Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-24
Eradstreet's Figures.

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The facts gathered by over 1000 CORE
spondents, which are given in the last
number Of BrddStreers relative to the
condition of the industrial interests OF the
country and the number of wor1ingmen
out of employment, present rather
gloomy picture.
1t is a picture calculated to make pro-
tectiOnists wonder whether, after all, the
protective system can be depended on to
furnish plenty of work to wOrkingmen at
good wages and keep the manufactures
Of the country busy and prosperous.
1t appears that twenty-five States, in
Guiding Maryland, Virginia, West VIZ
GINA, Kentucky, Missouri, and all states
north of them, employ nine-tenths Oh the
wage-earners in manufacturing and min
ing pursuits. The number in 1852 was
200. 600. OF that number 35O,OOO are no"
out of employment; that is, one wage
Garner out of seven is out Of employment.
The reduction in wages has been from 10
to p per cent. The average is, perhaps,
about IS per cent. At present, therefore,
there is paid to the wage-wOrkers little
more than three-fOurths the amount that
was paid to them two years ago.
It can be seen readily how the decrease
in the amount distributed affects all kinds
of business. When hard times are spoken
Of it means a great deal more than ap-
pears on the surface.
The number Of strikers at present is
1850. 1t is claimed that where the
trades unions are strongest the downword
tendency Of wages is least. 1t seems sur
prising that there are so many strikers,
and that the number eXcites so little
comment. They are so widely scattered,
however. that they do not attract much
notice.
Some OF the details given in BrddStreers
are rather interesting. There are lS,OOu
fewer operatives in the boot and shoe
trade than in 1882. The market, however,
is as well supplied with boots and shoes
-. was in flush times. In fact, it is
III that ,e output this year has
a lied that any previous year.
those employed in working iron
blast furnaces to locomotive shops
700 are out OF employment. This is one
Nth Of the whole number. The wages OF
those who still have employment has
been very much reduced. The output OF
the blast furnaces, however, is not much
more than one-third of what 1t was in 1882,
and Of the steel rail mills about One-half'
In New England and the Middle States
IS per cent. of those employed
in wooden mills in 1880, is idle. There
mas been no falling of, however, in the
sale of wooden goods. The demend hasn't
kept pace with the increase Of population
however.
There are out OF work $4,000 clothing
makers, 10000 cotton operators, $1,000
cigar makers, 400 glass makers, and
1000 silk weavers.
The wonder is how these people live.
As a rule. when employed they are I'M
able to save anything. Some few, per-
haps, have enough to support themselves
comfortably for a while, but the great
mass of them must be fighting a hard
fight with hunger and cold.
The present depression which all
kinds OF manufacturing interests
are suffering cannot be charged to
the account of the tariff refOrmers,
although the prOtectionists would like,
doubtless, to charge it to them. 1t is the
logical result of the protective system.
Senator Lamar, nearly three years ago, in
a speech in the Senate, predicted what is
now taking place. He said that the pre-
tectiye system would work admirably as
long as the country could absorb the pro-
duets of the mills, but that disaster would
come when the output Of the mills was
greater than the wants Of the country.