The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-23
The Gloom which Overspreads Eng
land.

In the House Of Commons the other night,
answering an inquiry whether it is
true, as reported, that we are now face a.
face with such a crisis Of distress as this
generation has never known" Mr.. CROSS
the English Home Secretary, used language
designed to quiet alarm. He said, great "a
the depression was, the reports Of suffering
among the poor were exaggerated. Very
likely this is true for in all times Of disa-
ter the evil forebodmgs Of men are apt TO be
added to the troubles actually present to
make them seem the heavier.
But, in spite Of Mr.. CRoss's soothing
words. the condition Of trade and industry
In England is now worse than II has been at
any time within this generation, and the
outlook is exceedingly gloomy. From all
parts Of the kingdom come stories OF com
mercal and manufacturing stagnation, and
consequent distress among the laboring
population. Even the middle class begins
tO feel the bitterness Of poverty. We are
told that lat Manchester vast numbers OF
the middle class poor, who will not appeal
to charity, are suffering kecnly;' and the
came thing may be said Of portions Of Scot
land, where the infamous failure Of the city
OF Glasgow Bank has wrought its worst
effects. A Glasgow paper gives list Of up
ward Of one hundred and fifty failures In
that city and the west of Scotland which are
directly or indirectly traccable TO that viii
ainy.
At Birmingham, Sheffield, stockton,
Stoke-on-Trcnt, Liverpool, Wolverhampton,
and a score Of other towns, both public and
private charity is taxed to the utmost to
render relief to the prevalent and increasing
suffering from poverty. All branches OF
manufacture especially those Of iron and
cotton, are in the most depressed condition.
The town Of Oldham, in the heart OF Ian
sashire and the capital Of the English cot
ION industry, affords an example Of the
state of things in many manufacturing
communities. Out of one hundred and fifty
mills forty have been closed, and those still
running have lately reduced wages, in CON
sequence Of which ten Thousand spinners
have gone out on a desperate strike.
'No ray OF hope" says the Manchester Er-
1u,iner, relieves the dense gloom before
lhom, tho dividends Of the limited companics
with which Oldham abounds are, with one
or two exceptions, nil and, what Is worse,
n almost every concern In the town wages
have for some time been paid out OF capital
and in very many instances balance OF
heavy loss II being carried forward"
While the experience Of Oldham is that 81
the cotton manufacturing industry general
ly. the condition ~ the iron trade Is little
II any, better Though the average earn
ings OF miner are now only pittancc al
1913 week, the Cleveland Mine Owners
Association, the leading body in the iron
mining interest. have resolved that they
must reduce wages 80 that they will be onl!
s. week. "Thc condition of the CleYclan,
iron trade they say, is such a. 10 rcudc
reduction in every item of cost ess"uti,
b. the continuance Of furnaces in blast
mines in operation. and mcu in employment
This necessity alone leads the owners I
sock a reduction from body Of men who's
position is frankly recognized 10y th"owI"i
NJ deserving Of great considerations Tia
Sheffield correspondent OF the London III
Onecr writes that "in the iron working dlr
tllcts the condition Of the artisans is somC