New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-04-05
CHANGES r0R TIE BETTER.


There is much grumbling and discon-
tent about the present wages Of laborers
and servants. The high prices demanded
by this class of the people have been
vigorously denounced, whereas it has been
ON their part unavoidable. Never before
was there such irregularity in the prices OF
provisions and all the necessaries OF life.
These, notwithstanding the downward
tendency of gold, have been kept up at
the highest notch, and consequently, the
laboring class, in order to exist, must de-
mand sufficient remuneration for their
work. Flour, ii is true, has fallen, being
but half the rates it was during the war,
but beef and other meats are as high as
when ut the very highest. Sugar has
| fallen to .one-third the war price. The
prices Of coffee and butter have diminished
some, but not much; while cotton and
linen goods, although ostensibly cheaper,
upon examination are found to be, instead
OF pure quality, as advertised, shoddy
mixture of smooth surface. in reality not
whit cheaper.
Since the heavy fall OF gold employers
have been busily agitating the question of
attempting to bring the rates of wages to
what they were len years ago No wonder
then that he laboriDg class are apprehen-
siye, and this accounts for the various
strikes that are occurring all over the
country. They declare, and with justice,
that no reduction should be made until
there is irregular and established decrease
in rents and market prices. With regard
to rents particularly, complaints are loud
and universal, for, with us, the rent of
small houses are still kept up to the high
est war rates, which are twice the amount
they were previous 10 the rebellion.
II is recognized by all classes that the
present inflated prices can not last for
ever, and we have no doubt that the
working. and industrial classes will be
quite ready to accept the situation, what
ever it may be. When production is
cheaper, then labor will be, and if wages
are to be lowered there must first be a re-
duction of the cost of living.
We trust all this may be managed with
out any serious arrangement, and with
regard to our own city, We have every
reason to believe that when the newly ap-
pointed Administrators commence active
operations, they will manage affairs so
admirably and Systematically as to cor
rect much pecuniary irregularity, and
hasten that halcyon period of our NUM-
cipal affairs which all so devoutly desire.
And here we would take occasion to say,
that too much praise can not be awarded
to Governor II. G. Warmoih. for the wis.,
dom he has manifested in his judicious Sc
lection of the gentlemen who are to regu-
late the affairs of our unfortunate city.
Young as he is, he has exhibited 10 this
as IN many others during his
gUbernat orial career, the wisdom OF ma
ture years and experience.
Especially do we commend in his choice
Of officers for the city government his Sc
lection of full proportion of what are
termed "the old Union Citizens" whose
loyalty was demonstrated from the trying
Says of 1862, and who subsequently
adopted Republican principles.
Many of these were men of high character,
.bility, and even Of personal popularity,
md all suffered great obloquy for their
opinions, meeting a hostility from their
from which those who ar
lived since the war were exempt The |
Governor has set a good example, and pre-
Jared the way for tb0 fraternal consolida-
ion of the Republican party Of the city |
nd State, by combining it's old and new
representatives. in the late appointments.
We will add that these appointm snts
i've general satisfaction, and if the gen.
lemen appointed do as well in the selec-
ion of their subordinate officers, our city
will have good reason to rejoice. Their
olemn duty in this respect must be to re-
member that the Governor has done bis
art, and the further responsibility as to
fficial personnelle rests with them.