Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-10-14

ME sce t4ft sS4t Pfo11fIye 4oof n14
tnss claim - reasonable share In this IN
crsase Of prosp<fisys . claim that msy
properly take the form Of enlarged wages.
We have been pleased TO see that labor
organizations. gensrsity, al over the coun-
try have evinesd no disposition Ia the basi-
/. ness misfoftunes that have dasksned the
country In the past few months, 70 shrink
from their jass share Of tie losses that have
resulted from the tigtstnsss Of money mar
ksss, the difficulty Of COLLECTIONS, and the
/ Tremendous shrinkass In the soinme Of has.
mess. They have very generally recog-
nixed the fact that employers we're no, able
nader the circumstances. TO pay the same
wages that obtained In the bright days OF
Republican prosperity.
! Not being fally acquainted with the facts
vs are not In . position 10 say which sids ia
ia the night, In the trouble that has oe-
cured ia the WOODEN mills ., Providence.
/ We DO kns~, however. that owing to the
uncertainty, which the attitude Of
the Democratic party upon the tariff
| q zestion has thrown arouad this in
dustry, IL has been far from being in a
hoursshins condition during the past few
aionths. Many mills. al over the country
have closed others have been working
along with smaller forces and reduced time
Of labor. II, therefore, the mills st provi-
Ienee, have found it necessary, in order to
continue business, TO reduce the wages Of
employees, il would no. be At all surprisr Z
or unexpected. Ths hard times that the
democratic party has brought upon thu
country have made reduction of wages,
growing out Of business necessities, an al
most everyday occurrence.
II manufacturing enterprises are not
earning enough money to pay the old rate
81 wages. that was in vogue in the prosper
aus times Of Republican rule, then they
must either shut down or reduce wages.
Une thing il absolutely certain, no Arm can
pay ts employees more money for their ser
vices. than its net earnings will warrant.
When it comes TO the question OF taking
from capital everything in order that the
old rates may be maintained, then reduc-
tons or shut downs are inevitable. Men do
not inves, their money in business enter
pfises for fun, and when they cannot con-
time business at profit, they will not con-
tiuue il al all, unless they wish to invite
bankruptcy.
These principles that underlie the pro-
iuctive system, are very generally recog-
| nized and accepted by the labor organiza-
tons Of the country and to this fact 10 due,
In no small degree, their success In secur-
log the good will and sympathy Of the
American people.
/ 1t is certainly TO be hoped that the Demo-
cratic party may be prevailed upon to take
| some action for the relief of the country
When business starts up again, and stains
A prosperous basis, when orders are plenty
money markets easy and collections prompt,
then the working people Of the country
whose wages have been reduced as result
OF the hard times, may justly ask that they.
too, shall have their just share Of this in
crease OF prosperity, and we believe that
they will not fail to secure it.
Under the wise operation OF a protective
policy. with its magnificent attending pros
perity the wages of the people of the United
States went steadily up, and at the time
when the Democratic party precipitated the
present period Of financial distrust and bus
mess depression mon the country, its
people were receiving more for their
Industry. were working less hours, were
| enjoying more of the comforts and luxurie.
of life, than they ever had before in the
history of this country; and in these happy
conditions all well disposed citizens could
heartily rejoice.
The workers Of nation are its bone and
| sinew Whatever elevstes them and makes
| their condition more prosperous, secures
1 TO them in greater degree. the advantage 8
of education and of every day comforts
AMI enjoyments, contributes to the happi-
mes, and prosperity of the whole nation
/ Those communities are the most progres-
| .ive and most prosperous. where labor is
the best paid. and enjoys the steadiest enl-
| ployment.
| While this is true 1t is also true that cspi-
tai, and oft times large capital, is necessary
to inaugurste and carry forward enterprises
which afford opportunities for labor to find
employment; and not only is capital neees-
sary, but brains of high order are essen
tial to the success Of any great business
enterprise. Not everyone is competent to
organize and direct to the best advantage,
the industrial forces, and often we have
been prone to underestimate the great i'm
portance of the genius that directs, of the
busy brain that plans while others sleep. to
| carry the responsibilities and direct the en-
ergies of great business organic atoms.
| Frequently, under the conditions that OBJ
tain 10 the industrial life of this country,
the capital involved in great enter
prise represents the investment of the
hsrd-earned savings Of large num-
Der Of people. They have been
drawn into the arena of productive
enterprise, because of the confidence re-
posed in the integrity and ability of those to
whom they have been intrusted.
| Some months ago the writer stood in the
busy workshop Of y large establishment in
| New Jersey, where hundreds of well paid
workmeu were busily employed construct
ing machines of a large variety. all of hich
were the inventions o, the proprietor of the
establishment. This man started years be
| fore a. q workmsn in a machine shop, and
BY his magnificent mechanical genius,
has not only brought himself in
| TO the front rank of modern inventors, but
has opened aeld for the employment Of
engaged in putting into material form, the
products of bis thought.
Add so it is everywhere. The physical
world must 20 hand in hand with the intel
lecsusl. Brains are - surely required in
the generating Of the iniust'isI forces IS in
any other department Of human effort.
Labor can never become in the highest de-
gree productive, unisss it be intellisently
directed. It 10 not just. therefore. 10 cousid-
e-ing the forces that achieve results, to en-
deavor to ignore or deprive of proper credit.
| A..-, lrstitt