The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-08-14
ss France has $50 Per Capita of Cur
rercy.9s
WAGES IN THAT HAPPY LAND,

NNS'@>>'
at Bordeaux, furnishes the Department OF
State with an elaborate review OF the va
rious Industries of the Gironde. Bordeaux,
with one hundred and fifty workingmen's
societies, has thus far been exempt from
strikes, or other reckless action, by any
class OF laboring-men. They are more pa
tient, orderly, and prudent than the work
ingmen in other parts OF Europe. Bor-
deauX suffers from an unusual number OF
cafes-nurserics OF idleness, but not OF
drunkenness. Light wines and beer are
the common beverages. although rum,
gin, and brandy are to be had at low
prices, they are rarely used. Savings
societies. exist to some extent among
the laborers, encouraged, in some in-
stances. by wise and benevolent capital
lists. Farm laborers are frequently so eco
nomical as to become quite wealthy proprie-
tors. They are paid $50 to 420 francs (ST6
to SS4) year, lodged, and boarded; if not
boarded, but are lodged, they receive as
high as 800 to $50 francs (Sl60 to S17O) per
annum. Day-laborers, without board, re-
ceiye . to 8 francs day, with bottle OF
wine. A suit Of clothes costs 10 to 90 francs.
Coopers, .ship -carpenters, and forernen In
wine-cellars, by great frugality, attain
condition OF comparative independence.
L W
stated at to A francs per day-an increase
of nearly franc since 1873. The cost Of
living has not increased, but rather de-
creased. In 1915 the decrease was notable
in bread, meat, and potatoes. A Gov
eminent cigar-factory was established here
in 1916. 1t employs $50 men and l 400 wo-
men. The men earn about francs and
the women two francs day. The value OF
the tobacco used is 100000 francs annu-
ally. much of which is imported directly
from the United States. Over 700 cooper
shops exist in the district, employing more
than 1900 men. The number OF casks made
annually is 100000, and their value ~
100000 francs. The slaves come prlnclpaly
from the borders of the Baltic and the Adrl-
attic. A few come from the Unlted otates:
More would be imported II they were not
so bunglinely made. 1t is alleged that IL
takes third longer to prepare an american
staye than it does one from the Adrlatlc.
Thev should he split, not sawed. About
Il. 600, 900 bottles are made ANNUALLY III the
CITY by seven factories, employing 700 work
insmen, who are paid by the 100 bottles,
and who earn as high as - francs per
Iiay. according to their skill. -Four
factories, with 300 men earning from
three to six francs per day, make
3.4O0, 900 white glass preserve jars and per-
fumery bottles. AT least one-third as many
more are imported. Only traction Of the
number OF corks used in Bordeaux are made
there. say 100000. Cork-cutters receive
3 to q francs per 1000. One hundred mil
lions Of corks are imported. More than
], 200 persons are engaged in the mauufac-
ture OF liqaeurs and conitureS. In the au-
tumn double the number are employed.
Men earn from to francs per day, and wo-
men about half as much. The annual value
OF these products is 100000 francs. a
mint was established in Bordeaux in A. d.
S64, reestabiished in 1455, re0pened in 1895,
and again in 1870. The coinage of silver
was from 1795to 1S4S. l26,363,0 900 francs;
1S4s to 1866, 3O,OO0,O0O francs; 1868 to 1870,
closed; 1870 to 1875, 100000 francs.
From 80 to SO workmen are employed in the
mint.