Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-27

mgUon, 20 use MS Own 4Au8ud88 ~ ~
interview In the Intelligencer. The
Register moves to amend this observa-i
ton by striking out the word we and
substituting they" making it read
THEY are busy lot in Washington, !"
for surely the Commissioner doesn't in
clude his personal political labors in
West Virginia as portion Of his ar
duous duties in Washington. Still there
are assistants and head clerks and I'M
der clerks galore in his department
who do all the work of the Office any
way, and these doubtless can get along
first class with Mr.. Scott in West Vir-
ginia on a midsummer fishing expedi-
ton after the Senatorship.
Commissioner Scott takes rosy view
of the situation and especially of his
own prospects. He says the people are
satisfied, everything is lovely and the
prosperity goose hangs high DER the
land. All of which he vouches for as
the solemn truth and as reason why
the people of this State should this fall
elect legislature that will send him
to the United States Senate, where he
would cut a most imposing figure.
We hate to dispel this lovely pipe
dream of the would-be Senator, but the
truth compels us to take exception to
his assertions regarding business pros
perity, the welfare Of the people in
general and labor in particular.
The war has been the cause of a
little-a very interviewing up in
business, which would otherwise be
dead, and in view of the fact that
our brave soldiers and sailors are
suffering and dying at the front, this
is hardly fit subject of congratula-
,tion-a false and unnatural business
squirt and at such a cost, being unde-
sirable. But where is this prosperity
which Mr.. Scott pretends to see among
the people and labor? No one has
seen any of it around these diggin'S.
OL tiC SOiCi gu y, S'Oi oAiASS IAO 49,
ident, to whom Mr. Scott is under such
deep obligation, took the oath of Of
flee business has been dull and get
ting duller, while not only in and
about Wheeling, but all over the
country, and in almost every branch
of trade and especially manufacture,
nd ri
and lOckouts and clashes between en-
ployer and employee have been the
rule This is not the fault of employ
ers here or anywhere else. When an
employer is not making money but is
steadily drifting toward loss, there are
but two things for him to do; cut
down expenses or shut up shop. AS
the chief expense of manufacturing Is
labor, naturally labor is the first to
suffer when it comes to cutting down
expenses. This is not the employers
fault; it being the only alternative he
has in nine cases out of ten to closing
up his business entirely, which would
be even worse for labor. 1t is the con-
dition of trade that is to blame. The
employer would doubtless be glad to
pay good wages-for good wages in
sure good service-but in unprosperous
times this can't be done. So it is
now, instead of prosperity we have
deadly dullness and constantly falling
wages, which is the worst sign of all
for labor is the great buyer, and when
it is forced to economic, or has no
money to buy with, then the products
of the manufacturer are thrown back
upon his hands and stagnation re-
suits in all branches of business as at
present.
If Mr.. Scott does not know this truth
he has but to look about and talk to
a few of the business men and manu-
facturers. But the chances are Mr..
Scott is fully aware of the situation
and has these pipe-dreams for use
only in his political organ to help along
that other pipe-dream, his Senatorial
boom.