Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-03-08

the manufacturing TRADES. we dlu so with
hesitation, because we had seen no such
suggestion, or intimation. from any of the
great organs Of trade. But now we find
an article, in recent issue Of the Springfield
Republican, in which the fact is recognized
and the same remedy named that we named
transferring portion of the idle capital
and labor TO agriculture.
But at recent meeting OF our Board Of
Agriculture we found there was quite a
party present who were strong in the belief
that over-production had already extended
to agriculture itself and this belief was
used as the ground of an argument against
feeding grain TO dairy cows, and thus in
creasing the product of butter. 1t was rea-
soned that all we could so gain in produc-
ton would be lost by the shrinkage in prices.
Though we do not agree with this party
as regards the present condition Of the dairy
interest. but believe there is yet money
to be made by the high feeding OF dairy
stock, when combined with careful manufac-
ture, yet we are ready TO admit-in fact
were early to see-that the tendency in all
branches Of industry is towards a surplus in
products beyond the ability of consumers TO
prohtably use.
This oyer-production is the direct result
Of the wonderful improvements in manufac-
turing machinery which have taken place
during the current century. In many branches
Of work these machines have added to the
productive power Of the workman so that
one pair of hands are equal to ten, twenty
fifty, or ahundred pairs of hands, before they
were brought into use.
Now the world was able to live, and even
to accumulate a surplus Of the products of
labor, before these machines were known.
Notwithstanding the waste and destruction
Of wealth caused by the vices and crimes Of
the race, including war, the capital of nearly
every nation was increasing century by
century. They were bringing more land
under culture, they were building better
houses and larger towns and cities, increas-
ing the number of their domestic animals
of their ships and land vehicles and adding
TO their store of manufactured metals and
coin. They were better clad and better fed
and the average Of longevity was increasing
This was especially true of Europe, and in
all these respects the great nations of Asia
If not advancing so fast had reason for il
in the fact that they had long before reached
nearly to the boundaries of possibility il
this direction.
There can be no doubt that mankind, un
aided save by the simple devices of anti
putty, would have been capable, had 1t mo-
been for the devastations Of successive ant
almost continuous wars, of growing rich, it
the process of centuries, even beyond tn,
dreams of avarice." What, then, must be Tn,
result of inventions quadrupling mans pro
ductive ability, while at the same time ia,
humanizing effects of religion and commerce
tend If slowly, to diminish the frequency
and destructive effects of those plunderinl
raids which we call war 1t is plain to ever,
mind that the increase of productive powe
consequent upon the introduction of thes
"ech"iish's must III 'in'e ehu III Siu'
wealth. In all those kinds OF wealth tina
are rapidly perishable, such as those the raw
material of which is organic, and whicl
constitute the bulk of our food and cloth
ing, such glut II excessive, results II
heavy loss In these branches oil production
accumulation beyond moderate limits is in
possible, ana consequently IL Is IN these Una
over-product'on hrst makes Itself manifest
But take the other outlets oil labor wher
the results are less perishapie' ana gut
no less certain 'hough longer delayed. ="
may go on making permanent roadway
houses Oh uhperiShaoie maternal reuucih
'ie ia'iu !" i.s oes' oonu'''oh io' culture
may ac'uniuia'o S'o'eS Vi useiu' ana pre'iou
ine'a's' un'' VIC is"on '"e MINUS Vi PosSio'
uss' anu '"eH We nave 'n'y 10 "iaii'a'
'nese' anu p'o'ius ioou anu oio''i,ns up 70 I'll
point Vi consumption peyohu 'ha' 'her
WIN oo no moro o"''e' io' iauoi' VI 'hs III
pay Oh human energy save IN destruction
Tue easy-gohg reauer VIII prooaoiy "a
'i"' 'here Is ho ieason " "o''y over tues
'hings al present. since so large portion
."e ear'h yet remains 10 oe 'e'''eu anu CIV
zed, ana so ihuch 10 DE Done even Whefe
much mas Already peen accomplished
DOUBT the ultimate results OIL o'er-proa"cto
WIN not appear IN 'h's genef'ioh' n'
when we see no" quickly 'he great amer
can con'inent mas oeeh o'er-Spreaa' III
"na' great results nave peen wrought III
century we must aunt .ha' tue 'ilhe IS h'
vary lar Instant "nen all 'ha' Is haoitao
Vi uie reiha'nuer Vi Tue continent Vi Airlc
ana australia having peeh Suspected an
Peopied py ciSliilatioh' inns great proolei
with all It's results must be laced
Meanwhile some oil the consequences
oVer-production are already pressing upo
US IN ha''oh IKE ours that does not SUI
port great army ana Is supposed 10 nav
no privileged Glasses oil idiers, wealth reali
does accumulate with surprising rapidly
III MASSACHUSETTS, ever since Tue war II ma
doubled ana that state is already iaein
the pro'iei we are considering, rrooaoi!
Oy 'he restoration Oh specie curienc.
ana REDUCTION Oh 'he wages Oh iapor
market ior surplus products may Tor
time oe iouhd ABROAD but this only pos