People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-09-02

y
bread out of another mans mouth?
Don't delude yourself with cheap
arguments, but try to put yourself in
these mems places, and think whether
you would be willing to have your
wages lowered that millionaries might
build more castles out of the profits on
your labor. Think if you would
be willing to change the time
of contract at the order of your en-
ployer, knowing that the change would
be to your disadvantage? When your
employers business was prosperous,
when his profits were so large that he
refused to make them public, would
you think it right for him to lower
your wages? Would you think it right
for the government TO help him lower
your wages? What would you think
Of the men who should come and try
to take your place? Do you not see
that they would be working for capital
and against the interests of all labor?
That they would be enemies to laborP
That they would be deserters from the
camp Of labor?
How long would it take you to earn
a million dollars?
If you earned 300 per month, and
worked twelve months in the year, it
would take you more than 416 years of
constant labor to earn 81, 100000
If you earned 500 per month, it
would take you over 1888 years of steady
labor fyou earned $50 per month, it
would take you 1868 years to earn
million dollars After supporting your
family out of your wages, how long
would it take you to save a million dol
lars?
Do you think wages are too high,
when the profits on your labor make
millionaires Of your employers?
Farmers are as much interested in
this question of wages as other labor
ers. The capitalist who lowers wages
takes out of the farmers pocket-book,
besides taking food and clothes from
the laborer. When wages are high
times are yood Laborers are able to
buy and use what their families need.
This makes a better market for the
farmers produce and the merchants
goods A better market means better
prices and more comforts il the house
of the farmer
The unnecessary reduction OF wages
is crime against the nation and should
be so considered, because it strikes a
blow at the welfare of the people as a
whole. OAK
1t not only decreases the home COM
forts of the laborers themselves, but it
also decreases the income and home
comforts of the farmers, the grocers,
the Merchants Of the nation. Every
farmer has moneyed interest in the
outcome of every strike. Other condi-
tons remaining the same, the better
wages the laborer receives the better
prices the farmer will receive for his
produce.
Capital says to the laborers who
have worked out its fortune: Get out
of the way! We want cheaper men,"
and calls on the government to aid it
in its efforts to replace its old work.
ingmen by new The government
responds to its call and practically
says to the workingmen: IF you try
to prevent other men from taking
your places, we will shoot you" in
stead Of saying: Settle this matter
between you. You must arbitrate.
These workingmen have rights which
the government is bound TO respect"
But let US suppose another case.
Business is still prosperous. The en-
ployer is making large profits, and the
workingmen feel that their wages
should be increased that they NAV
build homes They demand higher
wages. The employer refuses, and
threatens to bring in other men to take
their places They call upon the gov
eminent TO protect their property,
which is their situations. Will the gov
eminent hasten to their aid? VIII the
government say to the capitalist: 'If
you bring men here to take these mems
work from them (which is their prop
ertyl we will shoot you?"