The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-12-26
various kinds of manufacturing /
adjustments.

various KlnQS OF manufacturing eS.
The answer to the above inquiry can
only be met by historical facts as to the
condition Of laboring mechanics
half century OF more ago. The ques-
ton is not whether mechanics have
now more of the conveniences and
elegancies of life than fifty years ago.
for PROFESSIONALLY their condition in |
these respects has been vastly improv-
ed. AS far back as the year 1926 the
house of the average mechanic iD
the country towns had generally no
more than one room on the ground
floor, with sleeping accommodation for
children in the chamber. The furni-
ture was limited no carpet on the floor;
the table equipage was scanty, without
table cloth; the spoons were block tin.
the dresses of the women were home
spun, home-woven and home made
That of the men was produced in the
same way. Yet with all of these now
seeming privations, there was probably
found contentment and happiness, full
average of that in the homes of our
modern mechanics. In all of these
particulars which distinguished the
working mechanics of over fifty years
ago from those of the present day
there have been changes almost mar
yelous. The average mechanic now
dwells in a comfortable house with a
number of rooms, carpeted floors. ar
ticles of genteel furniture, often with
handsome painting or two hung on
the wall, a table covered with nice
spread, on which are often handsomely
bound books. The wives and daugh-
tiers Of mechanics of the present age
have no conception Of the homespun
wear Of their sex in the older states of
the Union two generations ago, but
they appear at home, on the street and
at church, clad in garments of respect
able quality, and a fit with true regard
to fashion.
No one need be told what has pro-
duced this wonderful change in the
condition of mechanics. 1t is inven-
ton and the introduction of machinery
that has revolutionized the conven.
fences and manner of living. Articles
of furniture and of ornament which
were once too costly for any but the
rich are now by the aid of machinery
brought within the reach of people of
Esmall means. A house can now be
decently furnished at one-fourth the
cost of sixty years ago.
But all of these advantages possess.
ed by the working mechanics of the
present time do not answer the inquiry
whether those of a like class did not
occupy more independent situation
fifty years ago. A careful examlna
ton of the facts seems to lead to the
conclusion that the mechanics Of over
a half century ago enjoyed more indie
tendency than now. 1t is sad to Con
template the multitudes who have
been thrown out of empl oyment the
past month The persons who com
pose this numerous class are in con
slant state of dependency: they can
not be said to own their time, for it Is
controlled and at the disposal of their
employers. They can make no certain
arrangements of their affairs fol
the future, for they know not wher
their services may be dispensed with
If they find their wages too scanty tC
afford a living, they dare not strike
for more pay, for they are almost sure
to meet defeat. Before the introduce
| tion OF labor-saving m achinsry, when
all mechanical trades were conducted
by hand work, and when capital did
not collect m &c .anics into large b pdles
causing taem to surrender their in
dlvidual inlepa nlence, than I'll we,t
on an equality, the road to success
being alike TO all. When all was hand
labor, every Industrious man worked
for himself, not dependant Oh any
moneyed establishment. Itwas CON.
mon thing for young mechanics tc
start off in life in some industrial
trade, II requiring but few dollars O
capital 10 obtain an outfit of tools
Com petition with hand labor was nc
unsurmountable impeachment. There
were hundreds of examples Of individ
uals without capital engaging ia trades
and in due time acquiring compe
tence. But what mechanic, however
industrious and perseverng, could
without capital commence the manu-
facture of articles now in demand
with a hope of success? MACHINERY
which can turn out more work in
few hours than he perhaps could &C
complish in a month would be com
petitor with which he could not con-
tend. Although labor-saving ma
chinery has changed the independ
ency of mechanics with perhaps
very few exceptions) it does not legiti.
mately follow that machinery has moi
| been blessing to mankind in general
Machinery has, on the whole, lifted
humanity to a higher plane of civiIiza-
ton.
TEMPERANCE IN CONGRESS.
A bill providing for commission tc
examine into the liquor traffic, which