Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-07-30
The Strike and the stContractn Sys.
tenn.


not word to say in favor of the tyranny of
mObS; which with unlawful and brute force
would attempt to dictate to others how much
wages they should receive, we can not close
our eyes TO the TACT that an injustice has been
done TO our poor labOring population, who
have been looking hopefully forward for work
at living wages, to be paid out of the liberal
EtonSIeSSsionai III. S appropriations recently made
Among these appropriations was one for the
construction OF building for the Bureau of
bureau Is an able and extremely conscientious
man, and therefore no blame is attached to
hlm IN the manner the work has been given
out, as st the law under which he is acting pro-
yldCs that it shall be done by the lowest bid.
der, and the sharp competition which obtains
among contractors requires their employing
men at wages Which only their dire neceS-
whole trouble grows out Of the reprehen-
slbie system OF the government, contract
ing" Tor almost everything it uses If the
drivers or few tons of hay, it must needs
advertise for" Proposals. when the charge for
the advertisements will exceed the whole cost
ot the screw; drivers and the hay Or, if this
Proposals in writing" are made to dealers
in the article" who, in nine cases out of ten.
Ua5 OF osr sheer 5eai9usy Of their compettors
and then when their tender is accepted will
either try to back out altogether or deliver
articIes OF inferior quality. Such being the
lay down the rule that it is to the positive
interest of the government to do as any good
business man would under like circum-
stances-get what it wants in open market,
from we'll known honest dealers, and pay the
lowest ruling PRICES. We assume that the
goVernment should not pay more or less than
the individual, otherwise the people, who are
themselves the .'''government,s give to it the
money Wherewith to buy lash to lay upon
their own back.
Now, why should the government contract"
m rl mo y0l noly Iot,o
ging out foundation for one of its public
buildings? We're it to undertake it itself no
outlay would be required for expensive ma
Gefeefy edr fesy skled labor Of an exceptional kind
hereafter in some parts of the superstructure.
Gulded by the approved plans, compel INT
cverseers appointed by the government could
and the workingmen would be sure of getting
their pay at the ruling rates, whatever they
may be. The people are in no humOr now for
Neither do they require of Uncle Sans mir:
chasing and disbursing officers the practice of
unnecessary parSsnao1ay, and they commit q
grave grave et error II they act otherwise. In these
tlmeS OF general business depression, when
there are thousands who are willing to do
manual work who never before knew what it
was va, TO labor with their hands, the axiom that
the the .q6orer is worthy Of his hire has more
force than ever, and is worthy Of the greatest
attention and respect. In this connection it
occurs to us that if these amenities were more
regarded there would be less talk and danger
of 'contlict between capital and labor"
The contract" system is beautiful theory
on paper-of the would be &c CconOmists'' who
concentrate the whole power Of their gigantic
intellect upon the suppOsitiOuS ''gainS" of the
lnhnltc SINAI "spiggOt," while they quite omit
to notice the enormous. financial "loss' at the
national 'bung-hole."
=, AS far as is consistent with existing laws on
the subject, change in this respect Should be
made Immediately, when we feel assured the
government will be better .erved and the
people will be better satisfied
SEMI-OCCAsIoNAL.