The Indianapolis journal., 1890-08-21

convenience outweighing all consideration of
cost. The increase has 9een rom sio4,.so 10
freight cars not exported twenty years ago.
were last year exported to the value of 81 ,426,-
234. making q total of over $3.000.000.
The increase of leather and it's manufactures is
more than ten TO one. the total being $40, ,747,-
7lO. The exports of wines have also increased
over 1000 per cent Manufactures OF copper
have increased j $50 per cent, and copper ore
3O61 per cent, together making an export value
In the sashis ,h , 81
OF Europe there has been an increase OF "A per
cent. or from IS ,222 to sl0.2l2 GA: and in
iron and steel an increase OF 30 per cent, from
$40, ,ST3 $50 to $21 ,l56.lO9.
Thus, in certain manufactures, in which labor
has been double that paid by foreign competi-
tors, exports have increased beyond the advance
in population, in some cases ten twenty. even
thirty fold. This ability TO export, notwith-
standing the higher rate OF wages: is not as yet
general but the above citation of fact illustrates
the possibility, yea. the certainty of gradual en-
largement of the list, and especially the volume
skill and efficiency OF labor, and perhaps in
larger part from lab0r-savlng machines ana
processes, and from the distinctive pecullarities
and marked availability for their intended uses
in the manufactured goods. The ability TO export.
therefore, is less matter of muscle in the me-
chanic than OF inventive power and of cultivated
intellect i'm the forms and adaptations of the
thing manufactured. The higher wages may
thus be neutralized By the aid of mind far more
than muscle.
CONCLUSIONS.
An analysis Of the facts that illustrate the
standard of living in the United States leads to
the inevitable conclusion that the people, the
workers i'm all the hives of industry, the con-
structive forces of the Nation exist upon higher
plane than those of any other country. The fol-
lowing results OF this investigation are presented:
The american citlzen is free fr1m tIe ne
kingly or aristOcratic mastery, and OF The con-
troll Of caste. He is an inde pendent individual.
a sovereign in his own right, voluntarily SUBJ
IN la\y n n llnlltat1OQS
OF natural rights for the general welfare. His
aspirations are checked only by wise Judgment
life is limited only by his ability and OppOrtu-
rity. He is the master of his own career and the
maker OF his own fortune.
acknowledgements to action lead 70 activity
In effort; intense and persistent application
cause waste of tissue, OF nerve ana
necessary ss AhS for repair @9r of ''T Waste The
opuience of nature makes rich provision for the
largest alimentary hberalty. Therefore large
assured, fully so per cent. more than that Of the
average in Europe, and more than twice as
much as that OF the less favored peoples OF the
Third-The variety and abundance OF vege-
table and animal fibres, by the favor OF soil and
maraaSe than the rasse of Species and eaSe Of
cultivation OF the grains and fruits The devel-
opment Of taste and the effort to rise in socia!
life cOnspire to create an extraordinary demand
for clothing, so easy to crafty and 80 Increased
by the facility of its qualification.
Fourtil-It is natural cOrollary of these facts:
as stated heretofore, that 1.-The satisfaction or
dietetic and sartOrlal demands OF our people is
no more Imperative than the urgency OF their
requirements for home-Inaking and Ornamental
tiOn.v Liberal demands in food and clothing are
only consistent with a high appreciation of COM
Portable housing. Bed aud board are indissOlu-
bly, Joined.
Fifth-Such a scale of expenditure presup-
poses higher rate of wages, a larger income
than that OF average peoples The facts show
that average wages are from 80 to 100 per cent.
higher than those of the workmen in their sew
eral classes, OF the most favored nations. twice
as % high as the average OF certain countries, and
| Sixth-Seventy acres OF land for every farm
worker. $50 bushels OF cereals for EACH with
fruits and vegetables In equal abundance, and
markets greedy for the surplus. the farmer is in
condition to live and thrive, or know the reason
why his profits do not meet his expectations.
Seventh-The question arises. Shall the pres
,ent standard of living be maintained! 1t 10 q
point upon which hangs ''the future education,
enterprise, Independence and prosperity of the
people" of the United States. 1t depends on the
industry of the producing classes and wisdom in
the distribution of their labor for a production
that shall meet their wants. If ideness shall be
encouraged, production limited. importation en-
larged and dependence on foreign countries fos-
tered, wages will be reduced, and the ability to
purchase, as well as the volume of production,
will decline. If the advice of public and private
teachers OF repressive economy, to buy every
thing abroad and sit down in the enjoyment Of
the luxury of laziness at hOme shall become the
law of the land, short rations will follow, and
DlpQ prices Will OILY De dDatcU Dy Tie luaDllty
OF our people to purchase for consumption.
| Eighth-If, on the other hand we determine
that there shall be decline in production, agri-
cultural or Othe-, We must lnaintain it manfully
/ by our labor, realizing that no nation can live
beyond its income or consume more than IL pro-
dtices.
NiDth-Unless the largest variety Of produc-
ton shall be encouraged and the highest skill
shall be stimulated In the endeavor to meet all
the wants OF our people by the results of our
own labor, it will be impossible to have a sur
plus for export. The example OF Spain and In
dia, in contrast with that Of England and Bel
gium. of France and Germany, enforces this
conclusion. But in view OF the fact that high
wages must cO-exist with high standard OF liv-
ing, as the history of wages in all countries. can
we export surplus produced by high wagess
Our experience OF the last twenty years shows
that our exports of domestic merchandise pro-
duced by the highest wages Of the world, have
increased much faster than population. some "a
the fact of high wages, but in spite of it; not so
much by the force Of muscle. as by the creative
power of mind. The creations OF Invention in
the lines Of taste and utility, adaptation and
petition. can nullify the obstruction OF high
wages far more than adv dvance in skill and manual
deXterity. It is a matter OF time, OF determined
effort, OF high endeavOr, TO render high wages
consistent with large expectation of surplus but
the future Will accomplish it il the present scale
OF living and rate Of wages OF the American peO.
pie shall be maintained.