Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-07-28
IAROR.ORIGIN OF STRIKERS.

w
cry day, on public work, reductions OF
force and of the wages OF the few who
remain, we are led involuntarily TO ex-
claim, syNhat are to become of the poor
and laboring classes?" We presume 1t
is something which can not be even
surmised by our most learned men.
1t is indeed becoming a serious ques-
,ion-one which should occupy the at
| tention of every body, and especially
the capitalists of our land. 1t is true
all are sufferers TO a certain extent from
tie depressed state Of affairs, but none
so much as the thousands who labor
for their daily bread-or who would
labor, could they get it to 90. But 1t
can not be found. Our heart goes out
in sympathy for such, when we contem-
plate their wretched condition, with the
approaching winter staring them in the
face. What is to become oflhcm, God
only knows,
We are not wiseacrc enough to sug-
gest what shall be done to remedy this
pressing want in our land, but to
great extent the capitalists are response
BILE for such condition of affairs. Most
of them lave their money invested in
bonds, beyond the reach of the poor
man, and the few who invest in enter
prise have such vast number OF appll-
cants to do their work, that they take adj
vantage OF the laborer and mechanic
and reduce wages to figure SO low that
man with family can barely live
upon it; and if complaint is made the
laborer is told his place can be filled,
and that he can go. How long Will
such state of things exist?
An exchange truthfully remarks, the
channels of trade are blockaded, com
merce is dead, merchant, mechanic,
producer, manufacturer-in fact, every
profession and calling, unite in the COM
mon complaint Of hard times, and this
in q country Astounding in everything
that should make its people prosperous
and happy, The depression is not con
fined to any particular section or local.
ty. North, East, South, and West,
the same cry comes up from producer,
trader and consumer, for relief There
is but one class of men who do not sut
fer-those who are fortunate enough to
be the holders Of United States ScUen
per cent gold, Understanding, non
taxable bonds. Half the capital of the
country pays no tax. We do not blame
men for investing in these good-paying
and well-secured stocks. But the tinan
cial policy that created and keeps them
afloat, is death to the best interests OF
our country. If the millions thus In
vested were used in developing and
utilizing the mineral, lumber and agri-
cultural resources of this broad land, we
would see thousands of the unemployed
earning their bread, and the wheels of
progress set in motion. To this Ma
tioual mistaken policy, and the prerna-
ture contraction Legislation to hasten
specie resumption in 1879, we attribute
in a great measure the depression in all
branches of trade and industry. 1t is
in the power of Congress to apply
remedy 1t may not prove immediate
in its effects, bat we believe an absolute
'let up in the contraction policy is the
demand of the hour, and that Congress
on assembling will be forced to repeal
the specie-resumption act. No man
with a spark of humanity in his soul,
can help sympathizing with the thous-
ands who want bread and are willing to
work for it at fair rcmunerative rates,
and it behooves us as a people and re-
public, to earnestly address ourselves to
the task of regulating the National
machinery on a sound, healthy and just
financial basis.