Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-11-06
AsS.Ss & lsZKSSSSsaazA
d combine in strikes for the pl

to combine In strikes LOT the Pufpe
compelling wages which cannot be paid
Such an attempt destroys the bond Oh
rood feeling that should exist between the
laborer and his employer, defeats the last
argument which appeals to the latter tc
consider the restitution that must come
upon the former, and brings about OF
course total cessation of work. We
imagine that strikers will find this is not i
good time to strike. The odds are severe
~ against them. They cannot urge thu
plea of oppression with very good grace
and claim even-handed justice. while Oh
the very face of things it is evident tina
their employers are running risk in pay
ing and employing to the extent they do
We insist that all who can find employ
ment for hands seeking it through the win
ter should do so. There should be some
effort made in this direction. Whenever
work can possibly be made to pay it ought
to be done. But laborers must be reason
able and considerate. They must regard
the times. They must not expect to COM
pei men to pay them high wages when
even low wages and short time run the
employer in debt. The end of that is no
work. not even the half loaf of bread.
To compensate for reduction of wages
there win inevitably be reduction in cost
OF the necessary articles of living The
fall has already commenced and viii con
THINE Trade Is dull bat goods must be
sold TO pay notes and balls in Boston and
New York Few buy articles of luxur,
now. and the living expenses are curtailet
very decidedly. This win LAST until price:
adiuss themselves TO the condition Of
things in the general business of the
country. When merchants find that the
currency which is laid By in the savings
banks or In old stockings will not come
out at the prices which are demanded for
goods. they will mark down the articles
they have for sale to correspond with wa
ges and other things. and let them 60 to
customers. They will probably hold up
resolutely as long as they can. but money
without any profit will be better than
no money at all. Trade is just the reverse
Of what it was after the suspension OF
specie payment in war time. We are now
coming TO resumption of specie and the
conditions of trade are changed. Then
prices went up as the currency became in
fated. The traders stock rose upon his
hands. But when anyone expressed to
him the opinion that he must be getting
rich, the answer was that though the
price Of his corn or dry goods or whatever
his merchandise might be had gone up
and would apparently leave him hand
some profit when he sold. yet when he at
tempted to replace his stock after selling
he would find that it could not be done
tor the money which he had received.
Now the reverse is coming true the moH-
ey for stock sold will purchase a
larger stock to replace it hence merchants
WIN be more ready to sell their goods than
to keep them, and SO prices will fall.
Thus the laboring man will be able to live
upon less wages, getting more for his
money-of the grocer. butcher. and dry
goods dealer. and thus the equilibrium
will be maintained between prices Of labor
and prices of goods. Things are working
for the best after all This experience
which we are having was necessary to
our welfare as people. 1t has done
some apparent evil, but its benefits
will be Sc en- after the commotion shall
have subsidized.