The record-union., 1899-05-29
aoyA, sAkNe powoea co., nsw yoA,

evitably be the destruction of every
business and trade, and the demolition
of civilization. There is no business,
trade or calling that does not depend
directly upon the common laborer for
its existence. 1t is, therefore, no dem
agogism to say that the true mobility
of civilization and progress is labor.
In saying this do not decry against
wealth, except where wealth seeks to
usurp all claims to respectability, and
monopolize all the fruits of comfort and
happiness that ought to result from
riches. When wealth-the creature of
labor-assumes to be master of it's crea-
tor, and the creator becomes subserv-
lent to such assumption, then the la
borer is entering on the downward
trend to abject slavery and subjugation.
That we are approaching such state
does not seem to be altogether the
views of chronic pessimiSts 1t is too
often the case that employers of men
free born men-men who are the peers
of all other men in the rights of citi-
nship-aSsume to own them, body and
soul, simply because they give them
employment. The employer and the
employed both seem to forget that the
favor granted is not solely on the part
Of the employer They do not seem to
remember that in most instances the
laborer furnishes both labor and capt.
tai in advance for the business of the
employer.
1t is almost the universal custom in
large concerns, where great numbers of
men are employed, that the wage work
er advances to his employers business
at least a months labor and boards
himself before he receives his wages.
If it should be found that the labor thus
advanced is not worth more to the en-
ployer than the stipulated wage, he will
not be retained in the service. I do not
know of any instances where the en-
ployer reverses this rule and pays the
stipulated wage in advance of the SER
vice rendered by the employe. Taking
this view of conditions, it looks as
though the laborer occupied the posi-
ton of both capitalist and producer
OF course there are reasons why these
conditions exist There are reasons
why labor has grown to feel subserv-
lent to wealth Labor saving machin-
cry and appliances and long hours of
employment, and the employment of
women. children and servile laborers.
whose habits and customs are more fru-
gal than is consistent with high bred
Americanism, has caused labor to seek
employment, instead Of employment
seeking labor.
The evils of this condition of things
have been to a. certain extent minimized
by the employment of thousands of
men as soldiers in the Spanish war and
the conditions resulting therefrom and
the extra demands of various kinds re-
sulting from the war. But these extra
ordinary conditions cannot last much
longer. Peace will be restored again.
some day, and those who have been en-
ployed by reason of multiplied demands
will be thrown back upon the labor
market, and must do something or suf-
fer. What viii they do?
Even now, with the unusual avenues
OF employment open. and the extra de-
mand for labor in harvesting the crops
OF fruit and grain, men are compelled
to accept wages Of but 81 per day for
from fourteen to sixteen hours of toll
what opportunities have men for edu-
eating families and giving them requi-
site training fitting them for refined
society upon S26 per month, and not
even steady employment at that?
But. Mr.. Editor, I realize that I am
encroaching too much on your space
for one article, and will close by saving
that l hope to see this question discuss
ed by men of thought and discernment.
and its solution made practical. I must
admit that the outlook for labor in the
future looks gloomy to my forecast of
the situation; but there may be some
way to avert the evil consequences that
to my pessimistic mind looks inevitable
before the lapse of many years.
SILAS PENRY.
Sacramento Cal Nav 2S 1890