The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-04-18
The Spring Elections.

An Important lesson is 10 De learned IRON
the elections which have just been held,
not only III our own state, but in the cOun-
try at large. From them it is self evident
that there is spirit of unrest eXtant in the
country, and that seems to be as widespread
in the agricultural as in the manufacturing
and mechanical departments. For this
there may not be any good reason, but II
exists nevertheless, and is an economic fac
tor that must not be overlooked, and cannot
be ignored. That the questions that are
agitated will have much to do with the po-
iitcai i>sueS of the coming campaign is not
matter OF any doubt. In the election
just held party lines were practically ignor-
ed. The issue seems to have been per-
sona one, rather than a political one,
and the;e is danger that in the fall elections
questions will come to the front, and may
determine results, that cannot be settled by
legislation. but which. nevertheless, de-
mand consideration. They are mostly eco
nomic In their character, and have to do
with results, rather than with causes. The
wage earners demand change in the hours
of labor, and whether their demand is wise
or otherwise for them they seem determined
to make an issue with employers OH that
question. Ii is an admitted fact that the
prices paid in this country for skilled labor
is ia excess of that paid anywhere else in
the world. 1t Is also true that the hours of
labor are less than elsewhere. 1t is also
true that the days wages received by the
American wage Garner will buy more OF the
things which go to make up the necessaries
of life, than the days wages paid in any
other country. But can the employer con-
tinue to pay the daily wages now paid when
the hours of labor are diminished One-fifth,
and production c0rrespondingly reduced?
This is the point on which the short hour
questions turn, and Is purely business not
q political question. 1t is in fact one that
cannot be solved by legislation and therefor
one that should not in any sense be made
political. though by legislative action eight
hours may he made legal days work, as
10 hours now is, but that does not in any
way solve the question Of compensation for
the days work. That il now, and must
continue to be, business question, reguat-
ed largely by supply and demand. Yet in
some sections this spring that has been the
question on which local elections have turn
ed. In Michigan questions just as remote
as that from the legitimate political issues
have been sprung-fOr instance. the unfor-
tunate condition of the markels--so far as
tho producing classes are concerned. But
if,beneath the sun Il bushels of wheat, corn,
oats, or any other agricultural product, are
produced when only one bushel is demand
ed for the worlds consumption, the 1-5 sur
plus will demOraliZe the price of the
product 10 regulate this the farmer needs
an Increase of consumers, or decrease
of producers. or both. But this Is ques-
ton that, only to a limited extent, can be
controlled by legislation, and to the very
verge Of that limit the protective policy of
this country has been, and is now being
carried. From that policy springs diversifl-
ed industries, and just In proportion as
industries are diversified, and nation
produces within itself all that the people
need, just IN that proportion will the varied
departments be able to command, each for
itself, reasonable compensation for the
articles produced, because under this state
OF facts Oyerproducti0n in any department,
to any considerable extent, is not likely to
result. and the people are wisely giving this
question earnest thought and the result OF
their cegitations will be felt at the ballot box.
Another important fact demonstrated by
the late elections is that the producing
classes propose to be the legislative class.
They think. whether true or otherwise, that
mOn0p0listic influences control both the
legislative and judicial departments, and
parties will be wise II they note this fact
and act upon it in selecting candidates for
state aud legislative positions. Beyond
question at least 100, 900 voters of Michigan
are today in the various farmer and labor
organizations, and this vast army is being
rapidly augmented. 1t is political and an
economic force that will be felt; and If, as we
trust 1t may be, guided wisely, will do much
fol the general prosperity of the people. 1t
is also evident that the tendency of these
several organizations is toward unity of ac-
ton ON economic questions--that they have
decided convicti0ns--that they mean per-
soma! progress and the complete overthrow
of each and every monopoly, the humiliation
of every trust-the absolute control by the
government of all railroads, telegraph, tele-
phone and express companies, and that
they will not yield their convictions on these
great and momentous questions. The ques-
ton of the hour il, what heed will existing
political parties give to their demands.
That it Is an important issue the results of
the spring elections attest.