Mexico weekly ledger., 1886-06-17
Low PRICES ANp E,aH WAGES.

Low PRICES AND HIGH WAGES.
During the past fifteen years the
prices of all staple commodities.
measured in gold, have steadily fall
.en. During the same period the
wages of labor have not fallen, but,
on contrary, have slightly risen.
While the nottingham earns as much
now as he did fifteen years
ago. and a little more. he can buy
with it one half more food, fuel, and
clothing than he could then, Thus,
in effect, his wages have increased
Can this state of things be main
tanned? Judging from past exper-
fence we should say that it could not,
and that unless something unforeseen
happens. the present high rates of
wages will have to'come down.
OF course, much can be accom-
plished by the union of workingmen
against a fall in the money value Of
their labor, and, from the nature of
the case, they have every advantage
on their side. Employers hate to
incur the risk of strikers, and conse-
quently put off provoking them as
long as possible. They would rather
keep up the prices of their goods,and
thus throw the burden of high wages
upon consumers. But, under the
pressure of competition, the time will
come when this expedlent will not
answer. Somewhere else in the
world a break will occur, and the
shock will affect the whole line.
For example, steel rails are now so
low in England that they a be de-
livered, duty paid, at u Southern
marts at a less price than American
rails of the same kind. This must
inevitably reduce the price of rails
here, and, of course, lower the wages
of the workmen who make them.
In like manner hardware, cotton
and wooden cloth, and other manu-
featured articles must come down to
the level at which they ear ~proitabIy
be imported. Cheap as American
made clothing is, it will be cheaper
just so soon as clothing made in Flu.
rope can be brought here to under.
sell it. Against this competition
American tallors will struggle in vain
They will either have to accept lower
wages or go without work.
What is thus true of railmaker.
and tailors is equally true of all othel
manufacturing hands. The steady
and persistent fall in the prices o
commodities all over the world
caused by the operation of the golC
standard, is bound to tell upon al
wages alike, and bring them down tt
a common level. The trades last at
fected will be those connected will
building, because they are not di
rectly subject to foreign competition
, yet in their case the result will b
produced by the invasion of incl
from other countries and from othe
less well-paid employments. WheI
masons, carpenters, plasterers, paint
ers, plumbers, and timers are earn
ing more money than can be earne'
., in other countries or at other trades
!, the number of masons, carpenters
and so on will increase among us
until by competition among then
selves their wages cease to be NOR
attractive than those paid to othe
workmen. The process is slow, bu
/ it is sure, and it cannot be defeated
. The wise thing for workingmen t
; do is, therefore, to make the most {
{ their present high wages while the
last, and lay by as much IS possibl
+ for the hard times that are in stor
q for them. Instead of spending ever
cent that they earn as fast as the
earn it, they should practice a littl
self-denial, and put q few cents OF
of every dollar into the savings banl
This may compel them to live a lit
less comfortably now, but it will hel
them to live better by and by, an
thus make a satisfactory average.
h True TO the Best Interest OF the Distric