New-York tribune., 1874-12-22
THE UNEMPLOYED wORKlNGMAN's STRAIT.

THE UNEMPLOYED WORKlNGMANS STRAIT
MISTAKEN BELIEFS OF THERE BEING LACK OF
wORKINGMEN IN FARMING REGIONS-NO DEMAND
FOR LaBORERs AT ANY PRICE-TIIE PENALTY
FOR ExTRAvAGANCE NOW BEING PAID.
TO the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: If the Rev. DR.. Hall and Others who
have addressed you concerning the better employment
Of those who out or work had recommended any
| truly practical means to secure tho end In view,
should very heartily say, "Amen!' Beyond dOnbt
! they have al earnest desire :" solve the problem
W. :Scre stand so many idle all the day longf'
But the question is too to DO dismissed and the
answer i mol fond in tho simple statement that they
should 70 ont tho country places where there Is
demand for abOrers, even men, women ana Doys'
at wages that at least moderately fdir. now as
friend OF the workngman or woman, and living IN the
country, also employer Of the same cannot counsel
to into the rural districts at the pres
no with any reasonable prospect OF their finding
work there II it Is thought the agricultural sections
not affected by the dull times now existing, 1t Is
sad misake II any suppOses that labor In those
sections will be largely employed IL offered at
lcsscncd rates. then such a without expe-
ricnce.
Labor is in demand about alike all over the whole
country In city or town or rural ueigbOrhoOd and pre-
csely the affect 10 each and every part OF
land that Ia, general stagnation OF enterprise
and lack Of activity of money. Suppose "a" or
"B }" comes to mo and says "Can you RlVe
mo workr My answer is ready - for 1t ID
repeated oft ~ have full supply. and
cannot employ any more without real disadvantage or
loss" The country quite fully supplied with labor Of
such kind best adapted to its real wants, and how
might wish 1t were otherwise the TACT alone serves
us for present discussion Two threo years ago the
districts in want OF light prOportionato in-
labOrers, both indoor and outdoor skilled and
unsked but for the past there has been surplus
Of labor offered or available Of all kinds wanted Almost
daily tell they have looked for work diligently
for weeks and have traycrsed large districts OF the
bar to employment, for am offered labor at the most
nominal ratcs-any price VIII give; II men couu @ get
work So per day. and were idle for the reason that
they wanted more then the blame might justly perhaps
laid upon their shoulders but suppose the case 10 be-
81 per day, then how stands the case can engage all
all the farm labOrers, teamsters, DIRT sh9yeers ana
per day. and Is any In wanting them at
less rate Many improving what they consider
material are so low in price, yet think 1t is not wise
to do tbs for there Is no legitimate demand LOT any
more dwellings, or business places Mt present, ana eacn
one added renders uncertain the occupation
OF those already constructed.
Had Dr. Hall advised thc unemployed to go to work
producing something they could feed and cothe and
nrsrly solved; but the question might still BE- raised
" How men without means do TINS thing whicn re-
be- Tns HS ys clear
the only way out OF our present dcnty Is TO get tae
-self-supplying. How best to do this Is solely mat.
ter of political economy and the laws OF supply and
demand Of financial policies and public prudence or
impruieuce will govern the condition Of any people.
We have been seemingly prosperous and have let habits
reckoning and is hard to pay the lawful PEN
atty The working man IS called on nrs anu II us case
merchant, the manuac urer the banker aud the capt.
tallsf, are sure 10 come TO grief ,.,,,..
While the be pointed out by which the WORK
ingman ont Of emplOymen may De again engaged
At ara ns re The II eSeS necessry y to do that
to be clear TO those not versed ~ political econ