THE DAILY EVENING TELEGRAPH PHILADELPHIA, FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1869.
Omtlnwd from ttte Firtt Pag .
In tbe priced of commodities, Is full alio w a lm
thefollowitur. tablet
PRICKS.
INCBSB.
ARTICLES.
Per cent.
Tnim. Jn 18G9.
i
8C0 $14 00
7 17
W
ni 28,
Si
6
1 30
tf l.r)
34 0i I
flt.0 10 00
50 10 DO
4 60 7'0'l
10 17
14 so!
17 S3 1
12'.J 16
Flonr, ppr barrel
Beet, fresh, per pouud..
Beet, cornea, pr. pou'a
Pork, fresb, per pouud
Ham. rier rjonml
75
124
113
m
124
100
71
J40
100
100
150
07
B7
104
108
5'
65
70
114
04
88
Butler, per pound....
Potatoes, per btiBbel
lllce, per pound
Beane, per pound
Milk, tier onxrt
Tea, Oolong, per pun ud
Uolieo, Kio, greeu, p. p.
Sugar, brown, pr. p ud
jMolaBHeH, JN. Ut
Coal, par tou
Wood, oak. per ooid.....
Wood, ptne. per cord...
BbteUDfn, per yard
Cotton flaoneU
Ticking
Prints, Merrlmao
By an examination of the above table it will
be seen that the Average price of the leading
articles of domestic consumption in the cities of
Lowell and Lawrence for the years 1808-9, over
18C0 (making allowance ior the varjiDR rates of
Quantities used), 1 somewhat in excess ot 00
(91 '65) per cent., but it the average bo propor
tloned to the relative importance of the several
articles entering into consumption the quan
tity and value of flour and meat consumed, for
example, bcins disproportionate to the quantity
of suffar, cotleo. and firewood the advance
woula bo found to stand at even a much higher
figure.
, Again, the following letters, selected from a
very large number which have been directly or
Indirectly communicated,' are especially into
rcstlnp.as showing the indivlAual.experleuces of
worktnfrmen:
'New York, February, 18G9. Sir: I perceive
that Mr. Greeley has revived the important
question of the proportion which wages bear to
the cost of living. I am a railroad conductor,
and have been so for h number of years. In
18C9 my weekly expenses (five in family) were
as follows, In detail, contrasted with which I
give you aleo the present prices:
1859. 1809. 1859. 1869.
Inti6r...0 22 per id. su -ia smoicea
Milk. Otfperqt
Onions, 7 per qU
12
beef..80'16 oer lb. 80-25
15
40
Veal... 10 per lb. 19
Prepared
flour. 82perpkg. 50
Rice.... 6 per lb. 9
Uabbage 5 per hd. 15
Coal 5-00 per ton. 0-50
Wood.. 2 25 per Id. 5'50
Kent ... 625 per mb.,15 00
Coffee..
18 per lb.
Ham....
Sugar...
Lard
Crackers
Byrup..,
Cheese,
fork. ...
12 per lb.
9 per lb.
14 per lb.
6 per lb.
14 perqt.
13 per 10.
U per lb.
21
16
24
12
24
18
22
"Now, my weekly expenses ten years ago,
exclusive of fuel and rent, amounted to $201;
the same articles to-day coBt me $367; general
average advance, 87 per cent. Wairee in 1859,
$10 a week; in 18C9, $12; advance, 20 per cent.
In round numbers, then, my expenses per
month hi 1859 were $1650; income, $40; balance
for clothing and incidentals, $23-50, or $270 per
annum for five of us. My expenses now are
$33-76 per month, or more than 100 percent,
advance, leaving me but $4-25 per month, or
about $51 a year for clothing and incidentals.
" J. Macdonald, New York."
The condition of tailors in large cities em
ployed on clothing intended for sale, "ready
iuade," is strikingly illustrated by the following
report of the New York World, February 1.1889:
"A targe meeting of that class of tailors who
make clothing sold ready made was held at the
Harmonia Booms, In Essex street, yesterday,
to secure, if possible, an advance on the present
wages paid those tradesmen. The audience
must have cumbered more than a thousaud,
and were thoroughly unanimous. The speeches
were substantially to the effect that the
tailor 'a condition was worse than that of the
pauper on Blackwell's Island, having, after
working eighteen hours per day, hardly wases
BUfncient to procure food for his family. The
Bricklayer only worked ten hours per day, and
' he received, frequently, $5; while the tailor
would have to work nearly a week for that sum.
This class of tailors was even more unfoitunate
than the shop or custom tailors, who, in many
cases, could make $20 per week, while the
wages of tailors who made the clothing sold
ready-made seldom amounted to over $12 per
woek. They could live comparatively like
princes ten years ago, but their wages have not
advanced with the prices of food."
It is also to be here noted, that the above
evidence respecting the condition of the work
ing people in the large cities of the eastern
' section of our counttv receives the full indorse
ment of Mr. Horace Greeley. Thus, In a recent
Iiublished communication on the condition of
abor In New York, Mr. Greeley says:
"The supposed excess of wages in cities is
fallacious and misleading. The inevitable cost
of living in cities, especially this one, is far
higher than is or well can be realized in the
oountry. A family ot four persons can hardly
live decently in less than three rooms; and the
rent of three tolerable rooms here would absorb
the entire wages of an average mechanic in the
country. When everything eaten, drank (ex
cept water), or worn must be bought piecemeal
at high prices, the cost of living becomes enor
mous, and saving by men of family very diffi
cult. Our mechanics who are single, and have
only themselves to support, ought to deposit at
least a third of their wages in some savings
bank each pay day, though very few of them do
ao. They might save, but do not; those who
have families to support 'rarely do better than
to pay their way. Only very able, very ener
getic, or very frugal persons save money ) n a
great city,"
EXPEDIENCE OF THE COUNTRY.
It will be observed that the above evidence
relative to the comparative prices of wages and
commodities Is based upon the record of expe
rience In large cities mainly. To prove, how
ever, that the condition of affairs is the same in
the sparsely populated districts of the eastern
sections of our country, the detailed results of
an Investigation recently instituted in the town
of North Brookfleld, Massachusetts, are here
with submitted. This town, situated in the
central portion ot the State, aud at a distance
' from' any railroad or dense centre of popula
tion, Is the seat of a somewhat extensive boot
and shoe industry, employing about a thousand
hands, male and female, and constituting, apart
from agriculture, the main dependence for oc
cupation to the local population.
The investigation was made for the purpose
of testing the conclusions of the Commissioner,
by a well known citizen ot the town, the Hon.
Amasa Walker, whose name is a sudicleut
guarantee for the entire fairness and accuracy
of all tbo statements conmiued in the following
letter:
"To the Special Commissioner of the Revenue.
'Sir: The following tuble, based ou the
record of ordinary and actual ealet- will show
you the comparative price of twenty leading
commodities of domestic consumption in the
town of North Brookfleld, Mass., la the sum
mers of i860 and of 1868:
1 i tj
2 2 5
p P i
012 8D2 " 108 8
8 15 87 5
10 20 100
11 25 127-3
18 22 09 2
22 45 1015
12 20 66 6
14 25 78 5
17 85 105 9
8-50 15'5') 82 3
5 12 140
8 17 1125
6 18 100
10 17 70
8 15 87 5
45 80 77-7
60 126 150
20 40 100
20 50 150
60 1-25 150
Commodities.
-Beefsteak a, 30 lbs lb.
Beef, oorned, 15 lbs V lb.
1'orK, fresh. 20 lbs 1Mb.
Lamb, 10 lbs b.
Haussgee, 10 lbs m V lb.
Butter, 30 lbs lb.
Cheese. 6 lb V lb.
Lard, 12 lba..... lt.
Kggs, i d 6z. ................... V doz
Flow, 4 bbl- bbl.
Flub, fresh, 15 lbs .... lb.
Beans, 8 quarts .....$ oA
Kloe, 6 lbs V
Bugar, white, 10 lbs lb.
Sugar, brown. 12 lbs. p lb.
Molassea,l gal............... gal.
Tea. 2 lbs........... V lb.
Grffee, 1 lb.......M...M.M V lb.
Vinegar, W gl..... gal.
Potatoes, 8 bush V bush.
"Average advance It) cost of above quuntltlci
, from 1800 to 1808, 98-7 per cent.
'The following table will also show you. th i
advance in the prices of labor In the boot and
oboe manufacturing establishment of K. and A.
H. Batchrller A Co.. tn the tame town, during
ihP ipis i860 and 1H68, respectively:- ,
"
1800.
1868.
Advance.
Con mou hai'dsp'rhour
J-'USl'ClHKS founds "
t'inn Work.
mil .200. !20
per or.
22-4J.2-UC.2-2
nnunt iirouacs per pair
150.
,2le.
i22o.
40
AVt
Blnck brogans per pair. lOo.
Crlropina enu ireeiog
bom, per pair..
'nso.
Avre advance In the price of labor, eittma'Int
equal quantities of each kind, 31 6 P. r cent,
"I'lom the foregoing statement it appears that
the con modities enumerated (in the quanti'ies
fpecifledi would have cost the common laborer,
working ten hours" ii day at K'-jf cents per hour,
the labor of 20-0 days in 1860, while In 1H68,
when receiving 20 cent an hour, he would have
been obliged to work 31-2 days in order to pur
chase the same articles tor the support of him
ult and family. His condition, therefore, coin
raied with 1800, exhibits a loss of 41 per ceut
that Is, whire ho then received 100 (reckoned
In ai tides to cat, drink, and wear) for hu labor,
he now receives but 69 cents.
"lnihecase of the bruean maker, the best
paid laborer mentioned, 1 be loss is not so heavy,
but still very severe. His pay has advanced
from 15 to 21 cents per pair. To purchase the
above commodities he would
In 1RC8 have been obliged to make . 325 pa'rs
In 1&G0, only 229 pairs
A loss In the making of ... . 9G pairs
'. e., so much work to bo done before the
worsman receives the fame amount of flour,
meat, etc., as in i860. This equals a loss of 29-2
per cent.; or, iu other words, when in 1860 he
received 100 he now receives but 70-8 ceuts.
"Itents have greatly Increased, but to what
precite extent cannot bo so readily ascertained
as iu the case of commodities. The advance
cannot be less than about 65 per cent.
"Fuel has advanced say, wood from $5 to $7
per cord, coal from $f to $12 per ton an ave
rape of about 60 per ceiit.
The prices of commodities I have ascertained
by a personal examination of the books of one
of the principal dealers, and am satisfied that
they are correct, not only from the showing of
the accounts, but from my general knowledge
of current prices.
"The rates of labor have been obtained from
direct inquiry of the largest boot and shoe
manufacturing concern iu the Slate, und are
undoubtedly accurate and reliable.
"(Signed) Amasa Walker.
"Noith Brookfleld, Mass., Feb. 2, 1869."
Let us now apply the lesson ot this expe
rience. On an average, every American work
iugman who is married may be supposed to
suppoit four persons besides himself. Suppos
ing the cost to be the same as in the Community
and it probably must be more, under retail
prices, to secure the ame degree ot comfort
it will require nearly $5 ($24-25) per week. It
is a pertinent question: How large a propor
tion of American workmen earn that amouut?
How many do not obtain more than two thirds
as much?
The Commissioner, from an inability to obtain
sufficient reliable evidence did not claim in his
report that the conclusions arrived at in respect
to prices and the condition of labor throughout
the Eastern and Middle States applied equally
and co extensively at the West. So far, how
ever, as euch evidence has been furni hed, it
tends to show that like caucs have everywhere
tended to produce like effects. A single ex
ample may be adduced, viz.: the report of
a very careful investiga'ion instituted in
1867, and referred to ia the report of the
Commissioner for that year, in respect to the
relative alvance in the price of commodities
and of labor in a Western manufacturing town
in the centre of a rich agricultural district the
town of Cauton, Stark county, Ohio. This in
vestigation showed tnat while the advance in
waews employed in the manufacture of agri
cultural machinery was from 65 to 60 per cent.
In November, I860, a3 compared with the samo
mouth in 1860, the advance in the cost of livlug,
as deduced from tho prices of sixteen of the
leading articles of domestic consumption, viz.:
flour, corn, meal, buckwheat-flour, beef, butter,
eggs, lard, potatoes, apples, chicnens, dried
apples, coffee, sugar, syrup, calicoes, and mus
lins, showed an average increase of about 130
per cent.
The average increase In the rate of wages
paid for tkllled labor engaged in the manufac
ture of agricultural implements in the same
town, during the period of years under com
parison, was aleo shown to have been 57j per
cent.
But I am well aware that you will endeavor
to answer this new evidence, as you answered
the evidence presented in the report, by the
assertion that labor is immeasurably better
employed at the present time ihau it was in
1860. This answer, however, is far more speci
ous than correct The war, by the diversion of
laree numbers of men to the army, created in
many departments ot industry a deficiency of
skilled workmen, wnicn nas not to in is day
been fully supplied, ir, tnereiore, certain
specialties of industry in certain sections were
taken as the standard, it might be made to
appear that labor is more ruiiy employed in 1869
than it was in 1860. There has been, further
more, a laree Increase in what may be termed
manuiactunng prouucnon since ihuu, as well as a
laige increase ot population; consequently the
specific number of laborers of all Kinds em
ployed throughout the Northern States is un
questionably much larger than in 1800. But that
labor, considered generally, skilled and un
skilled, "is now immeasurably moie fully
employed" than in 1859 and In 1860, is an asser
tion not supported by any Bufliclent evidence;
the two latter years having been, not as
represented by you, among "the darkest periods
ever seen by the laboring people ot America."
but really the two most prosperous years that
the nation has ever experienced. Under this
head I propose to submit soite evidence.
The repoit of the Guardians of the Poor of the
city ot Philadelphia shows that the net amouut
expended under their direction was $298,789 lor
the sear 1865; $259,445 lor 1859: 210.517 for
I860; and $423,808 for 1807. The number of
persons reported as leceiving out door relief in
the city ot Philadelphia lor the year 1808 was
104,642, as compared with 85.232 lor the vear 1807.
The present population ot Philadelphia may bo
estimated at about 750,000; of this number 3718
weie inmates ot the Almshouse on the 1st
of January, 18G9, and, ns before thowu, 161,542
persons received relief on account of poverty
during the year. It, thereloie, appears that
during the year 1808, 108,200 (or one person out
of every 14 in the city ot PniiaJelphla) were
wholly or partiully incapable of stlt suppoit a
circumstance thai does not tell strongly in laver
of a great material prosperity ou the part of the
people I
All accounts, furthermore, asrree that in the
city of New York the number ot persous seeking
employment, and the demands for relief ou
bebali ot the poor, have never been to great as
during the past winter.
The following extracts from letters receutly
uu'ireetea to me vjommissioner oy leading niauu
fucturers In various ico'lIoos of th rnnn'trv fur.
nieh further evidence in resoect to thn relnii v
condition of labor aud wages, which cau be
ueuuer reiuipu nor ignoreii:
"Colt's Pikb arms SlANrFAr.Tnniwn Pnu
pany, Hartford, Colu., March 4, 1809. To the
bpecial Commibsioner of Kevemin sir. s
fur as our memory serves us, we would say that
we have at the present time a somewhat larger
number of applicants for work at our branch of
business than iu 18(10. The wacs paid by us at
present are about ttrty (50) per ceut. abave the
pnci-t) yaiu iu xouu.
' Huon Harbison, Secretary
"Opuce General Pupe rintekdenf Rinur.
and Erie Railroad Company, Buffalo, March
10, 1809. Our present prices are now only 30 to
60 per ceut. higher than iu 1800, and we have no
ditliculty in procuring all that wo require at
these rates."
"Providence, B. I., March 16, 1809. The cost
ot lanor wun us since iouu nas advanced from
60 to 70 per cent , but it has not kept pace with
the Increased cost of living during the time,
and we feel that cither the former must advance
Tboee who perform piece-work cannot rely untn
as ooiisont employment s Uinae wkio work by the
uour, wuivu nuvvums mi ue umcieuue u puce,
farther or the latter soon decline, to enable our i
operatives to live as well as formerly.
."W. O. Awokll, President
"American Screw nnmnnnt."
"OiTT Point Macdimb Works. Hotom. March
10, 18U9. I have had compiled from my bioits
an accurate elA'ement that the average number
ot men employed in my works dnnnir tbe first
six months of the year 1860 was 358 Ml. while
the average number employed during the cor
iepondlng period just closed was but 55 2 13,
with very little prospect of improvement uotil
some alteration is made in the tariff laws ie
ductus or repealing the duties ou raw materiuls
and ine necetsarns or lite.
"Harrison Lorino. New York. Much 6.
1869. -In answer to tho stitemeut that labsr Is
now Immeasurably more fullv emnloved at an
alvance of from 80 to 100 pep cent, over the
waees of I860, we Would f ta'e that iu our branch
of business Is not to. Por two years past we
have b en emplojlug fewer men, and. at some
seasons of the year, we have beeu runulug short
time. The rates ot wages of our mn, as com
pared with 1800, average about 60 per cent,
increase. John STEPnENov A Co..
"Car Builders, No. 47 East 27th street."
"Bridgeport, Conn.. March 3. 1809. Sir:
We employ more labor in our bubiuess than in
1860. but the advauce of wages Is not equal to
80 cr 100 per cent, above that date. Probably
50 per cent, would be nearer correct.
wheeler a, Wilson,
"Sewing Machine Company."
"Petn (Iron) Works. Philadelphia. March
4, 1809. At present lubor seems fully occupied.
judtrlng fiom the very few applications made for
pot-iuous. ineauvanceot wazes has not been
over CO per ceut. Neafib & Levy."
liofTON, March , 1869. Labor in our
branch of business is unoupstlonablv more fully
employed now than in 1860. Au examination
ot our prices now paid for labor shows an in
crease of between 40 and 60 percent, over the
prices of 1860. Ciuckerino & Sons,
"Piano lorte Mikers."
"Iron Works, Hartford. Conn.. March 8.
i860. Investigation shows that the averaee
number of men employed in our works from
fcieptember, 1859, to March, 1800, was onp-third
greater than lu me same months ot 1868 ana
1869; wages about one-third greater at the latter
peiiod than during the former.
WOODRUFF X tSEACH. '
"Philadelphia, March 6. 1809. Skilled labor
Iu our business is more fuilv eiunlovcd than it
was In 1860, at an advance of wages equal to
from GO to 90 per cent.
"&TUART, PETERSON CO.,
"Manufacturers of Euameiled and
"Tinned Hollow Ware.tc."
"Office Assistant Superintendent Pa. K.R.,
ALTooisi, Pa.. March 19, 1809. Wo have now a
great many applications tor common labor, out
very few for skilled labor mechanics. The
applications for the former are mostly from
other sections of the country, where they have
Deen tnrowD out or tneir regular employments
by the stoppape of the Biauutactoric, or by a
rtductionof force. Very few are of the class of
mechanics lequired on railroads; and all they
could do for us would be common labor. The
percentage of sdvauces In labor In 1868 over 1860,
Darned by jou in your let'er (viz.: 80 to 100 per
cent.), is lets with uh. We were paying in 1860
for common labor $1 per day, aud are now pay
ing $140. Y. ours, etc., John Riley,
"A-sistant superintendent."
Iwwould seem as if no further evidence could
be lequired to prove that the statements made
by the Commitsioner in his report respecting
the con'para'ive aveiage prices in labor and
commodities in 1860 and 1867-08 were not, as
cbaiged by you, "skilfully manipulated" and
"gaibled," but were in all lespects fair and
truthful.
I come next to tbe consideration of the sta
tistics of life insurance aud savings banks, which
have been referred to by you as proving that the
condition of the laboring classes In the eutem
sections of our country was iu all iespects better
in 18G7-68 than in 1800, or, indeed, than at any
lormer period, a very sugDt examination ot
these statistics, however, is all that is neces
sary to show that you have failed to comprehend
their true meaning and significance.
lAje insurance. in respect to nte insurance,
tbe case is simply this: lu 1859-60 the system
was comparatively new, and little understood
throughout the country. There were also but
comparatively few companies, and the majority
ot tnoso were ot recent organization, in 1807
09, however, tbe system had been found by
experience to be so profitable that companies
were greatly multiplied those of New York
alone bavine increased from eight in 1859 to
thirty-four in 1868; whllo the competition for
business has induced the employment of large
numbers of agents, who, stimulated to effort by
liberal commissions, scour the country in every
direction, and, Dy personal appeal ana im
portunity, induce applications for poli
cies. The attempt to deduce any
inference from statistics of this character,
tending to prove a material change for the bet
ter in the condition of the masses of the people
during the period under consideration, is there
fore on its face an absurdity. As well might
you attempt to prove that the ratio of disease
ana mortality tnrougnout tne country naa
diminished, because of the unexampled sales by
travelling agents of certain popular works on
remedies and therapeutics. Besides, it seems
that of those who take out policies of lite insu
rance in the Eastern States, but a very small
proportion belong to that class whose prosperity
is tbe most sure index of the prosperity ot the
country, viz., tne class mat work tor oay wages.
SSSavinas Banks. In like manner the statistics
ot savings banks are referred to by you at length.
as showing a Highly prosperous conailton ot
the mafses. properly conquered, nowever,
thev indicate a very different state of things.
Thus the first, and almost the onlv. fact which
arrests the attention of a mere superficial ob
server in examining these statistics, is a large
apparent increase in deposits from 1860 to 1867 or
1808; and this fact you have taken great care
shall not be overlooked. But an intelligent ex
amination will at once show that a very great
part of the apparent accumulation referred to
is mere inflation. For example, let us take the
case of Mpssaehusetts, where the conditions lor
ii.crease may be presumed to oe especially
favorable:
in lwtio the savings bank deposits in
this State were .... $13,051,000
In 1867, in currency, $80,431,583, or
in gold, at 135 .... 59,579,000
Increase In seven years . . $14,625,000
Or $4,397,000 less thau simple interest (gold)
for seven years on the aggregate deposits of
i860; that is to say, the deposits of 1860 were
i ot made ccod iu 1807. if we reckon only their
simple natural increase at interest; or, lu other
words, it has been lounu tnai iue sum m me
possession of the depositors in 1867 (gold
values) was far loss than would naturally be
be expected n view of the sum tbey already had
1n IfillO.
It is evident that some cause had eaten Into
the accumulation which existed seven years
iirevirniHl v. an A had occasioned the withdrawal
of portions of that accumulation. Of course, it
was to De expected mat witnarawais wuuiu iu.c
place, but in an ordinary condition of affairs the
new deposits wouia ccrtaiuiy cquai tuuso wnu
drawal,!. aud In an advancing cordiiion would
greatly exceed them. We do not find this to be
the case. On the contrary, the laboring classes,
so far as they are represented by the depositors
of 1860, have not been able.to keep at interest
tbe sum (reckoned in gold) which at that time
thev hud earned and laid by. They have been
either less frugal or more unfortunate than was
in 1800 fairly to be expected.
This, be it observed, is calculating the natural
increase at simple iLttrest only. If the sum
which formed the accumulations oi mewuie.
Ine men In 1860 hid been left at compouud lute
recr ii a la RiinnnSH.d tn lift the case With Savings
banks deposits that is, if the workiugmen of
Mas achueettB, as a Class uet"u now uepuDiw
Bimply eounterbalance withdrawals), had
cleared nothing above their living in the years
between 1860 and 1867, but had only left their
then accumulated earnings untouched, they
would have been very much netter on man
thev are fnund to have been under the com
pound system of inflation and monopoly the
only kind of compounding which the poor
people of this country may expect so long as
the policy which jou represent bhall continue
to prevail.
That the state of things nollced In respect to
the deposits of the Massachusetts eavlDji banks
is entirely abnormal, Judging from precedents,
1 couclusively shown by coatrastiug the average
annual Increase from I860 to I860 with the
average from 1860 to 1867. Thus, from 1850 to
1860 the deposits increased at an average annual
rate of 12 per cent, (gold), while from 1801 to
1807 the annual average was onlv 81 ner cent..
currency, or 4 1-13 per cent., gold. During the
years ib&u ana ihbu. moreover, the very years
vou have described 'atlie darkest periods ever
seen by tbe laboring people of America," the
depot-its in the savings banks, not only of
MassactiUFCtts. put oi an me oiner stutci.
Increased in a ratio that has almost no precedent
in me nistory oi tne country.
But 1 bee of sou to observe, farther, that if
the swelling sum of $80,431,583 the amount of
the curreucy deposits in me savings oanks or
Massncnuscits in 1867 were reduced to the
proportions which it truly bear, when com
pated with beef, bread, clothes, or rent which
are mainly what a worklngman wants money
for-it would bo found that the worklngmau's
investment in a savings bank, under your
regime, was very much like what Mr. Johnson
wlehed a capitalist's investment in uovernment
bonds to be, namely, no rlaht to any interest,
and a profouud sonso of thankfuln ss that even
the priutjipal was recoverable at the maturity
of the promissory obligation. In order to
render this fact perfectly apparent to you, let
us subject to analysis the statistics ot tne
savings banks of the State of New York. By
returns furni-tbed me by the bank department
at Albany, 1 find that the average per depositor
in the New Toik savings banks wns:
January 1, 1861 . . , $221, gold.
Jnnuary 1, 1868 . . . 281, currency.
i-et us now determine tue comparative value
of tho average currency deposits of 1868, as
measured in gold, and also In flour, meats, rents,
board, and commodities in general the prices
assumed for the latter being those which the
evidence already submitted proves to have pre
vailed tnrouen me t-astcm btates durmg tue
years 1867-68:
$281, currency, reduced to gold (135) . . $208
$281, currency, teduced to flour rates (190) 148
$281, currency, reduced to rates for meats
of all kinds (185) 151
$281, currency, reduced to rents (160) . 109
$281, currency, reduced to prices lor board
(170) 159
$8l, currency, reduced to the general
average ot prices in iBtia (178) . . 157
If we examine also the statistics of savings
banks in Philadelphia, the results will prove to
be not dissimilar. Thus, according to the re
turns of tbe Pniladelphia Savings Fund Society,
tne largest institution in mat city, we nna
The average per depositor In January, 1861,
gold, was ...... $192
The average per depositor In January, 1868.
currency ...... 209
Same reduced to gold, at 135 (lowest, net
average rate) 155
Same reduced to flour rates (190) . . 110
Same reduced to rales for meat of all kinds
(185) . . . . , . . 113
Same reduced to rent (166) ... 126
Same reduced to prices for board (176) 119
Same reduced to general prices (178) . 117J
Even if the average advance since 1860 in the
price of the commodities essential to the exist
ence and comfort of workingmen has been only
50 per cent., as you say, the purchasing power
of the average ot Individual deposits in the
savings banks of the State ot New York would
be only 187 in 1868 against 224 in 1861, and, for
the city of Philadelphia, 140 as compared with
192.
If it be objected that It is not fair in this com
parison to reduce currency to gold or that a
dollar is always a collar it seems cci tain that
this objection cannot be fairly urged against a
comparison of the purchasing power of tbe
money on deposit at different periods tn respect
to other commodities than the prejlous meiuls.
Otherwise, what comparison, it may be asked,
could have been instituted in case the present
currency had depreciated to au equal extent
with Confederate money? Is the quantity of
depreciated paper money deposited in savings
banks to be made the test of the prosperity of
the people? It so, tnen the greater the depre
ciation the greater the prosperity.
There is one other point which examination
of the statistics ot the savings banks of Phila
delphia reveals, which I commend to your con
sideration as of special Interest. It is that the
increase in tbe number ot depositors in that
city has not kept pace with the increase of the
population. Thus, in tho Satety Fund Savings
Bank, the increase in the number of depositors
from 1800 to 1868 was 27 J per cent., while the
population ot the city during the same period
is estimated to have increased from 565,000 to
750,000, or at the rate of nearly 33 per cent.
But interesting and conclusive as are the
statements submitted in respect to savings
banks, the story is yet but halt told. Formerly
the deposits in these Institutions represented in
great part the hard earned accumulations of
persons who were entirely dependent for sup
port upon the wages received for the perform
ance of dally routine labor such as operatives
in factories, day laborers, mechanics, needle
women, cleiks, and small traders. Now, on
the contrary, all the evidence tends to show
that exactly the contrary condition of affairs
has been established. Thus, for example, in
tbe manufacturing city of Lawrence, Mass.,
with a population of 28,000, of whom 9000 are
operatives directly employed m the mills, 7568
persons are returned as savings-bank deposi
tors in that place for the year ending October,
1808; but of this number only one-fourth, we
are officially informed, were operatives.
In short, the recent increase ot savings-bank
deposits in the Eastern States is chiefly due to
tbe fact that they are more lightly taxed than
any other kind of invested property. This is
well illustrated by the case of Massachusetts.
Till within a year the tax on savings bank de
posits in that State was only one-half of one per
cent., and as tbe investments of these institu
tions were profitable, being very largely in
Dnited States bonds and bank stocks, the
deposltcr received a net increase of seven pur
cent, without risk or trouble. The consequeuco
was, that a new class of people, for whom the
savings banks were never designed, and who
had no right to avail themselves of their
eleemosjnary character, began to use them,
ai.d to deposit ihe largest sums
which are permitted to draw interest. The
amount in Alastachueetls is required to be less
than $1000 standing to the credit of one per
son. But to avoid this, deposits are made iu
tbe names ot the wile and minor children, nntil
they often amount to several thousand dollars.
More palpable violations of the law than this
aie also ro-orttd to or permitted by some insti
tutions, which, when the depositor's account
reac ed the legal limit, allowed him to open
another, and still another, iu his own name,
the pass bocks being nuuibued 1, 2 3, etc. The
single tact, therefore, ot recent rapid accumu
lation iu the deposits of savings banks "does
not, of Itsel','' to use the language of the Bunk
Commissioners of Massachusetts, in their report
ot 1807, "afford any evidence that they are per
forming the beneficial work expected of them."
An instance may be given of one savings bank
In the interior of that State, which having lour
or five jears ago some $200,000 of deposits, was
taken in bund by a retired capitalist, anxious to
develop its possibilities, and in the short space
of three years carried up to a capital ot $700,000,
the accumulations being all drawu from the
population of an agricultural distiict. This
result was accomplished by a process of active
solicitation, through the press and by printed
circulais, calling on the people to bring In their
money, and promising to pay seven per cent, for
it, free of taxes. The whole neighborhood was
absolutely drained; mortgages, loans to me
chanics and small mauutuctureis, were called
iu, and an extreme stringency occurred in the
local money market.
Facts like these satisfied the Legislature of
Massachusetts of lust year that the tax was alto
gether too low, and Imposed an unjust burden
on other tax-pajers, The Bank Committee
recommended that it be doubled, the average
rate of taxation in the State being fully 1J per
cent.: but the usual cries of evmoathv lor the
widow aud the fatherless prevailed to prevent
a greater advance than oue Quarter of one per
cent., ana mis was aooptea; mis email per
centage yielding to the State a revenue of about
250.000 a vear.
Now, what has thuB been found to be true of
Massachusetts win unoouuteaiy be found to be
truo of every State where a system of savings
banks has been established.
Another (circumstance which has tended ab
normally to increase the capital of savings
banks is the dearness of real estate aud of such
stocks as were generally within the reach of
this class of iumtors, Ouce a low hundred
dollsrs would purchase for a mechanic or
laborer a decent house, but such has been the
increase of prices resulting from a depreciated
currency and high taxation, that a far larger
aura is now required to purchase a borne; and
when it Is obtained, the taxes and repairs on it
are a heavy burden. Thus the savings btnk
has become the depofitory of funds watting for
the return of better times of lower prices and
settled values. It certainly cannot be regarded
as a symptom of healthy social C3nrt1tlon when
tbe lanoreis ot the country are in this manner
firevented from acquiring homes tor their taml
ics and an established interest in the country
and its Prosperity.
Tbe claim you make ttaa. a much larger nnm
ter of houses have beeu built in Philadelphia
md Washington during the year 18!8 thau in
1800 proves nothing, if true, in respect to the
peneral prosperity; Inasmuch as the whole tcu
dei cy of the present condition of affairs is to
IncrraFe and build up the large cities, in a most
unhealthy manner, at the expense of the coun
try; and! would ro.cr you, in contrast, to the
large manufacturing town of Brldesburg, adja
cent to Philadelphia, in which, 1 am Informed
ou tbe hlghost authority, there has hardly been
an Instance since 1865 in which a house has
been either built or bought by an operative em
ployed in the local esiublbbmeuts. There is
also something ot starllto signlflcance in the
following assertions, which I take from a letter
published by General H. K.Oliver, In bit recent
report (1869) to the Legislature of Massachu
setts. "On the employment of children in facto
ries," and which letter the Spiiugfleld Repub'i
can, an Influential journal published in the
heart of New England, indorses "as a tolerably
good description of what most of us have
seen."
"Certain parlies are called the great manufac
turers of New England, and they have been
eneaaed as such for generations, yet the man or
the lamily that has been in their employ, and
come out of it with more than enough for a
decent interment, is jet to be found."
The general system, as managed in connection
with the factory store. Is further characterized
as producing this result, viz.:
"A helpless crowd of workers, the oppression
of low wages, inevitable poverty, and a disguised
serfdom, a rich master, a poor servant, and a
mean population. Such is the story of
manufacturing In New Kneland." Senate Docu
ment, JVo. 41, January, 1869.
I have now reviewed, in the main, tho "array
of facts" presented by you in refutation of the
statements contained iuthe report of tbe Special
Commissioner, and 1 am ready to submit to the
public the question whether such attempted
refutation has been successful.
There is, however, in tbe harsh criticism
which the report of the Commissioner has
evoked from yourself and others something
more thau appears upon tbe surface. The Com
mlssloner as tbe result of his investigations.
which be claims, in behalf of himtelf and his
assistants, were fairly conducted, and without
rcierence to the support oi any meory pre
sented facts and figures which proved that.
while the aggregate wealth of the country was
Increasing as rapidly as at any lormer period,
the distribution of such increase was most une
qual among the people: that, under a system of
Hiuaied, currency ana indiscriminate taxitton,
tbe rich were becoming richer and the poor
poorer: that tho increase in tbe wages of the
laborer had not beeu in propottion to tne in
crease of his living;' that the prices of all
borne pioducis bad been ss advanced and
maintained that exchange in kind for foreign
commodities had become nearly impossible.
thus restricting the employment of ship
ping ana rendering me continued eiport
ot goia ana obligations ot maeoteaoess indis
pensable: and huallv. that, under the plea o
protection to American industry, special and
onerous taxes had been levied on certain arti
cles which required no protection, to the
resulting pront oi me lew, out to tne detriment
of tbe many. Soon after tbe publication of his
report, it became evident irom tbe attenMoa it
awakened mat, u me facts were as represented,
legislation, looking to a lower range of duties
on certain articles like pig iron, salt, and lum
ber, tbe raw materials for more extensive bat
less favored industries could not long be
averted. Such a movement, however, threat
ened the profits of many wealthy and powerful
manufacturers, and left to their immediate
repiesentatives but two methods of procedure,
viz.. eitner 10 airectiy aisprove me statements
of tbe Commissioner in reference to the profit of
certain special interests, or indirectly to attack
ana so damage nis reputation lor truth, la"-..
ness, ac a capacity as to deprive bis deductions
hereafter ot all weight and influence with the
public.
Tbe former method has not been adopted. No
one has challenged the statements ot tbe Com
missioner in respect to the profits and enhanced
cost ot pig iron, or the present relative cost of
producing this article in the United States and
in Europe. No oue has disputed the evidence
he submitted showing that the present tariff on
salt gives to tbe manufacturers of Syracuse such
a monopoly as enables them to dictate prices
and to accumulate profits that are almost
without precedent in the history of legitimate
industry. No one has disproved his assertion
that the present tariff on lumber has unneses
sarily increased the cost of all constructions
of wood, from the cottage of the laborer
to the fencing of the agriculturist. Singu
larly enough, these are points which are
not considered as worthy of special criticism,
yet it is in these that the real offense ot the
report consists. On the other hand, attention
is sought to be diverted from the true issue by
ctiticlzing the statements of the Commissioner
in respect to wages, rents, and the price of
commodities, although these matters chiefly
concern tbe question of cutrency, and in them
the Commissioner may be right or wrong
without affecting the justice of his conclusions
in respect to tbe influence of an excessive and
indiscriminate tariff.
The attempt is also made to disparage the
Commissioner by designating him as a "free
trader;" although, in this respect, he most dis
tinctly stated that Investigation had led him to
tbe conclusion "that a policy of moderate and
judicious protection under the tariff is certainly,
lor the present, tbe policy best suited to sub
serve tbe industrial interests of the whole
country;" and again, "that the requirements of
the Government lor revenue must certainly, for
tbe present, necessitate so high an average of
duties as to afford all that can be reasonably
asked tor on the ground of protection."
Furthermore, it not having been fouud suffi
cient to resort to legitimate evidence, such as
the statistics of savings banks, and the like, to
disprove the capacity of the Commissioner for
tbe difcharge of his official duties, you have
scrutinized with almost microscopic care the
twenty-seven pages of dotely printed tables
contained iu the report, aud having found one
sltgle pampraph, where, either iu copying
or proof-read in j, the decimal point has
been, through inadvertence, earned oue
place further to the riuut than was proper,
you cite tbw (see pupe 10 of your speech) as
conclusive that no amouut ot evidence could
give to the Commissioner's figurts "a character
lor retpectability or weight of authority." As
well might the Commissioner refer to a receut
public statement of tbe Hon. William D. Kelley
(see Washington Vhroniole, February 22) "that
in one saviugs bank iu the city of New York, in
the year 1867, between ntnety and ono hunired
millions wero deposited," as an evldeace of the
gentleman's want of acquaintance with his
subject; when to do this would be most unfair,
inasmuch as the fact that the total aggregate
deposits in all the saviugs banks of the city of
New Yoik was on the 1st of January, 1867, only
eighty-six millions, was too well known to admit
of the Idea of intentional misstatement on the
part ot any one.
If a comparison had been intended between
the expenses of families according to tbe number
of their children, it would then have been tho
duty ot the Special Commissioner to be careful
to select the families taken for the comparison
iron the same pecuniary circumstances, aud
b' artng the same relation to the means of sub
sistence. But when the object simply and
purposely was to compare the expenditures of
1860 with those of 1867, it doss not matter if all
the families of seven children were taken from
the country, and all tho.e of four from tho
city and In such cases there should be an
apparent anomaly in their expenditure.
In conclusion, 1 beg to express to you my
tbaoks for the opportunity which your speech
has afforded me of contributing something of
additional Information in respect to those great
questious which so intimately coucern the
welfare Of tho Whole nennle em4 elak lit
explaining some matters In connection with my
last report wbich events have shown were liable
lu iiiiBiepirni-DinviOD.
i am yours, respectfully,
' , , Davtd A. Wrlls.
U. P. Special Commissioner of Revenue.
FIRE AND BURGLAR PROOF SAFE
CHAMPION SAPES!
Philadelphia, January 18,1808.
Messrs. FAIiREIi, HERRING ft CO.,
No. 629 Cheanut street
Gentlemen: On the night of the 13th lust, at
Is well known to the clUeens of Philadelphia,
onr large and extensive store and valuable
stock of merchandise, No. 003 Chesnut street
fM burned.
Tbe fire was one of the most extensive and
destructive that baa visited our city for many
years, the beat being ao Intense that even tha
marble eornloe was almost obliterated.
We bad, as yon are aware, two of yonr valu
able and well-known CHAMPION FIRBU
PROOF BAFEH; and nobly have they vindi
cated yonr well-known reputation aa nrannfao
tnrera of FIRE-PROOF BAFK3, If anyfurthM
proof had been required.
They were subjected to the most Intense heat,
and It affords ns much pleasure to inform yon
that after recovering them from the rains, we
fonnd upon examination that onr books, papers,
and other valuable, were all In perfect condi
tion. Tours, very respectfully,
J A3. EL. CALDWELL A CO.
THE ONLT SAFES EXPOSED TO TUB
FIRE IN CALDWELL'S STORE
WBE FABBE1, UEBBIIHO A CO.
Phixadkxphia, Jan. 18, 1389.
Messrs. FARREL, HERRING A CO.,
No. 629 Chesnut street.
Gentlemen: On the night of the 13th Instant
onr large store, 8. W. eorner;of Ninth and Chea
nnt streets, was, together with onr heavy stock
of wall papers, entirely destroyed by fire.
We had one of yonr PATENT CHAMPION
FIRE-PROOF SAFES, whloh contained out
principal books and papers, and although It wm
exposed to the most Intense heat for over 60
hours, we are happy to say it proved Itself
worthy of onr recommendation. Oar books
and papera were ail preserved. W cheerfully
tender onr testimonial to the many already
published, In giving the HERRING SAFE the
credit and confidence It justly merits.
Yours, very respectfully,
HOWELL A BROTHERS.
BTILL ANOTHER.
Philadelphia, Jon. 19, 1881,
Meesrs. FARREL, HERRING A CO.,
No. 639 Ohesnnt street.
Gentlemen: I had one of yonr make of eafea
In tne basement of J. E. Caldwell A Oa's store
at the time of the great ore on the nlgbt
of the 13th instant It waa removed from
the rnlna to-day, and on opening it
I found ail my books, papera, green
backs, watches, and watch, materials, eto ail
preserved. I feel glad that I had one of your
truly valuable safes, and shall want anoLnar of
yonr make when I get located.
Yours, very respectfully,
F. L. KIRKPATRICK,
With J. K. Caldwell A Co., -No.
819 Ohesnnt street
FARREL, IlERRIM & CO.,
CHAMPION SAFES,
No. 629 CHESNUT Street,
ii tr fhtladklphia;
rr-i o. l. m a i s e a
KAsnrFAOTtrBKB or
FIRK AND BURGLAR-PROOF SAFES,
iaoxbmith, bfjll-hangkr, and sxalkb
AM BGlXblHa fiA&DWABJB,
Ml ; Ma m bapm Btr t
CODFISH,
U& PATENT OFFICE,
Washington, D. (J.,
March 2, U69.
W. P. CUTLER, Esq :
rieMtnna Deiow communi
cation from tbe Kzamlner, In
tbe tuatunr mierierence oe
tween Knd, Lewis, und Oui
ler, (or mauufaciure from Cod'
fiib. Very renpecHuily.
HLlBHA iOO'fE.
Commlsaloner or Patents.
Examinkb's Boom: in tbe matter above referred
to. priority of Invention la AWA8DKD TO OUT
IEH, and trie apullcitilons t Band aud Lewis are re
ject! d. B. H. HKNOKICK, Uxamluer.
I hU establishes tbe patent a Oder which the BOS
TON AND PHILiDfcLPHIA 8 ALT 1'ISII COM
PANY. No. 5:41 COLUMBIA. Avenue. manateotaxe
tielr DESICCATED CODFISH. "-"UM""'
for sale by all good grocers.
WAliNKB, BTTODKB A CO.,
WATER and CHESftUT Streets, General Agents.
None genuine nolens bearing oar trade-mark aa
above. Pardee ollerlng any other will be summarily
proeruted. tiH
GROCERIES, ETC.
JpRESLI FRUIT IN CANS.
FKACHKS, PINEAPPLis, ETC.,
GREEN COUN, TOMATO B3.
FKEHCII PEAS, MUSHROOMS,
ASPARAGUS. ETC. ETC
ALBERT C. ROBERTS,
Dealer In Fins Groceries,
II Tlrp Oor. ELEVENTH and TIBj Btreeta,
PROVISIONS, ETC.
jftlClIAEL ME AG LIE It & CO.,
o. 223 Sonlh SIXTEENTH Street,
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALERS W
PROVISIONS,
OYMTKUS, A BID HAND CLAN.
FOR FASIIJUY Vm,
TtBBAPIWH III PBH WOIEM. j
Y6TB-B8.-GOOD OTSTfcRS. 25 CBSTI
per hundred. No. 34 IS FUON r breet, above
Pine, or at SECOND aud UNION ttirteta, All kind
olCjujlceCo tra ou luted. i l
WANTS. . '.
WANTED LOCAL AND TBAVKLLIBTQ .
Agent in every city and town In tbe Unlid
Blatee. Ureat Indticeuitnia ottered to active uteu.
Call or addrem. wlclisiamp, WOOD CJO.iBoou 1 C
Ko,tWitiiLtoyxsueet.PlU,
I