The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-03-20
Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Bureau Of Labor Statistics.
The proposition of Senator Blair to
create bureau of labor statistics should
be adopted without delay. There is no
more important service that could be rem
dered the public than to coIlate all the
facts attainable to give the condition and
wages paid the labor of the country, and
this can in no other way be done SO well as
to have bureau specially dedicated to
this object. Nearly every other branch of
industry is accommodated by special stat
utOry provision in this respect. Facts
and figures as to finance, commerce, ag-
riculture, are accessible, in the several de-
partments Of government entrusted with
their collection, but there is mo provision
made for a systematic classification rof la
Dor and the wages it receives, 'notwith-
standing, labor is the primary source of
our national prosperity and the growth Of
all other departments of enterprise. The
investigations made by the Senate Com
mittee, of which Mr.. Blair is Chairman.
adduced a vast amount of valuable infor-
nation in regard to the labor of the coun-
try, and fully demonstrated the necessity
for such a bureau as he il. seeking to have
established. From the discussion of the
report he has made looking to the creation
of bureau of labor statistics, we learn
that similar proposition had been made
before, but was not pressed with that per-
tlnacity necessary to success. 1t was
made to give way to far less essential leg
islation. for the reason that there seemed
to be no Senator or Congressman who
felt sufficient interest in the subject of
labor to become it's champion. ION the floor
OF Congress. 1t presents vast field for
inquiry and investigation and to neglect
1t would be a serious reflection on tho
practical stateenIaIIsnIp OF the Senate and
House OF Representatives. Whatever can
be done to alleviate labor and to reward it
literally should be done. Its true condi-
ton cannot be ascertained- real wants
measured-without some system in the in
vestlgatlon and the methodical arrange
ments OF facts relating to it. 1t is the
boast OF the Republican party that it is
the friend OF labor and.this boast is justi-
fled in the legislation it has enacted to en-
courageAmerican industries that American
labor might be employed at remunerative
wages. But we have only a general i'm
preston as to the results and no more
than fragmentary information as to the
wage earner's relation tothe;progress and
wealth of the country. To establish a
Bureau of Labor Statistics, undtr COM
petent supervision, would enable the gov
eminent to classify labor and the wages
paid, the degrees of it's educational attain
ment and its moral status, which would be
suggestive of remedies to advance its in
terests and dignity its characrer. The in
creasing intelligence of the Countrywide
growing influence of the public free school
system, which now blesses every State in
the Union, is being manifested in all the
channels of industry, and is stimulating
inquiry into the economic relations of
society. AThe mere ''hewers of wood and
drawers of water''-the human machines
which move asithey are moved upon, are
growing less SO each year, as the school
houses multiply and the agencies of mental
improvement are increased and as the
standard of general intelligence is elevated
is inquiry instituted as to relative rights
and opportunities. And thus is the labor
interest of the country becoming ques-
zion that can no longer in safety be ig-
nored OF trifed.. with, and the statesman
who does not grasp the subject in its full
and pregnant meaning. will fall short of a
comprehension of his duty, as well as the
welfare of the Nation.
We are gratified to recognize in Senator
Blair a friend of the labor class of the
country, not only in their economic.
but their moral relations. He has devoted
much study to the wage question-to labor
as a factoTsi in material progress and nation
al growth, and from motives equally COM
mendable. has given exhaustive attention
to the relation of popular education and
moral reform to the whole field of manual
effort and human progress and happiness.
Probably no other subjects have such in
innate connection with national charac-
ter, or are more essential to the formation
of healthy basis for social as we'll polit-
cal Superstructure. Labor cannot reach to
its proper dignity without education and
temperance, and with labor thus toned
and seasoned, it would enter as political
factor into the whole ploblem of govern
ment, for it would rob the demagogue of
his favorite food-appeals to ignorance
and vepality- temper parties with whole
some methods and elevate the standard of
American craftsmanship, as well as legis-
lation.
Senator Blair is not attractive to the
mere politician, for it is rarely he is found
participating in the debates which relate
to questions Of mere party signif-
canoe and advantage. He is, however,
pressing, to the front questions of
economic and moral import, which par
ties will soon find they cannot ignore.
questions which implicate our national
character-our social and industrial
strength and dignity, and which are des-
tined to either crush or perpetuate par
ties as they may reject or champion them.
In this he is serving well his country and
acting part in the United States Senate
for which his own State and the Nation
at large should commend him.
We are gratified to notice THAT our
neighbor of the Vindicator is crawling
out from the mold and damp of the
lava beds and scraping the moss from
his back. The, instruction of the VIR
GILMAN has had a most happy effect
in removing the cobwebs from his
vision and opening his eyes to the de-
mands of the times. With commemorate
aptness he has accepted all the measures.
affecting State policy, that he but recently
and now comes forward and en-
braces the policy of protection with an ar
Tor that attests his sincerity. The remo-
val of the capitation tax restriction on the
ballot, the repeal of the whipping-post |
oW tho Pid11ol,orr~o,. coA41,... 80 Az