New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-08

the desire to borrow In other words, must we
| not. "a community, earn more and spend less
| II seems to us that we must. If all are needy
and none have aught to spare, the rate of
interest must be high, as is shown in poor
| agricultural region. where every one wants to
| borrow seed at the sowing season and pay for
il after harvest. But our Labor economists
seem TO think that tho State may lower the
rate of interest by simply fabricating more
money. We doubt it,. because money seems
TO us only go-betwccn, and not the real
object of general desire, which liz food, shelter,
clothing, seed, implements, &c, pcrsoniGed or
rcnrescnted by currency.
H. We think the "LabOr" economists con
found "a gold basis" with circulating me-
dunn composed wholly Of coin. This latter
we dcprccatc, exactly "a we would a law re-
curing every trader either to shut up shop or
provide himself with yard-stick, stecl-yards,
bushe, gallon, quart and pint measures, Of
gold or silver. But gold basis fmore nearly
resembles q law requiring a set of standard
weights and measures to be made and pre-
served by the State, and all the weights and
measures in actual use to be tested by and
cOnformed to these; and to this We see no
objection.
H. We do MT object to the National Paper
Currency proposed, but would want to be made
very sure that those charged with the duty OF
issuing and rcdeeming or replacing it would
have no chance to slip part of the product
into their individual pockets.
". We do not see why the National Banks
should be arbitrarily wound up; but their
privilege of issuing notes which the Govern
ment treats as money is one which we hold
liable to be resumed by the People whenever
they can be more cheaply or satisfactorily
served by any other agency. Yet we must say
that these Banks have served the People well
in giving them uniform currency whereby
they have lost little by counteneits and moth
ing by bankruptcies; and we would not choose
to dispense with the present Currency until
well assured that the substitute would be IN
improvement.
V. We do not object to making eight hours
the limit of a legal days work, provided you
do not abridge the liberty of those who choose
to work ten or even twelve hours. We do OBJ
ject TO any incubation or implication that
eight hours work ought to command the rec
ompense of ten or twelve hours labor of like
miners underground) work every day and at
all seasons, regardless of temperature tempest,
ought to work iewerhours per day than those who
dixie farmers, railroad graders, or house-build-
ers) are stopped by falling rain or'by severe
frost. The man who averages but five days
work per week, and for but nine or ten months
per annum, ought TO work more hours per day
than though he worked right on through all
seasons and through each secular day.
VI We cannot roalipo that Labor ought TO
organize Composition to Chinese labor or any
other On the contrary, we think it should
encourage and stimulate labor Of all kinds,
on the homely principle that " Many hands
make light work." If our Labor UniOnists
want TO do less work-and this seems chief
end of their eiTorts-they ought to permit and
even ncite others to do more. The dog in
the manger was not good political economist
VII. We are utterly opposed to perpetuating
National Debts, and insist on promptly pay
ing them. But a great and perlous crisis
dixie that through which France has just
passed, for example) involves great efforts
and great sacrifices, and these often involve
great debts. Let them be paid off so soon as
may be; but collecting thousand millions at
once from the people of PROSTATE country
is not so easy. The French Republic is Dor
rowing the large sums the fortunes of war
have compelled her to pay to Germany; and
she could not easily do better.
AS to making the wedIH of a country pay
the entire cost of a war, it would not always
be just. Suppose the poverty of that country
insisted on making war in defiance of the
wealth "a by no means indispensable case)
why should wealth foot the entire bill ? Let
Labor never forget to be honest and just.