The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-10-11

to vote with Republicans on the dues-
tions at issue. But the measures have
all been passed by Republican con-
crosses, and by Overwhelming majori-
ties Of Republican votes, What is very
significant is that every vote against
any OF the last four measures. which
yield in Importance to none Of the 9TH
ers, was Democratic.
AZ the proof Of a pudding is In the
eatiug, so the test of law is in the ex-
ecuuon, These and similar laws have
been passed by Republican congresses
with the design Of improving the re-
munera,ion and the condition Of the
producers OF wealth. 1t Is worth while
10 see whether the wage Garner has
been helped. We have at present space
only to give a hasty summary Of the
history Of the purchasing value OF wag-
es under Democratic and Republican
administrations. which one comparison
Though no others were obtainable)
should forever deter laboring man
from casting a Democratic vote.
In order to make such a comparison
it is necessary to select the average
quotations for one year and use them
as basis Of comparison, The year
1860 represents a period in our indus
trial development between the old
methods before the war and the Inn
proved methods Of more recent years,
and for this reason it is taken as the
basis. The average prices, the average
wages. and the resulting purchasing
power Of wages are each coDsidered as
100. and the figures Of prior and sub
.seQuent years are expressed as per-
.centages OF the same. According to the
series Of relative prices and wages
thus obtained, and shown in a govern
merit report. 1t is found that there was
a slight downward tendency in wages
and purchasing power from 1S4O to 1860.
During the five-year period Of 1860 to
1865. the average prices Of ninety COM
mcdities rose 1911 FER cent above those
Of 1860, but wages rose only 4S1 per
cent. while the purchasing power Of
wages dropped 431 per cent. During
the next FIVE years. or after the war.
prices fell on 5s.S per cent above 1860,
while wages rose to 62.2 per cent above
that basis. Then came the five years.
1865, which included the panic of 1873
and the demonstration Of silver. re-
ferred to by the Democrats as the
great crime" Prices continued to fall
until 1875, when they were only S6.7 per
cent above the 1860 basis, wages as
cended until they reached 67.1 per cent
above that year, and then dropped to
5s.4 per cent in 1875. but the purchasing
power Of wages continued its upward
course until it reached 15.9 above 1860.
Their came the five years which includ-
ed the Bland-AIlison Act. The effect
of this silver coinage is clearly shown
by the rise in prices and the drop in
the relative purchasing power Of wages.
Prices rose 92.1 per cent in 1879 to
1l5.5 per cent above the 1860 basis in
1880 while the purchasing power fell
from 1919 per cent to 145 per cent
above the 1860 basis. In 1882 prices re-
sumed their downward tendency. wages
continued to rise and the period from
that year until 1898 was the most pros
porous that has ever been experienced
in our country's history. Then came
Cleveland's administration and tariff
reform" with the shutting down Of in
dustries and the consequent army Of
unemployed. Wages fell at once and
continued to fall steadily during each
year Of the Democratic regime. Prices
at first remained stationary and then
continued their downward course, so
that for those who retained their en-
ployment during the panic following
Cleveland's tariff reform" the effect
was not so strongly felt. but for the
millions who lost part or all of their
employment the period is one Of bitter
memories.
'ith Nllt iFlul u prosperity GlIutI
the Mckinley administration. the in
creased business activity naturally
caused a rise in the prices Of commo-
dities. This accounts for the upward
tendency Of prices in 1898 and 1895. But,
as We have seen, wages are always
slower to rise than prices Hence we
find that while in 1898 prices have risen
wages were still low as a result Of the
business depression during Cleveland's
administration. and we see a tempo
rary decline in the purchasing power
.. l.