The Portland daily press., 1888-01-20

lar form respecting LHb lnuuSLtlco VI tho
State, the wages paid in different pursuits,
and the cost of living, etc. The following is
an abstract:
Wages, Living, Etc., OF Wage-work-
erS.
The following tables have been compiled
from returns made by wage-workers. A
large number Of 'workingmen's blanks"
were distributed through the mails, by per-
sonal interviews. and through members Of
labor organizations, several of whom have
manifested an interest in this branch Of the
bureau. When only about one-tenth Of the
blanks distributed have been returned,
those received and tabulated furnish valua-
BILE data on the wage question. AS has been
the case with the other bureaus, the deduc-
tions from our tables may be subjected to
criticism as reporting wages too high. Those
who make returns to bureaus Of statistics
are generally the best workmen. The aver
ages are made from the returns as furnished
to us. Inquiries of general character cor
roborate the statements made in the returns
received and show that the average Of wages
derived from our tables is not largely in ex-
cess of the general average. The wage
question is one Of the most difficult Of social
problems THE line along which capital
and labor touch is the wages system" This
"touch" may be source OF Irritation or mu-
tual advantage and satisfaction according as
wages represent fair share Of the Joint
product Of work and capital. or are arbitra-
rily fixed at.the dictation Of selfshness and
greed.
Undoubtedly, the true theory Of wages is
formulated in what is known as the system
of profit sharing. This system recognizes the
value Of labor as one Of the factors in the
work Of production. Under the crude wage
system-if system it can be called-"we ig-
more the plexus OF reasons by which wages
ought to be computed, and come to la rough
working result by paying the laborer a dol
lar and dollar and a half day. That there
are practical difficulties in the way of a
change in the wage system no candid person
will deny. That change in certain lines Of
business is possible seems TO have been de-
monstrated by experiments made in Europe
and in this country. The necessary condi-
tions are intelligence and organization
There is no natural antagonism between
capital and labor. They are partners in a
common enterprise, and as such, are mutual
ly benefited or injured according as the con-
duct of each towards the other is based on
principles of right and justice, OF the contra
ry. Evolution, though slow in its processes,
Is the only means adapted to American in
stitutions by which labor can be lifted up to
its rightful plane. The ballot, and not the
bomb, is the instrument upon which it must
rely for protection and correction of abuses.
The invention and multiplication of ma
chinery have introduced many perplexing
questions to the attention of modern polti-
cal economy. The displacement of labor,
especially Of unskilled labor, over produc-
tion. ETC., are some of the new and difficult
questions demanding consideration.
Observation and reflection prove the truth
of the doctrine of '.low prices, high wages
and small profits" The purchasing power
of dollar has been increased. If this dou-
increased savings of workingmen, it is not
that our working people are extravagant, but
that they live better than formerly. "As
the country advances In power of produc-
ton, men ought, and do grow in tastes, de-
sires and needs" Whether we visit the
home of the farmer and "well-to-do" me-
chanic the camp of the lumberman, or the
cottage of the common lab0rer, we will find
the Maine workers "bill of fare" much bet
ter and more varied than formerly. In
many respects we find Improvement in the
living Of most classes Of Maine workers.
This Improvement demands, as well as i'm
plies, better wages, and when expenses and
earnings are taken into account, Maine
stands among the first States on the wage
list.
The Commissioner has reports from los
wage earners, which disclose the following
interesting facts: