The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-29

president? First. panic far worse
than that of 1893 and 1891. and, second.
low tariff law worse than that OF
lSga-9T
1t Is conceded by all that the terri.
bic conditions which overlook the
farmers and wortlngmen in the period
of 1S93-9T were due either to a finan-
cial panic or the low tariff. or both,
and there can be no doubt that the
election of Mr.. BRYAN would be follow
cd by both panic and a low tariff In
quick succession and each OF them
more radical and pore dangerous than
those of that well remembered occa-
sion.
Now let us see what was the effect
upon the workingman of the panic
(whatever It's cause) of 1893 and the
tariff law of 1894 in the few cases
where 1t can be accurately measured
ard thus determine in some degree
what would be the effect of a similar
but more extreme condition of this
kind in 1902
First. The deposits, chiefly by work.
irgmen, in savings banks. fell off in
the single year 1894 by $4,000 ,0OO as
shown by the official reports of the
comptroller of the currency.
second. The number of railway en-
ployes fell in 1894, almost 100000 be-
low that of 1892, as shown by the of.
fetal reports of the Interstate Com
mcrce commission.
Third. The coal miners of the coun-
try averaged 223 working days per an
num in 1891 and by 1894 had dropped
to lis working days per annum.
reduction Of over 20 per cent. in the
earnings of those who still obtained
employment, to say nothing of the
thousands who were without occupa-
ton of any kind.
Fourth. The production of pig iron.
which measures the employment of
millions of workingmen in all grades
Of the iron industry. fell from 9.157, 900
tons in 1892 to 6,657,0Oo tons in 1894.
= reduction of q per cent, while the
wages of those who were still en-.
ployed We're also greatly reduced.
Fifth. A census of go great manu-
featuring establishments Of the coun.
try recently taken shows the wages
paid by them in each year from 1880
to 1899. and in this census It is found
that the aggregate amount of wages
paid fell from s53,619,OOo in 1892 to
SAC, 500, 900 in 1894, reduction Of "a per
cent. in two years time.
Sixth. The report of the Massachu
earnings Of employees Of 4,397 represen-
tative manufacturing establishments
fell off s22OOO,O0O in 1898 and 1894, as
compared with the year 1892
Seventh. Reports of the Wisconsin
labor bureau show that the earnings
of the persons employed in the leading
manufacturing establishments in that
state fell from SOS, 900 in 1892 to
$21 400, 600 in 1894. a reduction Of nearly
90 per cent.
Eighth. Reports of the Pennsylva-
MIA labor bureau show that the earn.
ings of persons employed in 1858 iden-
tical establishments. representing AZ
industries were, in 1892. $67.5O5,oOO, and
in 1894 We're $45, ,459, 900. decrease of
over 80 per cent.
Ninth. The report of the New York
labor bureau shows that the earnings
OF employees in 66 leading manufacture
ing establishments in that state were
for the wear ending May 81, 1898. $1l,-
100000 and in the following year We're
$S,24G.00O, a reduction of 26 per cent.
in one year.
These accurate and official state.
mnnts show an average of 25 per cent.
reduction in the earnings of working
men in 1884 as compared with 1892.
Do the wage earners and farmers
want the return of the Democratic
days of depression?