bushes
than it used to, more to pay for recre;
tons, &c. / remember twenty yea
ago of hiring men for s12 per mont
and they were up and at work early an
late, and wanted no pay until they g
through. Now they want their none
as fast, or faster, than they earn it.
seems to me the more money they hay
to spend wrongfully, the worse for ther
1t used to be if young man had got
60 five miles and could get team f
30 cts, he would foot it; now, rath
than SO that distance ON foot, he will {
to the livery stable and pay So for
team. Thus they are in the habit
patronizing livery stables, visiting s
looms, and billiard rooms. Now woul
it not be better for them if they had lie
to spend? Ibelieve if they were nece
STATED to greater industry, it would !
better for themselves and the world.
d. X. BARRY.-Confning ourselv
to our own circle of acquaintance, al
as we go back in our memory we find '
never knew when we first put the ha
ness on,-we were born insn. We dor
want young men brought up as we wei
l don't think young men succeed now
they did when they commenced Doc
And it has almost heroine q fixed "a