Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-05-10
Brl,,tn1tt Gltrnltirlr.
THURSDAY. MAY 10. 1883.
CRISIS IN THE AFFAIRS OF LABOR.

bill proposes reduction of 40 per cent
in the tariff on iron and steel axles. The
Mills bill may never become law, and
the danger which threatens the axle
making industry may be averted, but
until the fate of that measure is settled
the axle manufacturers are doing business
in great doubt and uncertainty as to the
future. Their customers, with the Mills
bill also in view, decline to contract OF
purchase except at considerably reduced
prices, and the manufacturers are un-
willing to take the risk of piling up
stock at the present cost of labor and
materials.
In this condition of affairs in any in
dustry what is the logical and inevitable
result? Why, reduction of wages OF
suspension of work, of course. In the
industry under consideration the inev-
liable has already happened. The pro-
priet jrs of one of the largest manufactO-
ries of the kind in Pennsylvania have
notified their employees that owing to a
marked falling off in demand a large
reduction in wages must be conceded or
the works must close. The same kind
cf notice has been served in other
manufactures of iron and wooden goods,
and the production of coke, which is a
barometrical index of the condition of
the iron market, has almost suspended.
A general demand throughout the cOun-
try for a 25 to so per cent. reduction of
wages is only prevented by the hope of
manufacturers that the Mills bill, or
anything like it, cannot be passed. And
vet it is true that the vote in the House
on the measure is to-day estimated as
only two to five majority against it,
while the Republicans have only ma
jority of two in the Senate.
Whether workingmen as a rule real
ize it or not, there is serious crisis ex-
isting in their affairs at this time. The
labor market is in highly sensitive
condition owing to Democratic attacks
upon the high wages tariff. The Dem
ocratic party, which denies the doctrine
that the markets of the country belong
to the labor of the country, is sparing no
efforts to pull down the tariff barrier
that keeps back the flood of foreign
and destroy the employment of Ameri-
can wOrkingmen. Capital, quick to per-
ceive and take alright, is already alarm
ed and taking measures for its own pro
lection. The passage of the Mills bill,
or even a general belief that it would
pass, would precipitate large reduction
of wages all along the line or suspen-
sion of employment. A situation that
is menacing indeed confronts the work
ingmen of this country. Their only de-
fenSe is the ballot-used to elect Re-
publican President and members of
Congress this fall. Let us hope the in
dustrial crash may not come before the
remedy can be applied.
WOOL GROWERS FOR TAYLOR.
Quaker City Guernsey Co.. Independent
An Independent man few days ago
met Hon. w. n. Cowden, Secretary of
the Ohio Wool Growers Association,
who has been in Washington City for
some time by appointment of the Nation
al Association, looking after legislation
affecting the wool interests, and had a
pleasant chat with him about matters
and things generally at the National
Capitol. In'reply to the question as to
the prospect of the restoration of the
wool tariff, Mr.. Cowden said: at is
claimed that the same vote that viii
kill the Mills bill, will restore the tariff
of '67, but that depends on contingen-
cieS which may arise so as to render
restoration uncertain. We however feel
confident that the bill putting wool on
the free list will not pass, but can not
tell vet what we can get instead of free
wool. There are no particular cOmbi-
nations now at work in Congress in ia
vor of free wool, except that the House
was organized with that in view. Wool
seems to be the pivotal point, and when
a man is right on that, he is usually
right on every other economic question:"
"How about Col Taylor?" was asked.
His relations with the New England
manufacturers, with whom he is init
mately acquainted and with whom he is
daily associated, make him an Invaluable
member just at this particular juncture in
the history of legislation affecting the
his industry, ability and pleasing ad-
dress, combine to make him member
whom the wool growers cannot afford
to lose until the industry is restored to
its old time prosperity. AS an instance
of his perseverance, | refer to the Con
gressiOnGl Record in which our petitions, |
which, through his determined PEI sever
ance against much opposition, were
printed entire.
"You think he should be renomina-
ted?' "Yes, certainly, since this is a
Republican district, and for many rea-
sons. 1t requires two or three terms to |
learn the rules so as to be of service in |
legislation. New England and the South |
long ago learned this fact and have had |
more than their relative strength in shap- |
ing the legislation of the country. Ohio |
should learn the same lesson. All her |
present members except three are serv-
ing on their second term, and these
three have more influence in shaping |
legislation than all the other eighteen |
combined. l have no doubt that Col. !
TAYLOR would be of more use to his dis
trict in third term than he has been in
the last two terms. While | don't ex-
pect to vote for him, unless the Demo-
Gratis are more insane on tariff matters
than 1 think they will be, yet l want to
see the Republicans nominate and elect
him."
ELI THAYER is not satisfied with Sen
altar Hoar's Marietta Grafton, and takes
pains to tell about Detroit, Kaskaskia
and Vincennes, saying:
"Detroit was founded in 1888, and
was the Capital of Upper Canada until
the close of the Revolutionary War.
Vincennes, the seat of Government of
the Northwest Territory, and before
that, while owned by England, the Cap
ital of all the country between the lakes