The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-06-29
Ia he Paying Ourrent waco.

Besides the grievances at Rock Island
Arsenal, Of the task-master system; the
favoritism shown to some by task masters,
the uncomfortable arrangement in regard
to sun, air, crowded position, etc. for those
who labor the want of ice; the filthy wa
ter; the dismissal of whole classes of men
without any previous notice, and for no
fault except that they think the reduction
of wages is unjust and oppressive,it might
be well for those who think the men are
not harshly treated (if there are any such)
to make little inquiry as to the current
wages of labor in Rock Island. Moline and
Davenport. They will find that masons
are receiving,in these three towns, from 81
to s. day, according to skill and amount of
work they ordinarily perform. Col. Flag
Ter offers masons So to 1926. And he
pays unskilled laborers from $3.50 to So,
thus reducing the wages of skilled labor
to nearly the rate of unski!led labor. Men
are getting, now, in this city, 81 day for
carrying brick or wheeling mortar,-for-
eigners who can scarcely be made to I'M
derstand word of our language This is
not the current rate,-that averages from
$3.50 up to Sand Flagler pays about
the same. But he has reduced skilled la
Dor almost to the standard of bod carriers,
Stone cutters get, in these towns, from
"a to $5,a day on private work. Col Flag
Ter has reduced their wages to $3.50 and
SO. People may say, IF Flagler refuses
to pay these men the rates current in
these towns why don't they go to work in
the towns, on private jobs" For the
very good reason that there is not one
fourth part work enough in the towns in
addition to that now provided with labor
to keep them in employment ''Then
why don't they go somewhere else p is
the next statement, Simply because two
thirds of them own the places where they
live or have bought lots for the purpose OF
building homes for themselves. They are
good citizens, skilled in their trades, and
do not care to be strolIing about the
country with their families, in search Of
work. The United States need these men
here. The United States, by official let
tors now in existence, induced these men
to come here on a promise of permanent
employment and good, liberal wages. All
they ask is humane and considerable treat
ment (such as every citizen should receive)
and current rates Of wages Is there any
thing unreasonable in this? They are res
pectable citizens; they have the same rights
and interests at stake as any of US. 1t is
not TO the interest of this country to create
or foster wide difference between classes,
employers and employees We profess to
be Democratic people living under Dem
ocratic institutions. The only aristocracy
tolerable here is the aristocracy Of intelli-
gence, Of good manners, of good citizen
ship and Of uprightness of character. Nc
other aristocracy should be tolerated here
In these consist the only difference between
men. Wealth and fine apparel vanish il
day. Those high in office to-day are LA
bic to be among the humblest tomorrow
Considerable and humane treatment anC
remunerative or current wages is all these
men ask, and these they must have. L
the agents of the people now in Office vii
not see to it that they have these, then th,
people will secure other and more human,
agents, just as soon as they can reach tn,
ballot box.