The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-10-26
OHAUTAUQUA.
ECONOMICS OF LABOR.
(RepOrt for Glass f, by j. B. r.

Among the laborers and skilled mechanics the
cry of hard times is universal Let MS review
few of the causes that lead to this evident state
of dissatisfaction, and the grounds for its exis-
tence among the grand army of workingmen.
Their complaints are many. The principal one,
however, is that their wages are too low. From
what standard must we draw our conclusions as
to the correctness of their position Oh this ques-
ton? Are they getting smaller wages to-day
than in the good old times they are wont to
refer to. when the Evolutionary goose occupied
an elevated position, beautiful in perspective,
yet within easy reach on all festive occasions?
An abundance of evidence of statistical character
proves conclusively that the average OF wages
has been higher for the last ten years in the
United States than during any other ten consec-
utive years during its existence wherein. then,
lies the ground for cOmplaint?' asks the employer.
They are better Off now than ever before. He
rests his case at that point and resumes his fig
ureS on ten per cent. cut in wages for December,
and cOmplacentiy compares the result with the eS-
tmated cost of his winters supply of coal for
home and factory. He was correct, as far as he
persIed the inject. but now about the compare
tive cost of living. then and now? The rapid adj
vancement of the Americans, intellectually and
mentally-the result of our splendid system of
universal education-has created in him many
wants that did not exist with his ancestors; yet,
these wants are not imaginary on his part nor
are they an evidence of extravaganza. They are
the natural and proper result of his advance
ment. He is but Obeying the laws of human
progress. They are inst as necessary to his intel
lectual being, to his sense of Self-reSpect as beef
and bread to sustain life find that the average
mechanic wore on his way to and from work in
those times. an outfit that cost him, on an aver
age. about SIC or SIS. while the thrifty and self
respecting mechanic of to-day wears upon his
person an outfit that has cost him $780, yet lie
needs it, every cent of it. 1t is his passport to
respectable attention; it assists him in his con-
slant endeavOrS to better his condition: it helps
him to maintain his sef-eSteem under unfavOr-
able circumstances: it helps to give him that
feeling of equality with all men that spurs him
on to higher levels. 1t nurses ambition Just as
surely as the home-Spun suit, the hob-naed
shoes and the wretched howell retarded the
moral, mental and intellectual growth of man
kind. The scant educational facilities afforded
the children of the workmen. limited the growth
and expansion of their intellectual wants to such
a degree that made all their wants and neces-
sites more easily and cheaply supplied They
were born in poverty and comparative ignorance
labOred constantly and died scarcely understand
ing the real object of life. Would that be the
proper plane upon which to found the standard
of wages? If so, burn the school houses, destroy
the newspaper, reduce or restrict the power of
the pulpit and the problem is solved. Wages
will be found to be plenty high enough for the
coming wOrkmen.