Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-12
CHEAP LABOR NOT DESIRABLE.
The Practical Importance OF skilled
Labor-Some Telling statistics.

To the Editor of the Dispatch:
Now that the voice of the boomer is no
longer heard in the land, and we have time
TO count the cost of the mistakes and I'M
sustained enthusiasm of last year. we may
take our reckonings and note how far VIZ
gina has advanced in real DEVELOPMENT.
These three significant facts: Tho millions
of dollars that have been invested in town
lots have not come from the North or our
own wealthy men. but mainly from the
accumulations of the labor and economy
of the people now jim straitened clrcum-
stances. and the most serious effect In TINS
reaction lies in the fact that the first coura-
geous venture of our own people ends IN
disappointment or disaster. Second. There
ia but little evidence Of any distinct
plan of development. Confidence was
placed in the character or the prominence
of officers rather than in merit OF
have been built are largely without
skilled labor or carrying capital. l think,
considering the suffering that has result
ed, we ought to study the causes OF these
unfortunate conditions, and as tar as pos
sible avert farther loss or turn the lesson
to our advantage. The premises or the
projectors were generally correct. We
have ore and coal and climate and trans
portation facilities that give Us immediate
advantage. lWo tSctulihi tulu VIC INN
skilled workmen and capital. IL IL eSti-
mated that the works now about CON-
pleted in the Great Valley will require TO-
600 trained hands To carry their pro-
ducts will require many millions OF bank
ing capital. Without these We may have
vacant houses, silent factories, and posi-
bly deserted towns. There Is no alterna-
tive. For this emergency we must import
and borrow at whatever cost. And yet
We have the best labor in the world stand
ing comparatively idle. We could, from
among the sons of our farmers and
laborers, send 100 900 stalwart men into
factories without seriously affecting other
operations. They work now at *l0 per
month. We must import skilled workmen
at SEQ per month to supplantthem. Penn
sylyania did not import men or capital.
The sons of Quaker farmers went from the
plough to the forge and wrought the Key
stone OF the industrial arch OF the GEN.
fury. This is the best of all WAYS OF de-
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and mills that grow
from the bottom. cities that grow from the
centre, artisans that come from appren-
tices, capital that accumulates. Ii Is true,
moreover, that the development OF Penn
sylvania was slow, that she built less In the
first half century than We have IN the last
five years, and there was time for the ac-
quirement OF haudicraft from apprentice
ship and imitation. Besides this our ira
ditions and traits inherited do not suggest
mechanical pursuits. and yet it 10 cheaper.
quicker, and more patriotic to educate l00,-
600 young men than to import them. Ihave
urged before and with Congress the i'm.
portance of industrial schools, and
although o bill that I prepared re-
CURED $4,000 year for each congress
sional district, IL was reported favornbly
by the commitsees OF both houses, and
Was oulI dsteated b. The lAssnsas Of The