The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-16
Prosperity ana Prices.

Democratic newspapers throughout
the country are beginning to line UP for
the campaign In an appeal to the pro-
ducers and workingmen in general
which needs to be compared with their
arguments TO the same audience In 1899.
We rear now that rising prices do not
bring good times. II has to be admit
ted that business In good and employ
ment easy to obtain at wages far above
the average. To offset this the parti-
sans declare that the laborer IL no bet
ter on. because the prices Of the COM
modities which ne uses have SO advanc-
ed that his earnings will purchase no
more satisfaction of his needs than they
did formerly. Therefore the conclusion
Is drawn that he has not profted by the
policies which have SO stimulated III
Industries: and the Inference. we sup
Democratic ticket and bring back hard
times and universal depression.
puELEit nc W kuS i0Ats, VI CDuTSS tuurG
who reason in his fashion are entirely
and wilifuiiy in the wrong The I'M
proved condition OF labor Ia not a the
oretical speculation. but an absolute
truth. II In told In the comparative fig
ures OF wages ind prices. The commodi-
ties whose market value has been en-
HANGED no largely are only to a small ex-
tent those that enter into the daily life
or the workingman. The Iaborer on the
farm or In the factory nds the surplus
of earning over expenditure proportion
ally as great rs does the capitalist. Good
times have touched all members OF the
community alike. In addition to this
individual benefit there Ia the complete
revolution In the relation between de-
mand and supply In the labor market.
when the Democratic party was last
IN power. millions OF men able and anx-
Gus to work were out OF employment.
II mattered nothing TO them how cheap
" o and clothing could be purchased,
n they had no work ana no wages. An
article costing one dollar 10 as hope
lessly out OF reach a. oue That costs
Ave II the man who d.sires - purchase
has no means n has sxhaastsd his
credit. To this must D. added the de-
plorable condition Of the workers who
were stiii nominally employed. This mills
IN which they we're carried on the rolls
were compelled to shut down during a
considerable portion of the year; and
the face value OF their wages a to
b. scaled down by the long periods Of
enforced idieness when. though nom.-
naliy employed. they were earning moth
MS. This was the condition of more
man bal of the employees OF manufae-
turing interests throughout the ooun-
try
Aside. however. from It's intrinsic falls
hy. which we have exposed. the present
position of the Democrats who appeal
&C. the labor vote on the ground that
higher prices 10 not Indicate prosperity
Il the climax of impudencs when We
compare q with the whole theory en-
which the campaign Of 1896 was fought.
Tho sole argument OF the Bryanites was
hat falling prices are the curse Of a
country. The one contention with which
they supported the free silver pcsltion
was that u would raise prices thus
rs,er~ prosperity. Prices. they said. de.
pend on money volume. By reason OF a
refusal 10 admit silver "a unlimited coin,
age privileges the amouu of money
of redemption a been cut IN two. -
Only by frye coinags could this condl-
tion be changed ana prices advanced