New-York tribune., 1878-07-05
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
TAKING THE FIELD TO VIEW THE SUN.
WAsnNGroY, Thursday July 4, 1873

Congress appropriated $4,000 for the pur-
pose of observing the total solar eclipse, to take place
the Goth OF July As soon as the money was avail
able, Admiral John Rodgers, superintendent OF the
United States Naval Observatory began to make prepa-
ra,iOns for full and exhaustive observations as the
at his disposal warranted. These preparations
are now completed and the observing parties will soon
take the field fully instructed concerning their respec-
tive duties The poarscOpe and the spectroscODe will
he used examine the corona of the sun during TO-
allty. The duration of tOality VIII not be more tnan
three minutes in the North, and two and hah IN
Texas The following Is inc nc NaSoI asS oTl Gl
geryatoy and their proximate points OF destnGI3n
Professor Newcomb, COMMANDER W; T. sampson, Lieu
Crest0n Wyoming. The following party Will be sta
toned at Los Anmas La Junta. Arizona Professor
MrW T. Gardner and Mr. A. b. Wheeler The next party
VIII locate at CrestOn Wyoming, and is made up
W Sturdy Assistant Astronomer A. NJ. Skim r. Messrs.
L. E. Walker, \. G.. Clark, and Professor o. H. Robinson
sor J. r. Eastman Professor Lewis Boss Assistant As
trOnOmer III. VI. Paul and Mr. H. ;. Pritcnet Inc iOi-
Holden. Lieutenant r ". Very aid DR.. c. $ Hastings
Mr. l.. Trauyello Of Cambridge, Mass accompanied by
ns 'C OF the 90 Corona. Mr. G. H Of the Nautical
Almanac Office. will be stationed on one OF the
corona. Professor Osmond Stone, OF Gihclhnati
aud Mr.. WnsOw Upton, OF Cambridge, VIII
General Myers aud Professor Ab OF the signal Office,
and Professor Landey, OF Pitshrg, viii 30 to Pixies
Jansen the famous astronomer from Paris, are coming
over to observe tue eclipse.
LABOR AND WAGES AT NEWCASTLE.
The subject of labor and the cost of 1t in
the mining districts OF England is treated in an eab-
orate report from the Consul Mr.. Evan X. Jones, AT
Newcaste-upon-Tyue. He says that in 1873 there
was n strike OF 5000 men. lasting twenty weeks, for
nine hours as days work In this instance the strike
was success full From that time nine hours became a
days work throughout the country. At that period
trade on the banks OF the Tyne was at the height OF
prosperity. The men at various times received ad-
vanccd wages, amounting to 90 per cent during those
prosperous days. These advances were then generally
secured by arbitration Goals doubled in price and coal
hewers received shiliugs for ak hours labor Last
Autumn another strike Of 5000 men occurred lasting
eight weeks against reduction Of 12l9 cent on their
wages CapIta was successful that tme and the work
men submitted the reduction after great losses and
sacrifices Good order prevailed during the strike OF
two months. During the season OF prosperity large
numbers Of agricultural labOrers focked TO the mines
for work. In 1873 the number OF men working under
roind was & 900 When depression in the trade came
on, 1000 OF these men returned 10 farm work ! ne
number of men working underground now tJuhe, i9rSJ
is 600 During the last two and half years $4,000
have been distributed among out OF employment by
one association Of miners. Nevertheless sports anu
~ ag,i"urai Iab0rers are 80 per cent higher in tue
northern counties of England than in the southern
Thus In the north the weekly wages are II shhnugs
aud in the south IL shiliings aud pence
WORK AND WAGES IN ENGLAND.
In reply to the recent labor circulars of the
Department Of state General Badeau, the Consul-Gen
eral at London sends report Ia which he states that
during the past five years have increased grad
uay about 10 per cent while tue cost of living has I-
creased about 25 per cent Clothing is about 80 per
cent higher whe fuel has not risen IN price ARrieul-
tural aborers got from 81 to So per week, including
beer building laborers and gardeners from 81 40 TO
S5 10 per week. bricklayers carpenters, masons aud
engineers from SO 80 TO $l1 per week and cabinet
makers printers and jewellers from So to S12 80 per
week although the best marble masOns and jewellers
receive Sl4 IS. Bootmakers and tailors get from
ST SO to 81 G5 per week; and bakers from "a 90 to
81 20. with partial board. Women servants are paid
from $40 to S24O per annum. Railway porters ana
poorers on public works get from 81 45 to Sl2 per week
Rents have 80 per cent and are Tor artisans IN
London from 81 20 to 81 40 per week for one or two
rooms Labor and trade are greatly depressed, no
change for the better being yet apparent Inc pfeNa
lent strikes unmstakaDle indications OF want OF
a prosperity and the markets for staple COM
modites are very dull aud greatly unsettled oy war ru-
mora London business is essentially cosmopolitan IN