Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-11-13
The Panic AMI the LabOrinx
Cl2SkcS.

have exhibited such crowded columns
Of reports from all parts Of the country,
Indicating the temporarily depressed
condition Of the manufacturing and
industrial interests, that it is hardly
necessary here to particularize indiv.d-
ual cases as evidence of: the prevailing
d.spoudent feeling. By far the u,ajer-
ity of establishments are retrench.ny
some by reduction Of working force,
others by cutting down hours, and
more by removing a percentage from
the salaries Of employees. While tho
outlook is far u,ore cheerful, there is a
bel ct that the worst is not over. The
railroads aud many OF the iron foun.
dcries still take a gloomy view Of at
fairs, and we notice that reductions OF
expense are yet being largely made.
With all the facts in view, however,
We are still inclined to adhere to our
belief in the passing nature Of the
trouble. We find much to applaud in
the course adopted by many establish.
ments, which, trusting to the early
revival of better times, are working
straight on, with no greater alteration
in their business routine than such as
they are imperative]y driven to make.
So far as the producers Of the nccessa
ries Of existence are concerned, we
think little apprehension need be felt
as to their rising superior to tho disas.
ter; but with reference to those who
gain their living from the manufacture
or sale of articles pertaining to the
luxuries Of life, there is probability
Of less favorable results.
TO the workmen, however, the pros
pect is indeed dark. No pay on Satur
day night means. to hundreds, no din
ner on Sunday-no rent for the GINNING
wcck-no fuel to keep off the bitter
cold Of winter. In ordinary times,
th-se men mi 5ht seek other employ
ment, or turn TO some labor, the return
for which wo"ld keep body and soul
together; but now when thirty thou
sand operatives in this city alone have
been thrust from employment, the
chances Of gaining comfortable sup
port for family are far from promis
ing. Let employers put themselves IN
the places Of their hands, and Imagine
their own feelings in so dire strait,
and then think ofthe hardsbips which,
perhaps through u mere sentiment Of
over cautiousness, they entail, not only
upon their workmen- but upon their
families and the host OF other people
dependent upon their small custom
for a means Of existence. 1t is for
this reason, above all others that we
advocate the keeping open of every
industrial establishment while its bare
expenses can be met, no matter if not
a cent Of profit be made, Or even it
some loss accrue Better far that the
rich should sacrifice portion Of their
wealth than that the poor should b.
left destitute or driven to pauperism.
Another lesson, and fruitful one,
is to be cleaned from the pending
crises, which the workmen would d.
we'll to take to heart. 1t is the utter
futility and shallowness Of strikes, and
notably that Of year ago, when re-
cardcd in connection with the present
aspect Of affairs. 1t is strange that
hardly twelve months should elaps.,
before tho very condition to which a |
number Of wrong headed men s,rove
to reduce the employers, through CO.
ertion and an uni exercise Of power
over the ignorant, should be brought
home to their own doors. The defeat
# the great movement Of 1872 Was
complete enough, but it has been re
served f the panic Of 1875 to give it
double effect and to render its teach.
Jugs indelib|y impressed.
As to the means Of alleviating the
condition Of those who, it now appears,
are to be so sadly reduced during the
coming winter, some organized plan
will undoubtedly become necessary.
A contemporary suggests the division
Of large cities into districts, and the
appointment of suitable committees to
visit the houses in each, in order to So
licit contributions to general fund.
Our opinion is that now is the time for
the trades unions to assert themselves,
and to prove that they are unworthy of
the odium under which they now labor.
Several OF these organizations, during
the great strike: boosted freely Of their
reserve capital and Of the assistance
to b. gained from kindred societies in
Europe. Now let the international
and the British associations, which send
such earnest emissaries here, come for
ward and render that aid which they
have so freely promised. If the trade
associations will join forces, and labor,
not mere] y in the interest of their own
members but Of all working men, they
will do more towards elevAting the con-
dition ofthc laboriny classes, than they
could accomplish by any number "t
successful strikcs.-Scieu'iGc Amer
icun
SLEEPING ToGEruEn.-A gentleman
who lives i" D""iury, recently read an
article setting forth the evil If two
persons sleeping together. He became
so impressed with the truth of the ar