Year: 1876

In a remarkably clear, manly and mod
crate paper, under the head OF "a Plea for
the workingmen," in yesterdays issue of
the People, one Michael Hogartby, a st one
cutter, makes the following touching ap-
peal to employers:


But where the prosperity OF the men has
kept pace with the pro- perity OF the em-
expense, but to the advantage OF his en-
ployes, there, indeed, wealth will have sweet
ne s and any one shall realize the beautiful
Iich and he addeth no sorrow with it, Do not
depress the rate Of wages. To do SO Is most
Would you then mage the beautiful city of
Indianapolis prosperous and tranquil, do all
you can, not only 10 uphold, but TO raise the
black aud white, have borne the unparalleled
privations OF the last winter with mani
submission and patient end rance which
not only reflect upon them the highest h nor,
but entitle them TO the respectful considera-
tion Of their employers. To all emp oyers
would act in accordance with sound political
&C nomy, as you would act justly and Rener.
ously In the sight OF God, as you would up
hold and eKaIt your gh rious city OF Indian
apolis, do not lower the woTkingmeu's s wages.
It is quite probable that such appeals DO
good, and that this one will do much to
maintain the present price of labor in In
disnspolis. 1t may fairly be anticipated
that it will at least counterbslsDce the
evil effects Of such poisonous stuff as oc-
Casionslly appears in communistic sheets,
the sole object of which seems to be to
| irritate and exasperate employers on the
one hand, and to dissstlsfy and discourage
employees on the other. The tendency oil
such a paper is, we repeat, a good
one. 1t will address itself to the indi-
vi1usl conscience, which, in the long run
is the only forum to which an appeal Car
be made by lsbC r with any RI asonsble hope
of success. But too much must not be ex.
pected of employers. The great law o.
demand and supply is over them and ccm
pels their obedience with an iron hand.
we pay labor, at time when there is &
superabundance of it everywhere, NOR,
| than its market value, we can not hope II
successfully compete with other msnufac
turing points which work their factories a
less cost. The result Is that we soon sto,
employing any labor at al, because there Il
large rick and little or no profit In t,snd tn
last condition of the workingman becomes


worse than the first. We will mention al
il ustration which can not fail to go hom,
tO TIE author of the Peoples plea. Their,
ars hundreds, yes thousands of working
men all over the country suffering TO


work, and willing to take almost an,
wages that are offered, and yet every mar
BILE manufacturer in the country finds i


necessary to import Scotch granite monu


meuts, paying heavy frelghts and enorm
GUS duties, although we have better ma
terial in our own countryside best in tn


werld-for the purposes for which It 4


used. Why? Because labor is so mucl
cheaper in the old country that tn


work can be done there and brought her
for less money than 1t could b
done If the best material were at on
very doors ready for the stone cutter
chisel. 1t is too much to expect capital
lists to take all the risks which imperil th


most cautiously managed business in thes