Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1884-10-07

Or taking an average of the above neces-
saries of life a dollar in 1860 was worth as
much as dollar and a half was worth in
1881.
But even in 1881 wages were not higher
than in 1860 in proportion to the cost of
living, as is illustrated by the following itaH
BILE for the wooden carpet industry, whichis
taken from the official reports of the
Massachusetts Labor Statistics Bureau for
1882: sa
n,.. VAS; rs s. $3.50 vsg; 81 ~ s Il:
B Bssf 5 ss4ssd: ::::sSsS go go
F FE5aI sf fsm1lyi5sas 1s sSIf
B Bssi ii mems days IS Days
The figures show that Republican policy
resulted in reducing the value of laborers
wages, even in 1881, when prosperity was
| greater than now.
Let every working man for. himself carry
the comparison down to to-day and pro-
nounce judgement in the tribunal of his
own conscience upon the audacious claims
of the Blaine Republicans that their success
is essential, to the welfare of laboring men.
The Democratic party has no alliance
with monopolies, but is bound by its prin-
ciples and history to protect labor and ad-
vance the interests of working men.
Its policy, as declared in its platform and
in Cleveland's letter of acceptance would
6SGuE6 W 4hUOI u 1hIB01 SIdlC III VIC pIOul5
of industry and advance wages without in
creasing the cost of the necessaries of life: /
Do not let yourselves be deceived. Look
into your own condition, remember the
facts of the history of American labor and
vote for Cleveland and Hendricks, and the
protection of honest industry and fair wages
against degrading competition and the tyr
amy of monopolies. s.55
The Party the Cham.
piOn of American Labor.
To tie Workingmen Of the United States
Four years ago the Republican Party
promised Better: Times and Higher Wages
if Hancock should be defeated, and the Re-
publican party kept in power. Has this
promise been kept2 atss
Are your wages higher than in 1880 /? Do
you pay less for your food and clothing
than you did them Is your employment
more constant, and do you have more to put
by at the end of every week or month than
you had four years ago?
If not, will you trust Republican promises
again?
1880, in spite of the natural growth of the
country during four years of peace and in
dustrial development?
The answer is, because you are monstrous-
~ overtaXed-to the extent of over $780,
GOO, 600 every year by the National Govern
ment alone. !.
The Democrats propose that this money
shall be left in the pockets of the people!
MIR. Blaine and other Republicans propose
that it shall be collected permanently, and
that after the United States Government has
spent all it can spend, the remainder shall
be given away for other uses than that for
which you Pay it. This would keep the
Government rich but the country poor. A
poor country can only pay poor wages
American wages still remain higher than
those of competing countries in those en-
Payments that have not been shut up
through Republican misrule. Continuance
of that extravagant msrule will further re-
duce wages and shut you out of more en-
ployments. What is to be done 2 The
Democratic platform tells you. 1t says:
The Democracy pledges itself to purify the
administration from corruption, to restore econ
omy, and to reduce taxation; but in making re-
auctions in taxes, 1t Is not proposed to injure
any domestic industries, but rather to promote
their healthy growth. All taxation shall be lin
tied to the requirements of economical govern
ment. The necessary reduction in taxation can
and must be effected without deprfvng Amerf-
can labor OF the ability to compete successfully
with foreign labor, and without imposing lower
rates of duty than will be ample to cover any
increased cost of production which may exist in
consequence of the higher rate of wages prevail
ing in this country.
We believe that labor is best rewarded where
it is freest and most enlightened It should
therefore be fostered and cherished. We favor
the repeal of all laws restricting the free action
of labor, aud the enactment of laws by which
labor organizations may be Incorporated, and
of all such legislation as will tend to enlighten
the people as to the true relations of capital and
labor.
Remember that no National legislation re-
garding taxation of foreign or domestic pro-
ducts or labor has been passed since 1880,
excepting the law of the Republican Tariff
Commission. The Republicans are respon-
sible, and the Democrats cannot be RESPONSE
BILE for your present difficulties.
American workmeni complain with Justice
of the injury done them by Imported Con-
tract Labor.
How does this come about
The law passed by a Republican Congress
and President, provided ::
SEC. 2. And Be IL further enacted, That all
contracts that shall be made by emigrants of the
United States in foreign countries, in conformity
to regulations that may be established by the
| said commissioner whereby emigrants shall
l pledge the wages of their labor. for term not
exceeding twelve months, to repay the expenses
of their emigration, shall be held to be valid in
law, and may be enforced in the courts of the
il toriea; and such advances, if so stipulated in
Recorders Office in the county where the emf
i grant shall settle, shall operate asa lien upon
any land thereafter acquired, until lfquidated
by the emigrant, whether under the homestead
law when the title is consummated, or on
property otherwise acquired BY the smigrant