, 1891-05-26
MUDSILLS OF THE FAIR.
ORuOGERY AND DISEASE UNDER
MAGNIFICENT HALLS.

COiumbisn Show-A Wow of the Chi
cage observation-disclosures That Come.
Especial Correspondence
Some idea of the magnitude Of the uu-
dertaking and of the immense amount
of labor to be expended upon the Worlds
fair buildings may be obtained by a view
of the ground already broken. Stand
ing at the northern extremity of the ap-
]propriated area, near the lake shore, a
busy scene stretches to the southwark as
far as one can see. Nothing of the beauty
and grandeur of the future completed
work as the fancy might picture it is
now visible; there are only great heaps
Of earth, long trenches, tramways and
trains of carts drawn by horses, huge
dredging machines, and over and among
all throngs of human ~toilers, looking
from the distance like thousands of busy
ants. There is nothing artistic, attract
i've or inspiring in this humble beginning
of a grand civilizations %grandest enter
prise. They who engage in it delve in
dirt, mud M water, and see nothing
either beautiful or useful growing into
shape under their efforts, and have little
hope of appreciation or reward. Yet
not a stroke Of that more effective labor
involving skill and art can be given I'M
til this Indispensable work is done.
Nothing great ever yet was created
that had not its beginning, its founda-
ton, down in the humblest, darkest,
most disagreeable of conditions. Even
this old world, that has for ages been
developing slowly into a suitable home
for the human race, was once a gloomy
sphere of storms, chaotic matter, con
fusion. The race itself began far back
in a darkness and depth that science has
been powerless to penetrate; it has
climbed its way upward through cruel
ty, suffering and ignorance-the debris
and chaos Of race building-out of
which social relations and general en-
lightenment have arisen. The loveliest
statue ever evolved from an artists
brain was first dug from the earth by
unsdlled hands; the loftiest picture
could never have been perfected but for
the common toilers of the world, who
gathered the colors from the sea, from
the forests, from under ground, and pre-
pared them in disagreeaDle workshops.
The brightest thoughts come from bitter
experiences, the endurance of every day,
uninteresting sorrow, privatiOn, toll.
AAN hAAsb maj NtAbAN ItSull1 VI arr
skill and knowledge need first and fore
most of all the hard, strong hands Of
the common laborer"-the man who is
never mentioned in the summing up of
a completed work. He is absolutely es-
sential-not n foundation could be laid
without him, yet how poorly he is re-
Quilted and how little remembered Our
civilization has not yet attained a sym
metrical growth, while this most impor-
tant factor in the production of its in
dustrial wonders is so ignored. 1t is
part of the sinirch and soil of the begin
ning-the rubbish not yet cleared away
from the incomplete, social structure
When the magnificent whole lies open
to the gaze of the world in 1898, will the
common toilers who have brought into
being the conceptions of artists, archi-
tects and inventors be awarded a
thought? VIII the strength and vitality
they pour into the raw material ever be
appreciated? If not, this civilized peo-
pie should never hold another Worlds
fair until they have learned n clearer
conception of the value Of human exer-
ton.
The promoters of his great enterprise
have made a poor record SO far. HUI
man life is held very cheap, and this dis
agreeable but necessary beginning is got
out of men at an economical outlay of
money, but an -extravagant expenditure
of health, strength and life. The condi-
ton of the laborers has been and still is
deplorable. They stand in mud and
water mp to their knees, and dig in the
dirt ten hours II day. They are often
forced to labor in the rain, and never
allowed to put on their coats while at
work. They must board and sleep in
tents, where the food is poor and INSULT
cient, and the storms and rain beat in
upon them. Sickness is prevalent, and
the death rate has been appalling, though
lessened of late the public has been kept
in Ignorance of the many deaths that oc-
Cured, and all accounts of bad condi-
tions and illness smoothed over and COW
cred up. And this sort of life is endured
for $3.50 per day.
Its all they're worth" said a pomp-
Gus contractor. "They SLOUGH around
and loaf half the time"
well, smart, industrious men amt
rushing themselves down in a ditch full
of muddy water for 81. so a day. You
wouldn't do it, would your answered a
skilled workman who was waiting for a
f, job. And he was right. Good men will
not accept such employment with so lit
tie wages, or if forced for a time to do
50 will not exert themselves more than
actually obliged. 1t would pay the EN-
ployers to offer better pay for work in
volying such strainiug of muscles and
such risk of losing health or life.
n strike was inaugurated in the latter
part of April against the long hours,
poor pay and bad conditions, but it was
not successful; under the circumstances
it was impossible that it should be.
Plenty of men are always awaiting an
opportunity to work and honestly win
their bread, and any of these can handle
a shovel. Organization of unskilled
labor is as yet an unsolved problem.
Men with strong arms, able to clinch
the handle of a spade or a pickax and
capable of little beyond that, must grasp
at any chance to earn a living for them
selves and families. They cannot con-
ceive of that wise selhshness" which
teaches that combination and united
effort will ultimately improve their OPP
portunities.
The contractors and promoters of the
Worlds fair will find a different ele-
ment to deal with when skilled labor
and the trades are required. No more
consideration for human feelings and
needs will be inculcated. but they will
A. f. Roedel, the druggist, desires us
to publish the following testimonial, as he
handles the remedy and believes IL tn he