New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-12-28
Labor I'm IrOm-ManufactO and
WOrkingmem.

exists between the workingmen of the nation
and our manufacturing interests, and to show
them that the laborers in the United States
have deeper and more vital interest in the
question Of protection to American industry
than any other class Of citizens. We have
used for enforcing this idea the manufacture
of iron, because that is an interest which
is more nearly connected with labor than al
most any other, being only another name for
labor. We mean that the cost of ton Of iron
consists almost exclusively of the value of the
labor it absorbs, which is fully eighty per cent
For instance, il a ton of pig-iron costs $50 to
make it, $24 of it was paid for the labor it
required, beginning with the ore in the
mine. But we find this matter treated at
length and much more clearly than we can do
by w. 4. S. BAKER, Eco, of Philadelphia, and
we propose to make use of his statements In
regard TO iron manufactures, and the vital i'm
poriance of protection to American working
men.
Mr.. BAKER states, what our readers will
readily understand, that ton of raw mate
rials-ore, coal, or limestone-will cost in the
ground but a trihe more today than it did
twenty five years ago, while the total cost oil
pig iron has more than doubled in that period,
shouting that nearly The a0hole Of the increased
cost as for labor-labor in mining, in transpor-
tation and in working the materials into the
saleable product. So that while in Pennsyl
vania pig-iron is costing about $40 ton. in
Great Britain Che cost is less than half cfthat,
or $l4, and even then yields profit to the
manufacturer. The reason of this ia, because
of the difference in the cost of labor. And
counted for by the increased cost of living
arising from taxation or deprecated cur
rency.
| Hence question here arises Of vital impor
lance to every manufacturer and workman in
the United States, viz: Is at possible for tao
countries so intimately related in business al
are Great Britain and the United States, to
continue for long period to produce the same
article at SO great a difference IN cost We
think not, and believe that there must and will
be an approximation of cost in the two coun
tries, either by a reduction in wages paid
American skilled labor, or an advance in for
eign labor, a,iless home labor shall hare in
creased protection from the Government.
An advance in labor abroad will be but to
lessen the profits of the wealthy iron masters.
To reduce labor in this country, where it il
conceded that the iron manufacturers are max
ing little or no profit, will be to decrease the
comforts and privileges of the workmeH. The
alternative will be for home capital to abandon
the iron manufacture for some more stable and
profitable branch of industry, to the deprecia
ton, if not ruin, of the agricultural and other
surrounding interests depending upon iron.
Twenty-Five years ago our cost price was
about what the English cost is to-day But
the physical, moral, social, and mental con-
dition of the American workmen has much
improved since then. HI is a free citizen of a
great Republic, with duties and responsibilities
unknown abroad. His wants have multiplied,
and his increased pay has enabled him hitherto
comfortably to meet all demands. Our sympa-
thies are with him, and We desire him to re-
ceive his full share OF the advantages of the
business, but it can hardly be contradicted
that his present prosperity is at the expense Of
capital, the manufactured article having de-.
oiinod i'm price mnch more in proportion st.ea
the price of skilled labor.
The contrast between the condition of our
mechanics and workmen twenty five years ago
and at the present day will show so marked an
improvement as greatly to encourage the
! friends Of progress. Then the workingman
iived in one STORED shanty today the
Building Association gives the temperate,
steady man, at small cost, comfortable and
convenient home. His dress was of the coarsest
material, and his food limited to the plainest
dishes; but liberal wages enable him to clothe
his family respectfully and to supply his table
not only with necessaries, but Injuries. His
mind was contracted, and he was very igno.
rant; but free schools have educated him, and
made some of his children professors of learn
ing, while others occupy the most honorable
positions in the land. He could seldom read,
much less afford to buy, a daily newspaper;
to day his own sons edit and publish those
papers, spreading before him the worlds re.
cord of the past cay before his work begins.
He had neither surplus means nor suitable
clothing with which to travel ; now he can
afford to take his seat in the rail car, the peer
OF the greatest.
few months sickness or lack of employ.
men. reduced him to beggary ; in this age bis
saving fund deposit or lodge relieves him
while physician of his own selection attends
his family, and he is surrounded with comforts,
privileges, and blessings unknown to his
father. His moral nature, also, has under
gone remarkable improvement. The Sunday
school has elevated him, given him clearer
ideas of responsibility, opened new fields of
thought, and taught him to abandon many
vices and to cultivate the nobler faculties of
the soul. Where once was the card table and
the brewing-tub, can now be found the melo.
deon and the sewing machine. Temperance,
debating and charitable societies, literature,
art, music, and a free press have all helped in
his promotion, and his means enabled him in
a manly, independent way, to participate in
and erjoy his improved condition. His son to-
day is generally well educated, sometimes a
classical scholar-his dau ghter is often q young
lady Of growing taste and refinement.
Tens of Thousands of American workmea
have advanced themselves to the position of
as all in this country have chance
to do and energy, sobriety and integrity will
promote others. In my judgment, however, l
fear that Labor Unions" are great obstacles
.oA- L Al IL