The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-02-03
THE FUTURE OF LABOR.
The following table shows the number
of miles OF railroad completed each year
since 1864:


The falling off during the past two
years has been from 7,S4O miles in 1872 to
l,023 miles in 1S74-a decrease of 5,4l7
miles. At an average Of $40, 900 per mile,
this decrease of rail mileage represents
a decrease of $2l6, $50, 900 in the cxpendi-
ture of capital, the larger part of it for
the employment Of labor. The men who
would have received at least $3.50, 900, 900
OF this capital would have furnished pa
tronage for other persons engaged in fur
nishing the supplies of life which they
could have purchased.
At least 100000 able-bodicd men have
been either turned out of employment
by the decline in railway construction,
or they have competed with laborers in
other employments and diminished both
wages and the amount of labor per man
during the year. During the five years
from 1860 to 1873, both inclusive, rail
roading was greatly overdone-overdon
because roads were constructed where
the business would not afford remuncra-
ton for capital. The deficiency on this
score has been largely made up to the
capitalists by land speculations conse-
qucnt on the construction OF the roads;
but speculation is not a permanent re-
source for labor. II only serves to de-
range the relations of labor, TO be fol-
lowed by labor crisis like that through
u r. &c ha
day for speculative railways is about
terminated. Could more subsidies be
obtained, there would be an additional
waste Of capital Tor few years, when
another crisis would occur for which not
even Government subsidies could afior d
reliet.
1t is evident that a healthy condition
or labor is that in which all are engaged
in such Industries as are of permanent
utility, and whose products must be for
ever in demand. AS to public works,
such as shall be rendered necessary by
the progress Of permanent industries,
will supply demand, and their con-
struction. would in no way tend to de-
range the labor market. There is no
doubt that railway construction for the
future ten years cannot exceed 1000
miles per year. In the meantime the num-
Der OF laborcrs is increasing. There will
be an average OF at least 800, 900 laborers,
provided for by railway excess,
to be supplied with work. Where will
they find it? 1t seems certain that they
will not find work. unless commodities
be cheapened SO as to increase The
amount of consumption. TO cheaper
prices of labor and Of raw
must fall.
This may not appear agreeable to the
working classes, but it will be found that
their ewn condition is improved by it.
Lower prices for commodities will not
only increase consumption at home, but
they Will add largely to our exports, and
our foreign trade will be healthy. Plenty
of work will thus. be provided for all;
and certainly, full work at reduced wages
is better than half work at higher wages.
rise equally with the rise of commodities
under imitation, and on the other hand
wages never fall quite to the level Of
the fall of commodities.
The only permanent lelief for depress-
ed labor is in such reforms as will make
more work to be done and secure to the
producing classes a larger share Of our
national income. All the money made
by speculation is taken from the working
classes. Stop land speculation by re-
forming our land laws and the rise in
value will be saved to labor. This is a
very large item in a growing country.
Stop money and manufacturing monopo-
lies and save the capital diverted to spec
ulation, and interest will be reduced
thus saving another large instalment to
labor.
r The saving of these speculations to
labor, and allowing none but actual set
tiers to buy land either at the West or in
the East, Will cheaper real estate,
thus bringing it within the reach OF
greater number for homesteads. All
this will wonderfully increase the build
ing of domicles which will furnish more
labor for mechanics; and the domiciles
will require furniture which will give
increased employment to manufacturing
operations.
In this way only can the condition of
the working classes be improved, and
every man of sense knows it is so. The
selfish who hope to get trich and foolish
do not desire the change in our system,
and will oppose what they know to be
right.
A Remarkable Dog Story.
This story is told us BY ii gentleman
who says its truth is vouched for by wit
nesses of undoubted veracity, says the
Franklin (Ky.) Patriot. Some years
ago, while MIR. Hamilton was fishing
near tine lower rapids Of the Mississippi,