Speech #470165622

Mr. Evarts says: Already the British workingmen see the necessity of getting rid of their surplus labor so as to reduce it within the actual demand therefor. the greater por"tion of them being working at present. where they are working. on short time. to enable all to eke out an existence. There can scarcely be a doubt but that within the next five years half a millton of English workingmen will emigrate. indeed. should the spirit of emigration once seize the English mind. there can be no reasonable limit set to the hegira. Rates of ages.-In layingbefore youthe following statement showing the rates of wagest. as averaged from the reports herewith submitted. throughout England. as compared with those prevailing in New York and Chicago. it should be remarked that in many eases the English raWs are more apparent than real. and that while nominally the English workingman appears to receive a comparatively high rate of wages. he only works on half or twothird time. thus gratiIfying his desire to preserve a high rate of wages at the expense of time. a sentimental fiction which is neither profitable nor substantial. Then lie goes on and gives the tables. which I will not detain the .Senate to read. -