The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-08-11
An oLD MECH.fNrCs THOUGHTs.
New York CITY In $40 and In ISM Where
L. the Fault THE Tramp Probicm.

=
To THE EDITOR or THE SuN-Sr. first
saw New York city in the year is3d-nearly
forty one years ago. At that time found every
mechanic busy and prosperous well Paid for his
labor. and kept at work the year round There
were no .,lars in the streets in those days. In
the mornings. if you CHANGED to walk up or
down Broadway, you would meet rosy iaced
merchants. with an expression Of honesty and
bcncvolcncc on their countcuanccs. rs much as
to say | am willing to live and to let live" It
is true. a commercial panic began in January.
1887. | WIS almost a stranger; but felt nonc
of its consequences. Being Il mechanic. had
all the work that could do. Every other me-
chanic that WAS acquainted with had the same.
with no cut down OF wages. In my brunch
Of business. men IN those days received
in some cases moro than double the wages
they receive at the present time.
Before the war Of the Rebellion every person
had work that was willing to do it, Mt living
prices. During the war work came in spurts.
Men and women in those times had to work
hard to earn any money ON Government work,
but in The middle Of the war rents. provisions,
dry goods. clothing. and all other articles got
up To such prices that the working people had
To- call for extra pay 10 meet their expenses.
But probably they would never have got it. only
that 80 many people were employed by the Cow
eminent that manufacturers had to como up
with their prices. Three and half years after
the war ceased wheat took u tumble. but rents.
meat. butter. groceries. dry goods. g.. kept up
until within the last year. Although the wages
oi labor in many branches are much below
what they were before the war. many kinds "
provisions still keep at high figures. The work
INK classes have borne privations for many
years. but tho year 1876 WIS the most mclan-
choly year for the poor that have ever wit
messed. and the present wear uppcurs To be no
boft.r
Previous ~ the Presidential election people
HV.l ~ non, tlut ,itnr Inn .v,nt ,c,. eb,,,iI
hay" lcn.r. and thnt cnpital sis would ~ nhrni
and try tl do bust ~. But ulu-i CAPITALISTS.
monouoh.t~. and those in authority decided
hr.orH tn. election who should p-.uuv the Pros
hlrntial chlfr-hv fair nouns If nns.ihln. If
not then hv perjury and frnud. fhrlicvr that
the [ uiiod Si.f.s are loti d., INTO a bad cnu,Ii-
tou. when m,n are permitted To- gamble in
railroad ~to.k- tn nut thrn M or mi fhnul
down. thereby unSatting the stoek hold.r-'
prOpcrty Mrn having charge Ol savings bunkS
run away with thu. drlusliDr.' money In,ur-
auro companies MAXI away with tho pDli.io.
orfnonev nf hriueiIrnd Then Innk nt tha yam
n'rs ,,tI,ini,d l., tn'' sun ,,uth"rti, tn "
nltr those banks ana then "a f. r,..iy.r4 ,vln
pocket what Is ru. The nation at the present
in,r IL In a volcanic condition So thinks Mr.
Vu,.rhlt H.. nti,a,,rs -, i.i.v., MAJ thr,, -
too mn. IA " IN. Communi~tic principle in the
states Let Mr. Wand .ritlt and an other cnni-
,nist- NOR ,.i,n'i,,liv nantia'ii,,.rs tukn fhs
advice that wns given To- th,m flur yrurs MO-
hv Mr.. boutwell,. lie advised them not a. make
ptupnr- out ofthc working people ol the United
States If thry did they would rnrnnt H. Thns,,
words were uti.r,I shortly nft,r INV CnnLn
inlrd Manufacturers in every kind Of bust
ttion' there are millions # people that ARE
wnr In, lar nav s.tr..lv sum '.nf Ia huv IN.
commonest food To Keep tog ,thcr body and soul.
Sut,i.In. tLes,. nIillinr. III nsnt' hHd a .,,r
plus col money. ThrS need dryy goods clothing
:, nm ill.,. mills In IN. nnti,n i.ntp, AMI ti.,
would set thr railroads gone.