Honolulu Republican, Volume IV, Number 492, 9 January 1902 — LABOR AND PROSPERITY. [ARTICLE]

LABOR AND PROSPERITY.

The workingman of today who does hi< own thinking aa< had the proof presented to him that it >s to his best interests to stand by the platform and principles of the Republican party. The fact that there have been strikes during this period of prosperity no doubt affords a great opportunity for calamity howling. but the IVmocrats always fail to point out that strike? during a Republican Administration are for more wages, and that strikes during a Democratic Administration are against lo<se r wages, and that labor then tnratiably loses The American wage earner wants the present good times and prosperity to continue indefinitely and he will not throw his good thing away for any bubble of promises, which only means a disturbance of their industrial conditions, with less work lower wages, idleness, soup houses, free bread and the poor house. Wages pai - in the United States are from two to four times greater than the wages paid to the corresponding class of labor in th? free-trade countries of the world. The purchasing power of a dollar in America is also correspondingly greater Admitted that rents and the price of native products may be cheaper in foreign countries than they are here, this difference is nothing like the wide disparity in the amount of vices earned

[Moreover, the condition of living mist be considered, as well as the nominal - cost. Cheap rents and cheap price* - mean inferior accommodations and „ poorer living To the average worker in foreign countries, most of the comforts and conveniences that are in I common use by »he American wageearner are positive luxuries. The American workman and his family a-e the best-educated, the best-dress-ed, the best-housed and in way • the tstsit rated worker* :n the word. The American wageearner is a'rway* ’ the mn-t skillfu! workman Hr= duties and 'responsibilities are privilege? by no otb--r laborers, and to his intelligence and achievements are largely due tae fact that the United States l- today th- envy of the i civilized world