The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1882-07-20
WAGES AND PROTECTION.

The more we study the relative profits
of labor and capital in this country with a
view of arriving at an intelligent apprecia-
ton of the respective claims of the two, the
worse is the showing for the manufac-
turer or capitalist. We have on several &C.
casions heretofore pointed out the great
disparity and consequent injustice between
the wages of the workman and the per cent
age of his employer in the division OF the
profits of their mutual labor, but the SUBJ
iect admits of constant illustrations OF the
iniqultous and wide difference. The work
ingnien have themselves begun TO APP
preciate this injustice and have
demanded that they should at
least receive fair division of the profits, as
neither labor could do without capital nor
vice versa, and therefore an equity existed
which capitalists and manufacturers should
always respect and regard in the establish
ment of a scale of wages. If the manuiac-
turer is realizing 20 or 90 per cent. net on
his investment, certainly those who enable
him to do this should receive more than ~
or 30 per cent. gross of his income. Espe-
cially when more is absolutely nee
sary to obtain the comforts of
life. A deaf ear being turned to
their reasonable and just demands
they have been for some time past striking
in great numbers through the country, but
poorly provided with means and gnawed
by hunger they have had again and again
10 bear once more the hurtful burdens.
The fact that the capitalists in these trou-
bles have generally conquered does not add
TO the business of their cause, nor the
force of their reasoning, and facts still con-
tinue to accumulate to give the lie TO their
statements as 20 limited and decreasing
profits, and the urgent necessity for more
protection" A valued exchange, which
has been battling nobly and constantly
against this gross evil and never speaks
hastily, has the following useful facts and
figures, which teach their own lessons;
"There were in 1850. according to the Fed
eral census report, in round numbers 3d.
OO) persons employed In manufacturing IN
the twenty principal cities OF the United
States. There was paid TO them $4,000
600 in wages, or 1896 each per annum. The
material they used was valued at Sl.S45'-
OOO.OOO The value Of the product was
sz.12O, OOO,O 600. The net fruits Of their labor
therefore was s775, 10000. The amount of
capital invested was ss62,OOo,OO0. The net
rofit appears TO have been nearly ninety
per cent. This is a remarkable showing OF
profit. The average wages were less than
SEQ per week for operatives, while the
apparent profits were thus large. About
ope-fourth Of these laborers were black
smiths, shoemakers, carpenters and
bakers. These are supposed TO get wages
something like double the average here
given. which would diminish the weekly
wages Of the other three-fourths 10 only
about IS per week. These seem 70 be in
credfbly low figures and do not Justify the
continual plea Of the protectiOnists that
the enormous tariff put upon all goods is
necessary 10 keep up the wages Of labor
ersn IL is beyond comprehension how in
teIIireut legislators and men who pro
fess 10 Be the friends Of the peo-
ME. can continue openly and
vigorously TO defend industries, on the
Pleas ofinfancy and weakness, which are
Receiving nearly 100 per cent. net profits,
while the Drawn and muscle upon which
ti,ev depend sn5 without which they could
not run for . single day are forced 10 exc
ont a miserable existence On individual Al
lowunces amounting 20 only IS Per week
The disparity l. far 100 great, is enormous
and equally unjust. and il i tbe perception
Of this fad tlrnt Is daily intensifFins he
oflsbor 70 look rno-s dirert-
II 10 iis orn Interests IN the future. Hfis
poIitiuui rsrtiss Of The daT doDot besd her
dsrnrnas. fbs l.borrrs propose oVynnizing
s,r fhs-usss-es. and We flIsrefors trnst that
IN al our democratic conTentions 81 rhnt-
sTsr nstz7s, 10 uncsrfsin positions VI Be
taken On this s1tiect.