Morning journal and courier., 1892-07-12

The General Elections - The Real
Condition of the Working Glasses
in Great Britain-The Labor Ques-
ton the Main Issue in the Battle
of the Ballots.
LONDON, June 90.
To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER.
For the study of social problems in
Great Britain it would be difficult to
choose more favorable time than that af-
forded during a general election. The
in the tug of war. France had tremen-
dous military force in 1870. So at least
she was led to believe; but in 1871, after
her struggle with Prussia, she knew bet
ter. On the same principle, such battle
of the ballots as is now imminent in Eng
land is calculated to show, in a stronger
and truer light than the same facts could
be brought out in any other situation,
what is the real condition of the working
classes in this country. Under the old re-
gime this would not have been 30. 1t is
not very long since elections for the So
called House of Commons were the exclu-
sive diversion of the titled and wealthy.
Parliamentary seats were carried about in
the pockets of the great landowners, and
doled out at election times like so many
aristocratic tips to their own retainers.
But 1t is different now. In these days the
masses take hand in this business. The
battle of the ballots is battle of the peo-
pie for their rights. 1t is hardly what
might be called a fair and square battle,
for in this country one man is not as good
as another even yet. Spite of repeated
extensions of the franchise, there are still
thousands of worthy toilers who for one
reason or another have no vote, while, on
the other hand, many thousands who are
not toilers, and some of whom, alas, are
not very worthy. have several votes. New
ertheless, this is substantially the day of
the people in this land, and the pending
contest is, to large extent, battle of the
masses against the classes. It is time,
beyond all others, when the workingman
comes to the front to air his grievances
and to demand his rights. Consequently,
1t is capital time to find out what is the
British workman's true condition and how
he compares in his material and social
surroundings with the daily toiler in the
United States.
From a careful study of what is going
on we are forced to conclude that the real
question in this contest is the labor ques.
ton. In different sense from that ordi-
narily intended by the words, it is a cam
paign for home rule; or rather, reducing
it to its last analysis, 1t ia a campaign fol
| the home itself-the workingmsn's home.
Better dwellings, better pay, better santa
~ conditions, fewer hours, better protec.
tion in law, better prospects for old age
after q life of honorable teil-these ART
the Issues 90 far as the masses are con.
cerned. The British workman Just now Il
almost desperate, as he may well be, in hii
demand that a chance shall be afforded
| him to accomplish three most reasonable
| objects: to earn decent livelihood, to live
| in q decent habitation, and to save him
self in advanced life from the awful dis
grace of the poorhouse. How very serious
| be is in the demand he makes for thes.
striking manner by the attitude toward
him of those now asking for his suffrsges
II straws show which way the wind blows
10, Just as surely. do politicians always
know which way the wind blows. Every
body now is the friend of the working
man. Between the platforms of the two
parties there 10 no choice; and as regards
this issue there is hardly any choice be
tween individual candidates If their owl
protestations amount to anything. Tt
the workingman himself the situation
must be embarrassing In the extreme
To be courted 80 effusively by Tory ant
Liberal alike is new experience, and ",
cannot wonder that many, from modest,
or in sheer perplexity, ara turning from
/! beth these fSi. ehsrnsss h candidates D