Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-08-29
The Wnrkingman.


The air is resonant with talk about the
To define all who are en-
titled to that designation would be an end
less task. The Republican theories limit
his existence to factory and mining occupa-
tions, occasionally throwing in word Tor
the farm laborer as blind to their sophis-
try, the better to hide and neutralize the
effect of investigation which always exposes
their plots to be in behalf of the monopo-
lists who exact the last minute of the time
and opportunities of the laborer to the
greedy purpose of piling up unrequited
gain.
The Ford Committee of Congressional
investigation, will doubtless probe to the
bottom of the labor interests of the native
born and naturalized citizens who are en-
titled to proper consideration and whose
chief officially in realizing steady employ
ment at remunerative wages comes from i'm
migration systematically introduced and
brought to the United States by the monop-
olists engaged in conducting operations
which, under the high protective laws,
really amount to the prohibition of compe-
tition. The fabrics produced cost the con-
sumner, of which class the laboring men
themselves constitute the larger number,
from IS to 100 per cent. or more upon
just cost of production and liberal profit
Not satisfied with the accumulations under
such system, or really frauds in an equit-
able sense, allowable under the laws after
paying seemingly fair price for labor, the
monopolists are encouraging the transition
and bringing hither operatives for their
factories who are employed at lower rate
of wages than the native and long natural
lied are receiving, in order that they may
heap up additional millions to their al
ready unjust incomes-profits wrested from
what should have an equitable distribution
between capital and labor. The theory
taught by Republican politicians that the
high taxes in the shape of the enormous
tariff ON imports which was levied to meet
extraordinary expenses of the government
years ago. and that have no existence now,
should be continued to increase develop
ment is an absurdity and delusive in eff
feet. No greater harm could be visited
upon the classes of workingmen that they
are holding up as entitled to special pro-
lection. The so-called protection to them
is an abomination which inficts the griev-
GUS evils of an extravagant price for every
thing they buy and is more than protec-
ton to the monopolist who reduces the
price of their labor at his will and compels
competition between them and the hands
brought from abroad for that purpose
Congress has commenced the investigation
of the interests of our home labor, and we
shall have in authentic shape some of the
practices which certain class of employers
have inflicted upon the workingmen, and
all of that class are the most vehement ad-
vocates for continuing the oppression in
the disguise of expanding our industries. -
The New York Herald in referring to the
work of the Ford Congressional Investiga-
ting Committee in that city, which will
uOW 10 COutiuuCu do OOobOu, ooJo
'sThey have done their work in straight
forward, businesslike, intelligent Manner
They have dug up the facts concerning
some grave abuses, compelled unwilling
witnesses to tell the truth to their own dis
grace and infamy, and exposed an outrage
GUS system of induced immigration by
which thousands Of foreigners who were
earning fair living at home were per-
suaded by false promises to come to these
shores, where they have glutted the slums
of the city and half persisted of hunger and
cold.
The report of the committees proceed
| ipgs, which will in due time be submitted
to Congress, will afford that body ample
opportunity and incentive for stringent
legislation. No more important question
than this is on the carpet or is likely to be.
The laws against contract labor are founded
on the principles of sound political econo-
my. They were enacted for the purpose of
protecting the toiliDg millions who earn
their living by the sweat of their brows,
and giving them the best the country af-
fords, fair wages, chance to better their
condition, and consequent contentment and
happiness.
To allow these laws to become dead let
ter is a crime, an injury to the great ma
jority-our farmers, mechanics and skilled
laborers. That they have been evaded is
matter of common scandal, and the Ford
committee in probing the evil have done
every workingman a signal service which
he is not likely to forget"