Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-10-01
Totals. .sl62, 32s, $50 SOS, SIC, 3O2
MORE EoPLE GIVEN WORK.

MORE EoPLE GIVEN WORK.
Now, what are the facts here1 Sim
ply this: Under protective tariff the
employees in these three important in
dustries are receiving about S62, ESQ, 900
per annum more wages than in 1880.
But, says the free trader: There are
more persons employed" That is true.
In 1880 these industries employed $780,
43S persona, and in 1890 they employed
4S8, S04 persons. Thus we see that in
the decade the protective policy which
the Democratic platform pronounces "a
fraud and robbery" has given employ
ment, in only three industries, to LIZ, 500
additional employees
RELATIVE INCREASE IN WAGES.
Turning again to the wage table the
results are still more satisfactory. Not
only have wages increased actually, but
relatively. That is, the 1852, 900, 900
received in 1890 was 23.1l per cent.
more wages per capita than the $685.
00O, 900 received in 1880. The percent
age of increase in annual wages per
capita has been 1926 per cent. in the
wooden industry, 1913 per cent. in the
cotton industry, and 32.49 per cent. in
the silk il, lustry. These are facts that
cannot be discounted to any great extent
by the explanations given above. Some
thing should undoubtedly be allowed for
the higher grade of workmanship, but
this will not help the free trader much.
The methods in gathering the statistics
of textile industries in 1890 were identi-
cal with those of 1880. Practically the
same men did the work. No change in
classification, admitting moro industries,
as in some other branches of manufac-
turing, was made.
THE WAGES OF MINERS.
Few people realize that what is true
IN respect of manufacturing Is equally
true of the mining industries. The num-
Der of persons employed in all the min
eral industries in 1880 was 231, 709; in
1890 this number had reached 636, 419,
an increase of 175 per cent. How about
the miners wages' Ii our fiscal system
admitted of this increase in numbers
employed we ought to be thankful.
Wages, however, have increased at
still greater rate, namely, 235 per cent.
Instead of 1912 per hand employed, old
and young, as in 1880, the eleventh
census will show that in 1890 this greatly
increased number of employees each and
every one took home with them Saturday
night rs their weeks earnings twenty
two per cent. more cash for their six
days labor. l. IS, indeed, microscopic
work to hunt around for arguments to
weaken these facts To the unbiased
mind they come with great force and
will play no inconsiderabIe part in the
campaign.
MUCH CoRRoBoRATED EVIDENCE.
Nor will it do to question the general
tendency to an increase of wages when
sustained by so many independent inves-
legations. For example, l have hereto
fore referred to the Senate Finance Com
mittee inquiry which contains the testl-
mony presumably impartially gathered
that has not been weakened bv contra
dictory facts and figures from the other
side. Then we have had Commissioner
Peck report. From this report it APP
pears that there was a net increase in
wages of S6,377, 925.09 in the year
1891, as compared with the amount paid
in 1890, and net increase of produc-
ton of $31, 315, 100. 69 in tine year 1891
over that of 1890. A simple analysis of
this table further demonstrates the in-
teresting fact that of the sixty-seven in
dustries covered seventy-seven per cert.
of them show an increase either of the
wages or product, or both, and that
there were no less than SO, III instances
of individual increases of wages during
the same year.
Here we have q witness from the other
side, presumably an honest man and
careful statisticlan, appointed to his
present position by the leading free
trader of the country, ex-Presdent
Cleveland. Not that the census figures
require Mr.. Peck's Endorsement or sup
port. Still it must be reassuring to the
doubling Thomases that the disclosures
of Independent statistical bureaus are as
startingly satisfactory as those of the
census-at least to protectionists. There
has been talk tina. Mr.. Peck's report had
some political significance, This is nom
sense. The statistician intrusted to col
lect data vino would doctor them to fit a
theory or for partisan purposes is no bet
ter than the Judge who would use the
judicial machinery for the same ends.
Such charges cannot be sustained. We
may all have our notions, both il
economies and in politics, but the facts
must remain unchalienged.