davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-30
FACTS FOR THE FARMER
WAGES AND PRICES TEN YEARS AGO
AND NOW.

What the Farmer Paid for Machinery.
Groceries. and Hardware i'm 1SSO-Prices
for Farm Products Then and Now-Work-
ingmen's Wages-Some Plain, Cold Facts.
[From the Fort Dodge Ia Messenger.l
We are very far from affirming or believing
that our social order Is perfect. There Is much
inequality aud Injustice i'm the distribution of
burdens and rewards. But tho important ques-
tion is whether matters are growing better or
worse Are the rich growing richer aud the poor
poorer? Are the trusts and monOpolies of which
we read so much making life harder for the man
who works by the day or the month, and for the
farmer who must sell his produce in competition
with the world? Are the inequalities OF life be-
coming greater? Are the poor more in the power
of the rich than formerly? Is A. true that none
OF the increased production of civilization goes
20 labor? These are the living questions.
PRICES IN 1880 COMPARED WITH 1890
What better method of determining these
questions is there than to compare the present
with the past in cold heuresp DO the wages OF
the nottingham buy more or better food, clothes,
comforts and luxuries now than formerly, or do
they not? IL not, then is IL true that no is not
getting any benefits from the development of the
age2 But IL we find general reduction i'm the
cost of what he has TO buy IL is evident that he
as being benefited by the increased production.
We have accordingly appealsd 20 one NOR
chant in each line of trade in Fort Dodge for II
comparative statement OF his retail prices now
and in 1850. We have chosen the year 1880 Tor
comparison instead of one more distant be-
cause wish To show the comparatively recent
reductions IL 1870 on 1860 had been chosen the
comparison on all manufactured articles would
OF course have shown much greater reductions.
We have endeavored 10 procure n strictly fair
statement, requesting that care be taken 10
compare articles OF the same grade and, IL pos
sible, Of the same brand, ana 10 give the cash
price in each case. There sometimes SO
many grades OF the same article that some con-
fusion may arise unless IL is borne in mind that
the 1880 aud 1880 prices giyon are one ana the
same grade In some cases where there are
many makes and grades and prices it is more
intelligible 10 give the per cent OF reduction
on all
FARM IMPLEMENTS.
Let us take up the case OF the farmer first, ms
be is the largest factor in the Iowa asitation OF
this problem. There have boen sreat fortunes
made in the manufacture OF farm implements,
and much talk of combines, and exorbitant
profits. Let see whether the millionaires
have been able 20 absorb all the benefits of IN
ve1tive skill and large production in these i'm
saIat
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-30
A PigeOn.Shooier.

Balkins and Aplin were discussing
pigeons when Balkins said:
I've got the finest lot of pigeons in
town"
YES" replied Aplin, "and / came
very nearly shooting one this morning
l was standing in my yard with my
rifle when one flew over"
"You couldn't have hit him."
I'll bet could"
"Tell you what I'll do, said Balkins
Name it."
I'll let you shoot at my pigeons all
day and agree to give you all you kill
flying with rifle; provided that you
give me ten dollars for every ten that
you miss"
I'll go you"
Lets draw up the contract in writ
ing
All right"
The contract was drawn up. The
noxt day Aplin killed thirty pigeons
without missing shot. With an air
of triumph he sought Balkins.
"See what / have done?"
ayes" replied Balkins. "but you
have not complied with the contract,
and therefore owe me thirty dollars. :"
How the deuce do YOU make that :"
Easy enough. This contract says
that You must shoot pigeons flying
with rife"
well, and have"
ooh, no, for you never saw my
pigeons flying with rifle. They do
not even fly with pistols"
The dispute will be settled by the
courts. -ArkdnsaD TrdUeler.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-30

even these are pulled" by the police with
becoming regularity. Every saloon is
promptly closed at IL o'clock. On Sun
day business of all Kinds is entirely sus-
pended. and for a saloonkeeper to open
his shop, only TO air il out, is sure
death-to his license. The city on Sab
bath morning resembles New England
village. Pennsylvania avenue is deserted
until church time, when men, women,
and children. with prayer books in hand
are seen hurryipg TO the various places
OF worship. Everything is as quiet and
subducd as funeral. There is no other
city in the world that can compare with
Washington in its quiet nights and
peaceful Sabbaths.
Tho Dolph smelling committee. ap-
pointed TO investigate the secret session
leakage, made a report recommending
severe measures to compel reporters to
divulge the source of their information
as to the happenings of executive ses-
sions. The Senate refused to entertain
the recommendation and the committee
was discharged. Several of the newspa-
per boys who appeared before the COM
mittee early in the session, and who re-
fused to testify, were discharged at the
same time and walked up to the financial
clerks office and drew 1854 salary. Th3
committee desired to punish them fo
contempt so could not discharge them.
Some of the reporters who drew witness
fees for one day are kicking themselves
for not doing likewise.
-
There is quite pretty little romance
connected with the marriage of Congress-
man John Nj. Wiley, of New York, and
Miss Cooper. of Indianapolis, which took
place the other day. Miss Cooper was
visiting in Washington when Mr.. Wiley
hrst met her, being introduced in hotel
parlor by the late Thomas A. Hendricks.
He fell desperately in love with her, and,
it is claimed by intimate friends, pro-
posed for her hand the next day. She
laughed ut him and told him he would for
get all about it in a little while. One year
from that time he proposed again. and
again met with refusal. Three or four years
rolled around regularly, and as regularly
would he ask her TO marry him. His final
success is testified by the recent wedding
One of the Congressman's friends asked
him IL the above story is true and he
laughingly replied Well l have kept
pretty close track of her for some time,
and L confess for time l was afraid
she'd get away"
BY unanimous vote last week, Con-
gress accepted the handsome statue of
General Grant, presented by the Grand
Army Of the Republic, and it will be
placed in conspicuous place in Statu-
airy Hall. The statue was paid for by
voluntary contributions, in small sums,
from veterans and their families.
JAMES c. Moody
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-30
Wayside Thoughts.

Freedom is lost with too much respon-
sibility and seriousness.
Talk always brightcns MP with the
addition of fresh cracking stick to
the fire.
A man had better be silent IL he can
only say to-day what he will stand by
tomorrow.
1t is the most difficult thing In the
wol Id to reconcile religious associations
with the real or artificial ,losms 81 socias
life
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-30
Edible Flowers.

1t is related of a Boston woman tina
once. while she was living in the country
abroad, IN spot where the markets wey,
extremely unreliable, she was one daI
sNrprlsei by the arrival of several guestl
near the dinner hour. IL CHANGED, as il
usually does in such cases. that on tha
especial day her larJer was more thar
commonly bare, and she had little to sci
before her guests. Her wit helped hel
out. however Tie locusts were in full
bloom, and selecting n number Of the
finest clusters she hal them dipped il
batter and then fried in boiling oil. Tn,
dish was not only an ornamental one. the
shape of toe clusters being not unlik,
that of grapes, but it proved very palata
BILE as we'll, and il il was not very sub
stantial it went no inconsiderabe wy
toward giving the appearance of solidity
TO the somewhat scanty dinner.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-30

A FLATTERER is said to be beast
who biteth smiling. But it is hard to
know them from friends, they are so OBJ
sequious and full of protestation; for a
wolf resembles dog, so doth a fiat
terer n friend.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-30

COMPLIMENTS which we think are de-
served we accept only as debts, with
indifference; but those which con-
science informs us we do not merit we
receive with the same gratitude that
we do favors given away.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-30

Worsted dress goods. 100 rs
Iaces and embroideries. slsl per cent. reduc-
silks and vslyets. p TO s3,s pr cent reduction
Carpets, 25 10 33'5 per cent. reduction.
General reduction on stock OF dry-goods store
- 10 80 per cent.
On clothing comparative figures can not 20
given because qualities vary. There has been
however since 1850 n general reduction on ready
made clothing ranging nom 20 TO 90 per cent,
and there has been decided Improvement In the
stability OF reedymade clothins par OF
lasts in everyday hard labor for months. Good
seryiceable suits eau be had for ~ 20 $40. II Is
the universal opinion OF all familiar with tho
trade that the Tariff cuts no ilgure Whatever In
tho cost OF such goods rs laboripg men ana
farmers wear Tor common. such goods are as
cheap here as i'm England. The tarin gets IN us
wolk on tn dress suits aud all fine goods, just
as the Republican party intel ds IL shall.
BOOTS AID SHOES.
Inventive genius has accomplished wonders
In the boot and shoe business since the village
shoemaker took orders Tor the footwear OF the
neighborhood. Great progress had been made
in tho manufacture OF footwear 10y machinery
prior TO 1880, but are net Dealing with tnat
time now The average reduction in the retail
price OF footwear since 1880 IL 33ii per cent. 30
All of the benefits OF improved methods in tho
production OF Shoes have not by any means been
absorbed by the manufactures.
WATCHES, CLOCKS, AND JEwELRY.
The old-time matchmaker has gone 70 join
tho old-time shoemaker. Who gets the-beneht
OF inventive genius there? The silver watch
which retalled in 1880 at so now retails at Sl2.
The set OF knives and forks sold in 1850 at 80
now retals ut -. Everything in the store has
suffered from 33l5 to 80 per cent. reduction No
gobbling up of all the benefits OF improved
methods there.
FURNITURE.
The retail prices OF furniture have suffered a
reduction ranging since 1889 OF from % 10 90 per
cent. A half dozen wooden chairs such as sell
now for So sold then at n. 50 TO -. Bedsteads
sold now at 81 rs and $3.50, sold then at "a and
S6. The cut is heavy ON all articles, but most
ON the machine-made articles. The big manu-
faoturers of furniture have not been able To alb
sorb all tho benefits of improved methods. IL
should be borne i'm mind in this connection that
the raw material of which furniture is made
has not decreased in prlce, nor have the wages
OF laborers in the factories been reduced.
LUMBER.
At the first thought one would not expect
much reduction in lumber since 1850. Standing
pine costs more now than thon but inventive
genius lhas been making the saw mills more
productive, and the mill-owners have failed 20
hold all the benefits for themselves. Freight
rates are also lower. Prices compare as follows
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-30
e clip from the M.ss, niger of April >, 1880
FonT DoDaE, April !, 1850.

We submit 10 the candid f0rmer whether, with
his bountiful yield OF last year, an his implt-
ments, barb wire, an supplies OF oil kinds ro-
duced "a above, he ia not I'm better relations
prices on produce as above aud his supplies at
the old figure.
And now what aboat the mechanic and labor
ms man. Is II not n fact undispuled that Dor
of every kind is ~ we'll paid nov as Ina lSs02
As rule in the cities, labor "a constantly aght-
ing for betterment of it's condition and COLI
stantly gaining som sthing eli her an increase IN
wages or shorter hours. Ne need not 80 into
details, and have not space here. Mr.. Edward
Atkinson, the well-known statistioian OF Massa-
chusotts, tells vs. thai since 1sdj the wages OF
skilled workmen have advanced 1Os per cent /;
OF average mechanics % per cent OF factory
operatives rs per cent, and Of common la
borers 60 Per cent. We can not say what pro-
portion of this has been wop since 1851 but
We know tina. tho woriingInen ~ this country
were never moro abort 10 their interests
than they are to-day. and that taeir movement
for loss hours Of labor and better pay never has
comma 1do1 the interesi and the sympathy that
90 commands TODAY Tho Morknglnen OF Amer
aud that means DO n that they deserve more and
they know how 10 get more The workingman
is winning ON both stles Of the question MORO
hours 10 himself and better wages on one side
aud cheaper living on tho other side. IL Is
doubly false then TO assert that the develop
ment OF the age Is not bsnefting the working-
man.
We prefaced this article by saying that e vas
not intended as TN argument 20 prove that shore
are no wrOnCf In our social sv,te1n rs IL eyf.ta
aud we close It with the same protest. We
have souIht only TO silence The alarinist not 20
discourass honest thought. Tho world Is far
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-30

CURE ron CUTs.-There is nothing
better for a cut than powdered resin
Pound it until fine and put in an empt,
clean pepper-box with a perforated
top; then YOU can easily sift it out or
the cut, and put soft cloth around
the injured member, and wet it with
cold water once in a while. 1t viii
prevent inflammation and soreness.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-30

Pocket and Table cutlery reduced one-haf.
We are told that might have gone on
through the whole stock OF n hardware store
with similar results, but the above were selected
at random from day-book in use I'm the spring
of 1881 and is doubt fair ilu stration of how
prices i'm hardware compare now with prices ten
years ago.
There has been good deal OF talk OF trusts
AMI high prices and monOpolies created by the
tariff in hardware goods, but they do not APP
pear 20 prevent gCo1 share ut least, Of the
benefits resulting from improved methods and
increased production rom reaching the con-
sumer.
GROCERIES,
Everybody is interested directly in the price
of groceries. And The best known and most sue
cessful trusts I'm this country are upon articles
which come under this head sugar and sro-
eene This is the place then. waere we are to
find the benefits OF Increased production and
modern methods all abs1rbol by rich and cruel
mOnOpOlies.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-30

MANY q man is ready to raise an OBJ
jnction who couldn't raise a cent.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-30
THE NATIONS CAPITAL.
WASHINGTON VIEWED FROM A NOR
AL STANDPOINT.

A City Where There L. No Gambling or
Sabbath breaking - Electing Senators
by tho People'-san Randalrs Religious
Bciiof-Congre ssman wiiey's Little iso-
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-30

A CONTEMPORARY advocates sparrow
pie. The sparer the better for health
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-30

Teas, 20 per cent reduction.
Tobacco, IS per cent. reduction.
Here is n surprise. Ths products of the two
great trusts, sugar and oil show quite ~
great reduction as anything. Is IL possible.
after all, thas the assertion IA true that 70
achieve any permanent success trust must
sell It's products for less than private manufac-
turcrs and make its money out of the economics
possible in large production under one manage
inent? One thing il certain, viz. That the
consumers of oil and sugar getting them
for much less than ten years ago.
DRY GOODS.
In dry goods we find the same downward range
Of prices showing that the benefits OF labor
saving machines and large production go 20 all
consumers. Here are n few figures:
1880. 1900
Unblcncbed muslin, per yard. . % .O6
Ialfc
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-30
Harrows generally reduced one-half.
lnI-,- n 81 lnn.a n,-nllnnl nnD hnlf


Harrows generally reduced one-half.
CoTn-shellers reduced one-half.
The above are the principal implements in
common use. The reduction in their cost TO tue
farmer since 1880 runs from 80 To so per cent
And the machinery is nado better than before.
1t should not be strang3 II with these grea
reductions in the cost of arm implements, and
with farming land free TO settlers, there was an
enormous increase in the production of farm
staples frCm 1881 to 1879 and n shrinkage in
prices Furthermore, has not the wOrkiugman
who labors in the factory whore these imple
ments are made n legitimate right 10 look for
some benefits % himself from these great labor
savers which he sees go out TO the fields OF pro-
duction? Does not the very principle for which
our estive friends are contendng deman / that
the benefits Of cheaper farm implements shall
not be all absorbed by h farmer, but that
they shall reach all of the consumers OF farm
produce?
HARDWARE.
The stock OF n hardware store caa almost be
classified as farm implements and we Will eS-
anime hardware next. At the top OF the list We
place barb wire its cons sumption Il wholly
by the farmers. Our farmer friends viii hardly
be able 10 realize TINT ten years ago they were
paying 10 cents pound for barb wire. But we
know they were for we have examined the
charges upon the books OF one OF the best firms
In Fort Dodge All OF the prices here were pro-
cured by examining the books OF the firm for
1850.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-30

W 40 IT ~ u w ~ pm = EV"''
There is, after ALL TO be some agitation
of the subject OF the election OF United
states Senators by direct vote OF the peo-
pie during this session of Congress-.
Senator Mitchell, OF Oregon, has devel-
oped into q champion of n move in this
ERECTION. and on last Monday addressed
the Senate in a lengthy argument in favor
OF constitutional amendment providing
for the selo ct,on of members of the upper
branch of Congress by majority vote of
the people Of each State.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-30

HARNESS
Harness costs but little less than ten wears
ago This is because most harness is made by
hand and the labor Is as great as ever. IN all
machine made goods here are considerable re-
auctions.
The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1890-07-05
The Fourth of July at Ely.

The programme outlined for the
celebration of the Fourth of July was
carried out in detail by the several
committees having charge of the affair
Taylor, Monitor Mill and Duck Creek
sent large delegations to join the
people here in celebrating the nations
holiday.
At II NJ. the people had gathered
at the pavilion, when J. b. William
son, as master of ceremonies, opened
the exercises by calling the assem-
blage to order. The Red, White and
Blue" was rendered by the school
children, with organ accompaniment,
in very clever manner, which called
forth hearty applause from the audi
ence. Major Treece read the Declar-
laration OF Independence in loud,
clear voice that merited and received
the applause of his hearers. Mr.
Wilson's grafton had many points OF
merit that called forth the hearty
plaudlts of his audience, though its
delivery would no doubt have been
much smoother if indoors instead OF
IN the open air.
The "big eat followed the literary
exercises, and proved toothsome re-
past. Dancing in the pavilion was
next in order and constituted the
afternoons enjoyment.
The fireworks in tie evening were
not up the standard of past years
Taken altogether, Ely's celebration of
the Hath anniversary of American In
dependence passed off pleasantly with
our people and our guests who were
within our gates.
The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1890-07-05
The state Must pay.

The decision of the Supreme Court
last week settles the question in re-
gard TO the State paying the expresses
of the counties which we're incurred
in the special election of February,
1889. The State will have to pay and
1t is probably right in law that It
should, although as a matter Of even
handed justice the counties whose
representatives voted for the lottery
scheme ought to foot, not only their
own bills but also those of other
counties, which had no hand in en-
failing such expense upon the peo-
pie. Reno Journal
The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1890-07-05
The Curnow Case.

The Supreme Court has affirmed the
decision and rulings of Judge Fitz-
gerald of the District Court, in the
Curnow case. The Curnows were in
dicted for murder IN Eureka county
The death of the victim occurred some
months after he was wounded by the
Curnows, and the question having
been raised at the trial as to whether
his death was due to his wounds or
other causes, the jury found them
guilty of assault with intent to kill,
and Judge Fitzgerald sentenced them
to States prison.
The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1890-07-05
The Peacock.

Later reports from this property
since our recent visit-are more fiat
tering. In sinking the shaft they
passed through few feet of almost
barren zone, after which the ledge
matter showed up stronger and richer
than near the surface. The Peacock,
at this writing, looks well and prom
ises to become one of richest mines
ever discovered in Eastern Nevada.
There is nothing of ''now you see it,
and now you DON'T about the Pea
cock. It's surface and working indi-
cations point as truly to big mine
as the needle does to the pole.
The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1890-07-05
Has Faith in the Camp.

\. L Tyler (the Red Wagon mani
is showing his faith in Robinson Dis
,rict by his works. Last winter he in
vested some 81 800 in acquiring an
interest ia several outside mines,
which from the amount of work done
on them promise big returns in the
future. This week he purchased a
500-faot interest in the Cricket mine
from Miss Sadie Watson and Andrew
Mitchell and a half interest in the
Highway mine from Willie Watson.
Both mines are on the mineral belt,
with AS promising prospects as any in
the district. Mr.. Tyler has let con-
tract to run a l00-foot tunnel Axe
Oh his latest purchase-Thc Cricket.
The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1890-07-05
OsCEOLA.
What the Gravel Mining Company
Are Doing

The Salt Lake Tribune of June oath
has the following regarding our
neighboring camp:
Prof. George w. Maynard and w.
S. Godbe arrived Sunday from Phoebe
and Osceola, completely worn out
with the fatigue and loss of sleep IN
cident to stage and railroad travel.
When asked by Tribune reporter
about Osceola, Prof. Maynard gave
some interesting particulars of the
operations of the Osceola Gravel Com
pany, OF which he is manger. 1t will
be remembered by readers of the
Tribune that the one ditch originally
planned and built by the company
did not furnish ample water, and it
was proposed to construct another
ditch and flume to bring water from
another and larger stream. Prof.
Maynard among his friends in New
York raised over $3.50, 900 for the pur-
pose, and during the past year work
has been going steadily onward in
construction. A canal has been dug
and fully flumed eighteen and quar-.
ter miles to carry $500 inches water.
Last week water was running through
ten miles, 10 where there is a break
to be fiumed, and below that water
was in three miles and half more of
the canal. BY July LIST the fiuming
will have been completed, and the
three big monitors will be throwing
streams on the gravel banks. Two
monitors have been running for some
time by the old ditch, doing good
work. These monitors are seven and
a half-inch nozZles. Work is contin-
uous day and night. The company
have a 4000-candle power electric
light plant to aid in night work. No
clean-ups will be made till the end of
the season. Some of the boxes re-
quired little changing, and in max
ing the changes a small amount of
gold was taken out and shipped.
The company have good reasons TO
feel confident of excellent results in
their operations.