The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-10-31
FARMERS! MECHANICS!
HOW AND WHY so CALLED LABOR
PROTECTION FAILS TO PROTECT.

Law MaKerS-SODDeu Dy Lne Liquor
Tranic-A Glass Party No Remedy.
Vote with the Prohibition Party.
It is hoped every farmer and wage
worker in America will read what fol-
lows. They are words of truth and So
berness.
From various sources we CLEAN the fol-
lowing facts:
According to the census of 1880, we had
over 100000 people in the United
States, and $43 ,642, 900, 900 in property
more than enough to count $500 to every
individual, or So, 900 to family.
The number of work people engaged
in American manufactures in 1880 was
2,730, 900, and they averaged less than
dollar II day. In the same year we had
| 100000 Of farmers and farm hands;
they received for their labor the average
of $3.50. Taken collectively, the great
mass of American producers received
each about S5 cents per day.
From 1860 to 1870 the wealth of the
country increased from $4,000, ,000,0 900
to $50, ,00O, 900, 900; in 1880 it amounted
to 3,642, ,O0O, 900. Yet, while in ten
years the wealth of the country nearly
doubled, the rate of wages decreased
| from an average of little more than $400
to an average of little more than $500
per annum. What share of the wealth
which labor produced has it received?
| Mr.. Mcbride, Ohio commissioner of.
labor statistics, in his speech in Spring
field on Labor Day, gave the following
statistics ON labor and capital:
| In England the average production for
each employe was $496. OF this the
laborer got 1896, and capital 5000.
| In the United States the average pro-
duction for each employe in 1880 was
$72O, of which the laborer got $346, and
capital 1914.
In England the laborer gets more than
capital; in America capital gets more
than labor. In England the laborer gets
ihree-ffths of the product; in America
| ess than one-half.
! In 1870 the number of female opera
ives was Il little over million and half;
1880, two and one-half millions. Of
children employed between ten and fif-
teen years of age, there were in 1870 $780,
1863; 1880, 1,118,35
In 1850 the wages paid to mechanics
md operatives in manufacturing indus
sries represented 23 per cent. of the val
he of the finished products of those in
! lustries. Since then the share of labor
n that product has steadily decreased
1t was 20 per cent. in 1860, IS per cent.
IN 1870, and II per cent. in 1880. The
<lf ie1,
nnquestionably show a further decline.
In the reports and statistics compiled
by the chief of the Ohio labor bureau
he states that ''the present amount of
wages annually paid does not give the
wage worker comfortable means of sup
port, and enable him to lay by even
moderate fund to meet the necessary
exigencies he is sure to encounter. That
an evil growing out of the condition is
the increase of child labor, and this can
not be prevented until the head of the
family, by his own exertion, can earn an
adequate support"
The number Of unemployed in this
country at the present time is variously
estimated at from four to five hundred
thousand. 1t is computed that every
seventh person in the land is either q
pauper or the recipient of charity.
In 1880 the criminal classes in New
York numbered 250,000, and while the
population of the state increased during
the last ten years "a per cent, crime in
creased So per cent.
The census of 1880 states that five mil
lions Of our people over 10 years of age
cannot read and six and one-quarter mil
lions cannot write.
.Two-ffths of the voters in the United
States are directly engaged in agricult-
ure, and the other three-fifths are as di.
rectly interested in the welfare of the
agriculturist Four-fifths of the taxes
of the nation are paid by tho farmer,
and our interests extend to every county
and township.
Has his wealth increased in just pro-
portion? No; far from it. In 1850 he
owned 70 per cent. of the property of the
United States; in 1880 33 per cent, and
it is almost certain that the census OF.
1890 will reduce that to Is or 20 per
cent. Has he been relieved Of proper
tionate share Of taxes? All, no. In 1860
he paid so per cent. and in 1885 so per
cent; that is one blessing he enjoys un-
molested.
In 1850 the total estimated valuation
of property in the United States was
81, 1876, 100000, which was assessed for
taxation at So, ,024, ,OOO, ,0OO,. while in 1880
it was valued at $43, ,643. 900, 900 and tax
ed at SIG, ,9O2, 600. 900, of which, in both
instances, land paid fully 80 per cent,
leaving the necessary inference that
banking, railroad and corporate wealth
generally must have evaded taxation.
And people wonder at the general
dissatisfaction and restlessness of labor
while the country is so prosperousl
| What are you going to do about itS
Before answering study few more
facts.
BY the last census the total banking
capital of the United States was $717,-
100000 The workingman gulps down
the value of all the banks in nine
months.
The value of all the mines was 81 ,100,-
100000 In fourteen months that value
disappears down the workmans throat
in strong drink.
The mills and factories cost $4,0O0,-
100000 In four years and two months
the toilers consume that sum in liquor
The railroads in 1880 have cost to con-
struct and equip $500, 100000. But
even that colossal sum slips down the
liquor laved throats of laborers in three
innuthS Lass than al v uaoru