Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1892-10-06


had studied for three years in Germany
he ought TO know. I said that | was
well aware that the workingman does
live cheaper N Europe for the simple
reason that be has to. 1t is surprising
how little we can live on when we are
compelled to. But l maintain that liv-
ing in the same way the workingman' $
living is absolutely cheaper here than
in Europe. The professor said be
would frankly admit that living in the
same way the living is cheaper in
America, but that workmen have accus-
toned themselves to the European way
of living and thus get along.
OF course we were right on the
ground. We could enquire into the
price of goods there, and we were not
unfamiliar with prices here.
All admit that flour. meat butter,
eggs, cheese, in fact almost every staple
article of food. except fish. are cheaper
here. Tea, coffee and sugar are cheaper
here. Most European countries tax or
impose heavy duties on these articles.
Even free-trade England puts a tariff
of about cents pei pound o. eoffo9
and II cents on tea, consequently tea
and coffee cost more in England than
here. Sugar comes into England free,
and it is as cheap there as here. But
Norway, for instance, has had tariff
of about cents per pound on sugar.
Germany produces a large amount of
sugar out taxes the industry heavily,
YET refunds the tax aud something
more on sugar that is exported, so that
Englishmen and Americans actcalb
buy German sugar as cheaply or
cheaper than the Germans themselves
bny II.
Cotton clothes are as cheap here as
they are anywhere in Europe, and
cheaper than they average there, and
the worklngman and great numbers
who are not workingmen use cotton
clothing very largely. Bedding, an inn
poitan' ~ u, IS quite generally of cot
ton. Many even well 10 do people use
cotton flannel underwear, and as for
clothes to work, in those of cotton are
absolutely stronger and more ecobomi-
cal for every body.
But even in plain and substantial
wooden cloths there is not great differ
ence in price. Working people usually
manage to either themselves make up
the garments tor the family or have 1t
done in some less expensive way than
gong to fashionable tailor. Hence
the worker will clothe himself anu tam
lily very nearly as cheaply here as he
viii in Europe. tits certainly true that
fine and fashionable clothes made by
fashionable tailor cost somewhat more
here than in Europe.
AS to house rent, it is generally
cheaper in Europe. But in Amtrica
many workingmen buy lots and build
their own houses. A house built of
wood costs absolutely less to build here
because lumber is so much cheaper,
while stone and brick houses cost more
here. A wolkingman will have to LAY
some what higher rent for the same
in New York than in
a large city in Europe. But in smaller
towns where wooden houses can be
built it will be found that rent is no
higher here.
On the whole, living in the same way,
il will be found that the workingman
can live cheaper here Than he can in
Europe.
lnere is, however, another class that
can live cheaper in Europe than here,
wel-to-do and rich people who
employ several servants. There is no
question but that servants wages are
mucL lower there | should say, after
inquiry, that the wages Of
servant girls win average here about
four times as much as in continental
Europe 1t viii be found that those
who complain 50 much Of greater costs
Of living here are such as employ serv
ants. I'll very rare that people with
means come here. They have no bus
mess here, and if once in awhile Que
with money does come be is almost
invariably homesick.
While on the subject Of prices may
IS well touch upon the price Of agricu,-
tutaI implements Free traders have
asserted again and again that American
manufacturers Of agricultural machin
cry sell their products cheaper IN
Europe than they DO here such asser
{ 3us have been made even 10 congress.
So far rom this being true, the Euro
psan farmer has T. pay from ! > to 80
per cent more for instance, self bind