Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-03-15
WAGES OF THE, FARM LA8oRsR.

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The exceedingly interesting, facts
given below are taken from the la
test publication of the agricultural
department at Washington:
The question has been asked: Is
there increase of wages as the nom
agricultural population Increases I?
Some have answered in the mega
tive, without stopping to inquire
for the facts, or in defiance of them.
There has been an increase with the
growth of manufacturing and other
non-agricultural population, as
shown by investigation of former
prices, compared with repeated and
thorough Investigations in the de-
partment OF agriculture.
Fifty years ago, at the commences
ment OF the era of manufacture, the
ascertainedl average of wages of
farm labor was about SO per month,
with board. AT that time the rate
was but little higher than at the
establishment of the government.
From 1890 to 1880 there was slow
but appreciable advance. This ten
dency operated slowly with fuctna-
tIons incident to changes in legisla-
tion and Industrial prosperity, until
1861. The imitation of the succeed
ing period carried the rate of wages.
with board, to $3.50. a decline of
course followed during the era of
descent to a gold basis. In 1876
the average was l$I2.4 In 1879,
when International currency was at,
par, and Industrial depression was
at its lowest depth, the rate was.
$10.54. With the healthful devel-
|opinent of industry that followed,
the average in 1882 was $12.41, al
most exactly the average of 1875.
This may be considered the average
of the present era, under normal
conditions, and it is an increase of
81 per cent. over the wages of thirty
years ago, the advance being made
coincident with the principal devel-
opment of the present status Of ag-
ricultural industries in the United
States. ~
But this is the rate of wages
"with board, the money paid when
the laborer is given the remainder
of wages in board. AS the cost of
board has been somewhat increased
during thirty years by reason of the
higher price which the farmer is
able to obtain for his products, the
real cost of labor Is greater than is
shown above; and fairer exhibit |
would be the rate of wages when
paid wholly in cash, or "wages
without board"
The rate of wages per month paid
wholly in cash, forty years ago,
was approximately, 1925 per
month. In 1866, when currency
was inflated and all prices high, the
average was $26. During the mon-
etary depression, as reported in 1879,
the average rate was $l6.16. In
1882, when labor was in normal
condition and paid in currency at
par, the average rate per month was
Sl8. 90, an increase of 40 per cent.
during the era of industrial devel-
Opment.
The influence of large industrial
on the rate of agricul-
tural wages is very striking. Its
effects are seen.in different sections
Of the state, according to the indus
trial development of such section.
The state Of Ohio, with only 40 per
cent. in agriculture, pays eompara-
lively high wages for farm labor,
because of its relative scarcity. Thus
The northern part of the state, with
Toledo, and other man
cities, averaged, in 1882,
s26. .96 per month. The western
district, which is. agricultural, with
Dayton, Springfield. and
)ther manufacturing towns, avera-
yes $24.75. The eastern district has
/ larger agricultural element, and
therefore lower average, which is
s22. .65.
Kentucky furnishes a fine con-
rast with Ohio. A river dividing,
)ne state with four-tenths in agri-
culture, the other with tive-eighths,
and most of the remainder CONNER
.ial and professional rather than in
1ustrial, the average has been as
IollOWS:
1879. 1882
lhio q sM 90 90
A part of this difference, very
mall part, 1t may be conceded,
comes from a larger proportion of
negro labor. 1
Illinois has large proportion OF
lou-agricultural population in the
,orthern counties. Dividing the
tate by east and west lines into
hree belts, the same result is seen,
With quite as much contrast as be-
ween Ohio and Kentucky:
Northern %
central "A %
southern district. IS 81
Comparing Illinois, as a whole,
With Missouri, separated only by
he Mississippi, with somewhat less
in industry and
mailer interests in manufactures,
ret with vastly more than Ken
ucky, the rates are as follows:
1879. 1882.
diSSOuri ~ % y %
kentucky 10 10 40 ~
In every state the rate of wages
8 affected favorably by the pres
nee of manufactures, whatever
,fher causes of difference may pre-
vail,
The middle states furnish an in
;eresting illustration of local prox- *
nifty of great populations within a
arge district which may be cOnsid-
,,.r1 a nrcmfnanf misunderstanding