Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1885-02-26

three times; tailOrs twice. and book
binders more than twice the wages paid
10 similar trades and occupations in
London"
Now We come to the cost of food and
living, which the free trade papers say
Is 80 much less abroad than in America;
In the tables comparing the cost Of
the nsesssariss of life, it is shown that
bacon sells for about the same in Lon
don; ham, abOnt 30 per cent higher; beef
20 per cent higher; mutton 20 per cent
higher; sugar fer less; tea and coffee a
little higher; butter for a trifie more;
rice for less; flour for less; bread, 80 per
cent less; oatmeal for more, and potatoes
for little less than thu same articles
can be purchased for ia Chicago and
New York. 1t should be borne in mind
however says the report, shat the bet
ter classes OF fOOd-beef, mutton, butter
and rice-are daily nscessaries for the
table OF the better classes of skilled
workmen in America. rarely absent from
SEINE one meal Of the day; while the tss-
timony is that even to the best paid
working classes of Europe, they are in
the main, luxuries seldom enjoyed"
Here is one of numerous instances
given in the report:
"a saw maker, who emigrated to the
United States and afterwards returned
to Birmingham because Of his wife's
love for home, said to Mr.. King: "Ths
food is not so varied or so plentiful, and
she wants to go back to the United
States. AS for myself / always liked
Indiana better than England. / get
higher wages there. To be- sure, cloth
ing and rent are cheaper in England,
and food almost the same, only we do
not have 50 mach in England. In the
United States we have much more varied
food and more luxuries and after IL
years owned the house in which lived.
Here in England could not have saved
a penny.
Here il something that will show
what are at present the beneficial effects
of free trade in ships, now enjoyed by
England, which is commended to the
attention OF Mr.. Gibbons and to Capt.
John Goldman for his use the next time
he is Washington on business:
Consul Locke Of New Castle on-Tyne
writes that at present the industry of
shipbuilding Is at 4 standstill. During
the latter part of 1883, sadden recess
sion occurred in this trade, which up to
that time was seemingly in flourish
ing condition. The market was overdOne
and sudden collapse was the result.
With hundreds of vessels lying idle at
the docks, no new contracts could be
secured, and the builders discharged
their employees. Skilled labOrers unex-
psctsdly found themselves out Of work,
or, at least working on shert time, and
now, writes the consul, the Tyne ship
yards earn from $3.50, paid to painters,
to $3.50 paid to pattern makers and
ship carpenters, per week.
This Industry has also fallen into de-
preston at Glasgow, and its condition
is most gloomy"
There is logic about thsss solid facts
with regard to this comparison of labor,
wages and cost of living in relation to
the tariff question. that is worth a ton
Of assumption and theory. We gave the
exact wage figures in dollars and cents
from this report SEINE three months ago,
and might now make the condensed q1O-
tations given above from the pamphlet
ourselves, bat prefer to give them as
printed ia yesterdays Globe: Journal
which. although it is not friendly to
protective tariff, is independent enough
to publish the information obtained and
deductions reached by the official inquiry
alluded to-Boston Commercial bulletin.
n nar, 80 To.