Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-08-19
The Unemployed.

the present time, that the Chief OF the Bureau
of Statistics of Labor in Massachusetts,, took
measures IN June last to make complete
canvass OF that State and ascertain what
NUMBER Of people in it were out of employ
ment. The canvass began June oath and
closed August 18th. The returns include all
but ffty-one towns in the State, and these are
reckoned to have no unemployed, as no re-
turns were made.
The result Of this canvass shows that in a
State whose population is ,65l,9l2, of which
js4 600 belong to the skilled and unskilled
laborers-447 ,lS4 males and 1871 500 females
the total unemployed of males and females
over eighteen years of age is but y, 50S
The statement made by the labor agitators
and Communists is that there are from 200
900 to 300 900 people out Of employment in
the State; 10000 in the City Of Boston ;
5000 900 IN the United States, &c. Thus
they endeavor by these immense exaggera
! lions to create the impression that there is a
vast army Of the unemployed, suffering and
starving, and all owing to the oppression OF
our financial system, the tyranny Of capital
lists and bondholders But the figures Of the
Massachusetts canvass overturn this false
hood. They show that the grcenbackers have
no basis Of truth for these statements in fine
that there are no more unemployed people in
Massachusetts, now, and by parity of reason
ing IN the United States, than in any other
years in proportion to population The Chief
OF the Bureau, in his statement, says
1--WE have had enough of industrial hypochon-
dfia aud it Is time the public recognized the facts
/ in the case, aud acted accordingly. The industrial
stagnation and depression has been, and Is severe
enough; Int every sign Indicates sure recupera-
iion The people are growing stronger every
mouth and, while this county will not jump into
prosperity, II will fad itself isr her along dutng
| the next slX or twelve months than it would have
| believed possible six months ago; for the AssuT-
snce comes from every hand, by ports to this
office from all parts OF the Commonwealth, that
employers Of labor are starting up, or preparing
to start up this fall. Occasionally still hear OF
works closing, but these reports grow less and less
| frequent. Whatever involves the welfare OF the
woI kingmen of this State It is our duty TO con-
slider. Ii is therefore proper that should state
the result Of long, patient, and searching inquiry
into the cau.es which have led to the present con-
| dion OF things.
| We have CONSIDERABLY studied most Of the the
| oiies advanced, but have been entirely unable 10
| formulate the causes alleged. If any Is prom
| lnent II Is to be found in exaggerated pelsof al
| credit; and, as a cOrollaIy OF this, exaggerated
statements OF the Ills that are upon Us lie al the
| foundation Of whatever OF Communism there is IN
this country. Communism always lhiives upon
reckless and exaggerated statements to the
| realty. SO, when through h1sIness failures, whcu
force re-sdlustments OF values, the ludiv OF
our nation, to large extent, have eNtnCated them
| selves rom the business chaos to which their own
| imitation has carried them, then Will come general
prosperity. This state of affairs Is coming; and
| he assertion Is made, not alone upon the recent
| in. estigaton in this State, but As the result of
personal inquiries and observations made by the
writer duriug the home canvass, in nearly all the
New England States, all the Middle States, the
| Southern Atlantic States except Florida, and in
| the great States of OHIO, Indiana, Kentucky, len
nessee aud Georgia, and from extensive Inquiries
of travellers from the West aud the South est.
| No region but from it come reports of business
revival, slow, as We have said but sure Iecuper-
alton; and it is rig bit the people should know the
| facts. The state cannot enforce prosperity.
| This is a national questions and from the state
| uent of unemployed IN Massachusetts, we are able
to make most careful estimate Tor the whole
county, although, wi h the exception of New
| York aud Pennsyiyania Mass ACT usetts has II
greater proportion of unemployed than any oiner
State because Der industries are so largely srtif-
| cial. On the basis given, the unemployed 10 the
| whole United states reaches 010,0OO,-a number
| too vast altogether, but small compared with
| 5000 900. The absufdity of the 5000 900 state
nent is readily seen wnen it is known that there
but about 100000 people in the country en-
gagged in productive industries"
THIS is the language Of a man who knows
what he is saying, and has no motive or pur-
pose to state other than the facts as he finds
them after the most careful Investigation
But grcenback demagogucs purposely distort,
eNaggerate and pervert facts to answer the
ends which they have in view We look
around in Maine for the great numbers of
unemployed men which they speak of, but
they are not here. Wages are less, to be
sure, but SO are the prices of living, and
laborlng men are generally doing as well as
usual
Laboring men should turn upon the green
back cheats and liars and brand them as the
decelvcrs and enemies of the laboring class.
With an honest and sund currency estab-
lished, confidence will DO restored in the
country, and then will come a season of gold.
en- prosperity that will gladden. the hearts of
both employer and employed
Shun the gulf and the crazy party OF
irredeemable paper money by supporting
! COANOR and HONEST MONEY.