Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-04-05

after tnlrty-HVe Poi 49, =
the country have been slaughtered, and
after four years of continued depression
and continual loss in the business Of
sheep-raising, might be left operative at
least for one year. On this point he said;
A vast majority of the wooden manu-
facturers of the country made peace
with the wool-growing interests. They
have made the benefit of a glut in the
wool markets of the world, and the ma
ior part of them do not unfairly seek to
escape from the pinch which the present
scarcity has brought about by throwing
the burden of this upon the wool.grow-
ers. The high cost of cotton and the
comparatively low price of wool Cor the
past ten years, has created a larger per-
manent demand for wool, as cotton has
been extensively discarded for wooden
clothing, and if the business of sheep
husbandry in this country should be
crippled or destroyed, the prices Of
healthy clothing woods would in the end
be made dearer the world over. 1t is
against the interests of all branches of
agriculture, and against the interests of
the wooden manufacturer, to diminish
the supply of domestic woods. To be
sure, the reduction is very slight, aud
the farmers are not here to protest
against it, but senators will find them at
home protesting loudly.
In speaking OF the relations of the
tariff to American labor, Mr.. Morrill,
gave some interesting statistics, showing
how vastly better is the condition of the
laboripg classes, so-called in this country
than in the Old World. He said:
The people demand such a revision of
the tariff as will put less money into the
treasury. They do not want to trust it
or us with a dollar which can be spent
unnecessarily.
But in removing taxation we do not
intend to remove it in such a manner as
to deprive the American people of en-
ploy ment. We intend to tax foreign
luxuries, and make those who use them
pay the tax. We intend to give the
work of America to American workmen
The only tangible benefit we can confer
upon labor in this country is by tariff
that discriminates in favor of American
industry. Our country is now, as it
should be hereafter, among all nations
the paradise of the working man. Not
only does he here receive much greater
wages, but taking into account the char
acter and quality of his food, clothing
and lodgings, these, as a whole, are
cheaper here than anywhere else. He
can here support his family, and have
more left for their education, travel and
taste than falls to the lot of any French,
German, Italian or English workman
So far as what is called "reyenue re-
form" conceals free trade under its
cloak, it conceals dagger aimed at the
American laborer. The indental pro-
lection given by our tariff and the main
purpose has been always to obtain reve-
nue-has elevated labor throughout half
of the civilized world. EMPLOYERS
abroad have had the severest competi-
ton with us, not against our products
alone, but against the prices we have
paid and continue to pay for labor
They have had to raise the wages, not
only Of common laborers, but Of skilled
workmen, because otherwise they found
them ready to emigrate where labor and
skill were more highly appreciated and
better rewarded. The world over, the
American standard has lifted the wages
of labor, and inspired faith and hope
among those who live by the sweat of
the brow.
Mr., Morrill, proceeded to quote as fol-
lows from recent report, presented to
the British Parliament, of the diplomat
ic and consular agents abroad, respect
ing the condition of the industrial class
es. and the purchase power of money in
foreign countries"
Prussia, or the North German Confed-
Grafton:
TO sum up the general average of
wages, the daily earnings of man in
permanent employment, at ordinary la
Dor, are 94d. Go cents day in the ru-
raj districts, and Is. GA cents) day in
towns; and for skilled labor from 15d.
go cents) to 2s. Sd, GA cents)."
The hours of labor Gin cloth facto
ry) are stated thus: " Firemen and en-
giners, II hours; spinners and dyers, IA
hours all other hands II hours.
One mandatory is mentioned ''where
the machinery is kept going night and
day. The women worked in relays for
sixteen hours consecutively."
Cherbourg, France:
"The laborer in the country, or farm
laborer, is hired for the year, and is fed
and lodged bv his employer receiving at
the end of the term the hundred francs
$500 for his services"
In the United States any man can
earn that in two or three months.