The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-05-10
AMERICAN WORKMEN.
Their Superiority to tho Laborcr of
Other Nations ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Qualities of Success.

- -
Other Nations Acknowledgements
Qualities of Success.
Louisville Courier Journal: The SUI
perlority OF the American workingman
to the laborer OF other nations has long
been conceded by intelligent foreign
observers. The qualities which gave
our arms such complete and speedy
success In the war with Spain. elevate
Ing the nation at once to the highest
plane of foreign estimation. were no
new acquisitions. They were the same
characteristics that have been displayed
in the practical walks of life. The
American workman long ago stamped
himself MS being the most intelligent,
industrious and jealous artisan In the
world. American commerce ard Indus
try are bottomed upon such sturdy
characteristics OF the labor they employ
that II is no wonder the nation is such
n leader In the trade and manufacture
Ing Of the world.
The superiority of the American me-
chan!c has long been understood by
manufacturers and political economists
as more than enough to make up for
what advantages other nations derive
from low rates OF wages. The highest
priced labor In the world Is the cheap
est producer. as Is easily proved in the
manufacture OF steel and machinery.
This Is so plain that no thinker ever re-
cards It necessary TO protect our indus
tries by tariffs.
Mr.. Walter Dixon, one OF the best
known engineers OF Glasgow, has been
travelling In America, and recently gave
some Impressions of American industry
In a paper read before the west OF
Scotland Iron and Steel Institute, in
1t he paid the following tribute to the
American. workingmnn:
II have been intimately connected
with large numbers Of our workmen for
the past twenty years or more, and
talked labor questions over. with many
classes In America. and have come to
the conclusion that. Just as our own
men. generally speaking, are bent on
doing as little as possible In q given
time, the American workman Is bent
on doing as much rs possible. While
individually outside work and often at
his work the British workingman Is all
that we could Wish. and such as was
bound to place our country In the fore
front OF the Industrial countries OF the
world, he has. from many causes,
(Which we know OF and which he knows
OF for many years past come to con-
slider that the main question in his life
!s-how much is he going to get for the
time he spends at his work or at the
workshop. with little regard as to what
ne is going to give in return.
The American artisan earns more
wages than our own, but he does more
work and thus often produces at a
cheaper cost. and 1t must be obvious
that II we Gre to maintain our position
one Of the greatest needs OF this coun-
try Is that It shall be able to get an
honest days labor for an honest days
pay. II our labor leaders would put
their energies In this direction they
would find ample scope, and II they
could induce their well drilled battal-
Ions to fall Into line they would not find
the wage question such serious one
as It Is now. and theF might secure a
spell OF prosperity to the country which
can't possibly be maintained Indefinite
~ under the present artificial, iniquit-
ous. ,demoral!zed and demoralizing sys-
tenn.
Such commentator as this and COM
ing from such q high source. Is to be
appreciated even more greatly than the
praises avished upon our army and
navy. Wars are but for n day. while the
struggle for bread goes on forever. II
we have brought to this contest the
qualities which Insure success, II Is n
matter worthy Of more pride than that
We have smitten the Spaatards hip and
thigh and have demonstrated cur valor
and military skill on land and water for
a hundred years