Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 2.djvu/545

 ECCENTRIC OFFICIAL STATISTICS

531

They (wage-earners) have learned that since the year 1860 wages have steadily increased ; this is proved by the following table of figures compiled from the census reports and official statistics :

AVERAGE YEARLY WAGES IN THE U. S. IN MANUFACTURING INDUS- TRIES AS SHOWN BY CENSUS REPORTS.

Year

Population

Employes

Total Wages

Equivalent total wages in

MM

Av< ra t '( annual wages in

Wages in- creased since previous

gold

gold

census

1860

31,443,321

1,311,246


 * 378,878,966

1378,878,966

$288

1870

38,558,371

2,053,996

775,584,343

674,421,168

328

14 percent.

1880

50,155,733

2,732,595

947,953,795

947,953,795

347

5-5 "

1890

62,831,900

4,712,622

2,283,216,529

2,283,216,529

484

39

In his debate with Mr. Harvey, Mr. Horr quoted similar statistics with the result of weakening with wage-earners the cause he advocated. While such statistics may deceive others and lead them to wonder at the discontent of wage-earners, they do not deceive that class, but excite their animosity against those who they believe juggle figures for the purpose of deceiv- ing the public as to their wages.

While Colonel Wright calls attention to an error conveying the impression that wage-earners receive an almost insignificant proportion of the value which their labor produces, he strangely neglects to correct the more common erroneous impression of an enormous increase in wages.

H. L. BLISS.

CHICAGO.