The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1884-04-19
MECHANIC 2" AGAIN
ON THE CONDITION OF SKILLED
LABORERS IN THE STATE.
lie Prefers Low Wages Here to High
Wages Elsewhere, Believing that the
Condition of Labor May be Inn

proved.
To THE CHRONICLE The Raleigh Ecea-
my I1sltor says concerning my recent
article
1t is not always the prices which the laborer
how well he is paid. The real practical question,
is the same class Of skilled labor in a better
condition North than here? If he can main
tain his family better, and give them more OF
the advantages OF life, then that answers the
question at once. But it will take this to
swer it,
Unless the Visitor doubts my figures in
regard to the difference in wages and the
cost of living, such question is not nee
essary at all 1t shows up of itself in my
letter. According to my figures the me-
chanic who earns 81 80 per week (Which |
say is more than the average mechanic of
Raleigh will earn the year round, deduct
ing loss of time) he will bring himself in
debt at least 81. 90 per week every week
he lives, in spite of all he can do, if he
has 50 many as four in family, and think
the census average gives us 81 to every
family in the State. Now, if the editor of
the Visitor can spend that amount of
money and support a family of four with
out going in debt, he can engineer S.. 90
note with more economical skill than |
can.
On the other hand, the Northern me-
chanic can take the same amount of money
it. But look at the difference in his
wages. The Northern man receives, Gin
| CASH according to the trade he follows,
all the way from So. so per day to so much
as 81 90, and even 81. go 1t appears to
| me this is some better
l would like for the Visitor to itemize a
bill for a family of four persons for one
week, with house-rent at IS. 90 per month
and wood at $4.00 per cord, and let US
look at it.
The Visitor further says that we enjoy
better facilities for setting up business for
| ourselves that "a spirit of independence
| is fostered among u.s." This esprit of
! Independence is not apt to avail much
when there is no meal in the barrel. Be
sides this, | have never seen this esprit
! fOStered.n | admit that our chances to
do business for ourselves are better, pro-
| viding we can raise little capital but if
a man has to save capital from his earn
| ings at the figures given, it will be many
| moons before we may expect large results
| from his establishment A shoemaker
may borrow enough money to buy exit
for $S. 90 or $1,000, and ''set up business. -
| But if we are to compete with other large
| establishments in our midst, we must
have little capital Besides this, it is
| evident we cannot all be ''bosses." While
it does appear from the number of ''Col-
Onels, " Generals" ''Captains," &C., now
among US that the army Of the late war
was composed of officers, yet | am told
there were some privates !
| OF course hard work, concentrated en-
ergy and pluck succeed. It will do that
in any place on the face of the globe.
There are instances in dear old North Car
Dina which could be cited. The Visitor
itself is a living example of this. But the
l h1oh
| has attained such dimensions, and such
signal success and universal popularity
under such adverse circumstances. In
| deed, it is quite miracle, and we are
| proud Of it,
/ Finally, the Visitor wishes to know
why, if | could do so much better from
| home did not remain i? This is charac-
teristic. But | will state that at that
time l was single man ; now am not
and l married in Raleigh. Then I have
many personal reasons which it will do no
good to parade through the public print.
But [ will answer to some extent by ask
ing if it ever heard of John Howard
Payne, the author of Home, Sweet
Home p & Be it ever so humble, there's
no place like honae.r .r These touching
lines have been sung in every cline and
by every nation; and have caused tears to
well unbidden to the eyes of brave men
when absent from home and loved ones
has caused the stern hearts of warriors tC
melt when sung by little child it has
been known to quell drunken rabble. II
is related of the noble Jackson that hear
ing little girl sing these touching lines
he drew up his horse and barred his head
in silent admiration, while tears courseG
down his battle-scarred cheeks. Does the
Visitor now understand why | live il
North Carolina It is my home every
thing near and dear to me is of Nortf
Carolina; and though she has her faults, a:
other States, she is still dear to the hearts
of her sons
am not unlike Payne in one respect
/ own no house of my own that | can cal
home, but the bright sunshine, the broa(
fields, the dear, familiar faces of the peO
pie of the ''Old North State'' are mine
When North Carolina stands in the from
rank of our sisterhood of States, (as sht
undoubtedly WILD I will be among tht
gladdest Of the glad should her fortunes
wane, and her people become depressed,
am with her.
am also convinced that the presen
condition of labor in the State and in tht
South will be vastly improved in the neal
future.
The Charleston Nems and Courier O.
April 10th, one of the leading journals O.
the South, am glad to see, comments edi
torially, and quotes copiously from m.
letter, and closes its article in the follow
ing words:
1.-The structures of the North Carolina me
chanic will doubtless apply with some force t.
the conditions of labor in our own State. Th
wages Of skilled work men here are higher
rule than the figures given above but there ar
other things as necessary to the comfort of tn
mechanic as the amount of wages he gets o
, the money cost of living. We are afraid tha
there are too many who regard manual EN-
ployments degrading, and who look upon
'mechanic' more as if be were machine thai
| a human being. Perhaps if more were done t.
| elevate and ennoble toll there would be les
| grumbling about untrustworthy servants AM
| fewer complaints from skilled labOrerS.'"
The NeaUs and Courier is right.
Some remedies for existing evils touch
ing this subject may appear hereafter.
MECHANIC.
= Raleigh, AprH 13.