The Labor enquirer., 1886-02-06
This Right Should be Exercised
by individuals as Well
as Corporations.
The Condition Of the Workers as
Depicted by Thomas
B. Stuart,
Before the Social League-What a
Lawyer and Legislator Thinks Of
a Corrupt Government.

llyered the Following ADDRESS before tne
Denver Branch of the Rocky Mountain
Social League, on Sunday evening, Jan
uary 81:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: The wrongs
that give rise to the Socialistic ordera are
recognized and must be admitted by all
men. But how these wrongs shall be
righted in quite another and different
question. -
By philosophical truth, wherever g
barrier exists against labor it ought to
be removed, And such governmental
principles adopted as in their natural
workings evolve protection to the classes
that cannot protect themselves. 1t is
| the lower bricks in the wall of the
national structure that we should be
careful tc protect from the influences
that lead to and cause nationel decay.
Let us now proceed to investigate the
condition of the producing classes in
this nation, and ascertain if there is any
disease that needs treatment.
1t has been correctly estimated that
every head of family by working three
hours per day, can in this country accu-
mulate enough to keep himself and fam
lily comfortably. This leaves the pro-
duct of at least five hours per day as a
surplus. But while this is true it was
shown by the census of 1880 that out of
55,000,O00 of a population, we only have
100000 who are producers and out Of
these 100000 there are 100000 who
receive only $500 per year for what they
produce. .,s
I will invite you to 60 with me little
further into the census reports, and
allow me to premise by saying first that
my figures are not absolutely correct, as
I have frequently thrown out fractions,
and second. that when we take into con-
sideration that the manufacturer is not
apt to tell any stronger story against
himself than he Is compelled to, we shall
be fully able to draw just conclusion
from what we have. Again it Is well to
say that these figures cover one year
1850. The factories in this country are
not compelled to run more than two
thirds of the time to supply the market,
but it is nevertheless necessary for the
wage worker to live 1856 on what he
earns in that time.
In the manufacture of boots and shoes
the wage workers make on an average
$1.05 per dav The value of their pro-
dnct was $196,s2O,481. After paying for
all materials used and for the labor en-
ployed, the manufacturer had left
$50, 1858, 1872, or nearly57 per cent on the
capital they had invested.
In bread and baking products, the
wage workers made on an average 81 124
per day. The capitalists, after paying
for labor and material, cleared $13,8O1,-
54l, or over 72 per cent on their capital
invested.
In carpentering, the wage workers re-
ceived on an average $1.31 per dav. The
capitalists controlling the work, after
paying for all material and the wages
due the workingmen, cleared $17 ,94S ,942,
or over 81 per cent on the capital they
had invested.
In the manufacture of mems clothing
the wage worker received on an average
7S cents per day Ia large proportion be-
ing females). The manufacturer, after
paying for all material and all wages,
cleared S32, PA, 1926, or little over 40 per
cent on the capital he had invested.
In the manufacture of women's cloth
Ing the wage worker received on an av-
erage 72 cents per day. And the manu-
facturer, after paying all wages and for
all material, cleared $5,784.562, or over
70 per cent on the capital he had in
| vested. Here the great majority of the
laborers are females.
In the manufacturer of fire works the
wage workers received on an average
81 cents per day. The manufacturer
after paying for all material and wages
cleared 1884, 1856, or over 81 per cent on
the capital he had invested.
In foundries and machine shops the
wage workers received ON an average
$l.25 per day. After paying all wages
and for all material, the capitalist re-
ceiyed 45,O51 ,252, or % per cent on the
capital he had invested. 1t must be
born in mind that these plants only run
from one half to two-thirds of the time
and the amounts invested in capital are
very large.
In the manufacture of jewelry the
wage workers received an average oi
$1.37 per day, and the manufacturer
made AZ per cent on the capital invested
clear of all expense.
In the manufacture lead bar, pipe and
shot. the wage worker received at the
rate of sl.51 per day, and the manufac.
turer cleared 49, per cent on his capital
invested.
Ip the manufacture of planed lumber
the wage worker received on an average
l.$L08 per day, and after paving all
wages and for material the capitalist
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