The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1882-01-12

receive from ~ 70 ~ per week,
Ieom late labnlaled statistics, and ~
Chicago, one N the most noutishing u
American cities, only from ~ 70 si2. Hut
tho French Or British labmercanmofe than
sivc The difference In the prices he pays for
manufactured goods upon which lie de-
ponds for his comfort and which are OBJ
tanned by him NJ u round average decrease
Of 30 to 40 per cent over his American CO.
laboror. But again carpenters and toiners
receive In New York and Chicago wages
running from $50 TO $40 per week. while
in France and Great Britain the pay ranges
from so to 80, bearing in mind all the
while that there is difference in favor OF
the European in the purchase of his living
ranging anywhere from 81 ID
to 60 per cent. But further, In the foreign
States named, laborers, porters, ETC., receive
81 to SO per week, whereas in many, very
many, sections OF America they receive
no more, and in Chicago only command
from SO to IS per week. Farm hands in
Great Britain to-day receive rs much pay,
and, when we continue to remember the
item of cheaper living, better pay, indeed,
than in half of the States east OF the Mis-
sissippi river. The average farm hands
wages in England amount to 81 per week.
In scores Of other avocations the Ggures are
the same, and though it may be a revelation
to many on this side the waters, is none the
less historical and statistical fact.
Now when We turn to the other side of the
question and see how fares the man who
employs the labor ofthe poor at figures no
greater than the proverbially oppressed
laborer of Europe receives, the astonish-
ment at the comparison becomes even
greater. A tariff as now constituted means
that the amount of the tariff is necessary to
prevent foreign competition. If it be 60
per cent, as it is on wooden manufactures,
it means that European manufacturers sell
| go per cent cheaper than American manu-
facturers. The duties on iron are from 5S
to 90 per cent, on calicoes and cottons from
So to 63, on marble from 50 to 80,
even on salt G5 per cent, on
| drugs 100 per cent, on glass
from 90 to 100 per cent. and on everything
| else in proportion. In other words, the
American manufacturer is permitted to
make profit Of from so to 100 per cent.
greater than the European, and employs
his labor at nearly, or less than, the same
figures in England and France and perhaps
other countries. Now with the magnificent
adaptability of the United States to manu-
features, with the widespread prosperity
and scarcity of labor with the powers of gov
eminent grinding him down and refusing
redress when repeatedly demanded, ia the
presence of his own condition equal to
or worse than the oppressed of Europe so
far as the comforts of life are concerned, and
the luxury and the rapidly growing wealth
of the man who is working him for twelve
and sixteen hours day for half price and
receiving by thefostering care of the nation,
two prices for what the workman's
| skill makes him, under such circumstan-
ces indeed, is it at all strange that strikes
should be numerous and determined? In
modern times, man has learned to combat
oppression and injustice. So it is easy to
see the cause, what is the remedy for
strikes? A very plain one it seems
to us. If the poor man must be placed
upon an equal footing with the European
laborer remove these exorbitant tariffs and
enable him to purchase his living as pro-
portionately cheap. And in so doing put
the American manufacturer on an equal
plane with the English French or German
manufacturer. The employe will not fret
under low wages and long hours, If he Is
permitted to purchase in the cheap
markets and sees capital bearing the
same burdens and engaging in q
iust competition without being pam,
pered by the mon who should guard
| as jealousy the rights of labor'as the priv
ileges of capital. One class cannot become
governmental favorite of a government
for the many without exciting the .enmity
and active opposition of others less favored,
and If the Federal administrations would
insure order and contentment among the
working classes, and put a stop TO labor
riots and strikes, it does not require distin'
guished ability, it appears to us, to see that
all that is necessary is TO take the letters of
of commerce and trade, lit the weight of
the business world, and compel labor and
capital to depend upon the natural rela'
tons between them ior profit and success.