Mexico weekly ledger., 1878-10-03
THE FARMER AS A WORKING
MAN

WOEkilStudu Duo ~ |
He rises early, labors late,
and eats. the bread of toll. On this
account, however, the farmer ought
not either to classify himself with the
so-called sworkingman's party or
allow any one else to confonnd- him
with it.
The condition and interests Of the
farmer differ materially from those OF
the operatives that compose the
workingmen's organizations.
In saying this we do not refer to
such men as Cohen, Kearney and
Megy and their followers. In our
opinion it would be altogether ont OF
place to allude to such as a political
party. Regarded from a moral
standpoint the communist is no better
than any other robber or tramp. We
speak Of those honest workmen that
have at least the sympathy of the
right minded when adversely ever
takes them. What we wish to call
attention to is that while sympathising
with unfortunates the farmer ought
not to overlook his own interest.
The farmer employs himself. He
~prescribes his own task and the
method and time of accomplishing
what he designs. There cannot there
fore be dispute with himself in regard
to hours and wages, and if there
could it would not matter into which
of his breeches pockets the earnings
went.
1t Is far different with the ordinary
laborer. He is dependent on jobs
and must hunt for and find employ
ment. The same may be said O
mechanics. They, too, must search
for work and accept such as an b
found. There was q time when th'
mechanic constructed all he used
Now most trades rely on machines
The skilled laborer of to-day mainl,
waits on soma complicated mechan
ism. To do this requires but littl'
knowledge; at the same time it en-
genders great fatigue. The steam
engine is a remopseless master
every turn Of its wheel necessitates
corresponding motions, without inter
walls of rest. Under such circum'
stances is it wonderful large wages
and short hours are demanded by
labor leagues? 5s
While the manipulation of machinery
is exhausted by eight hours constant
drudgery, often performed as he is
occupying an unnatural position, the
farmer readily puts IN without exces'
sive fatigue all the time that inter
venes between sunrise and sunset,
What interest then has the farmer
in establishing short hours of work
Will such legislation reduce tae
prices of the fabrics he buys? Viii
it not be better for him to leave such
economic questions to be settled by
the rates of demand and supply?
In these days of progress the far
mer uses machinery as well as the
manufacturer, but it is rarely driver
by steam. and is of a character IL
lessen drudgery. The position o
driver is far less laborious than thai
of mower, reaper or ploughman. III
woull, therefore, be a great wrong to
the farmer if, after furnishing reliei
to laborers, short hours were enforced
against him, as contemplated by all
labor leagues.
The farmer ought not therefore T.,
identify himself with such organiza.
tons. He is most interested in hav.
ing cheap labor and long hours with
light taxes and transportation and
good prices, and if he is wise will
ally himself to the party that is most
likely to secure them for him.
When mechanics are imposed upon,
or when new machines requiring fresh
apprenticeship are introduced, We
advise them to emigrate and become
what we regard a the noblest of all
things-an honest and industrious
farmer. working directly for himself.
We have no sympathy, however,
With suggestions like the following,
the evident design of which is to
deplete the treasury and increase
taxes:
"a NEW SCHEME.
"a new association is forming,
known as the Enlisted Labor Asso-
citation. 1t is proposed to urge upon
congress the passage of q law by
which o. 10000 volunteers may be en-
listed for five years for military and
agricultural purposes on reservation
of the government. AS soon as ten
thousand men shall be enlisted they
shall be sent to the reservation, and
upon their arrival shall lay out "a city
and begin the erection of suitable
quarters for permanent settlement,
preparing ground for agricultural
purposes and developing mineral re-
resources Of the country. Each corps
is to be furnished by the government
with seeds, stock, farming nipple
ments and tools. Volunteers are to
receive the same pay as regular SOL
diers, and every person enlisting
shall, upon honorable discharge, be
entitled to a patent for 100 acres of
land as now provided for by the
act or to one lot within