New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-10-02

THE QUESTION OF LABOR AND CAPITAI" BY JOHN
p. JEWS. 12mo. PIP 2l6. 6. T. Putnam SONS
In preparing this volume, the author has
aimed chiefly al showing the young American working
man that his welfare is placed in his own HANDS, ana
that there Just ground Of conflict between himself
aud the capitalist Under the present organization oil IN
dustry the parties must work together they are
equally dependent on the market for the compensation
they must receive their respective wages and prohs
and this the writer maintains is for their mutual
benefit The workingmau has no just ground Of hostility
20 capital Capital provides the instruments when are
indispensable TO this work. These instruments can be
accumulated only under the dominion Of law which
protects every III the enjoyment of his own labor
and enterprise. without such protection, there
could he no security for man can accumulate
If he is IN danger Of spoaton. Hence the requisite Instru
ments could NOT be provided, and men must submit
10 do what they without them. When the work
ingman enters upon his Of industry he should con-
slider that these instruments Of civilization are essential
10 his success But he claims some portion Of the
profits Of the instrument with which be is supplied IN
addition to the wages Of his labor This at the basis OF
the conflict between labor and capital Bat the instru
ments and the labor arc equally in the market The
workman command the instruments no needs at the
market rate. in the same way that he commands he
market rate for his labor In the one case the labor is
sold in the other ease the instrument is Sold and both
are exchanged the basis Of the law OF supply and de-
mand. Neither party is compelled to contract they
negotiate terms for their respective services; and stand
on the footing any other parties engaged in
mercal exchanges The transaction can special sense
be regarded contest There no moro OF contest N
the matter than there in all transactions
They are all governed by the law Of demand and
supply. In his valuable suggestions the nature Of
strikes, Mr. Jervis arms that they simply effort
To counterfeit the laws OF trade 10 every device TO
secure an advantage by means OF monopoly. In most
eases they attended by both tho employed aud
The employer No wellregulated industry allows
strike succeed in It's purpose In view of any change
IN the market intelligent business viii regulate
their rate wages the basis OF demand and supply
1t sometimes charged that the holders Of property
oppressive This doubt in many eases is often true
The reason is that many workmen unwilling 10
exercise the secontrol essential to the acquisition
property II all industrious and frugal there would
be little OF the dependence that gives undue power TO
capital In that case capital instead OF concentrating,
would be equally dlfused, and interest and
profits would be reduced. At present the
charge Of oppression is not well founded. The
workman as rule receives the full rate Of wages the
market will command and often paid from the funds
of The psj before the latter has received any profits
from sale Of his product. The topics OF Trades
Unions Community OF Property, Government Aid, Coop
erative Industry joint Stock Corporations and
ship are discussed by the author with equal clearne
sagacity, and common His remarks always
opportune well pointed and the terse simplicity of
his style evinees sincerity Of his purpose and the u
eidity Of his mind The wOrkingman, wen the
poyer Of labor may consider 10 advantage tie counses
OF this book from all tendency impgacticabe
theories love OF paradox, IL presents the
whole subject IN broad and level light, 1t afns the
sovereignty Of justice the dealings between aud
man and while it supports the claims OF capital il
tains the rights % labor and demands for PRIV
iIege or supremacy the other.