THE SUN. 



bor to keep it in condition. On the other hand, the laborer want, 

 the means of employment, whereby he can -t>l- ^^ -b^r to the 

 best advantage. Now, how shall the machine be kept m tact, and 

 what shall be the wages for work and superintendence . 



Co77ipensaiion and Exploitation.-Theve are but two wajs to 

 settle this. One is to debit the use of the machine to .^he laborer 

 and credit him with his product. The other is to debit him with 

 his product and credit him with an allowance for subsistence whik 

 he is employed. Between these tw^o positions there is no middle 

 ground. In one case, there is compensation, in the other, income 

 This income is made up of interest and skill. But we have disposed 

 of interest ; how now shall laborers dispose of the reward for super- 

 intendence ? By putting it up at auction. The one who can be 

 found that will do the work best for the least money will decide 

 the compensation. How will it compare with menial labor . A3 

 to the supply, there will be many who can till the position, and as 

 to the demand, it will be preferred to menial labor. While respon- 

 sibility consumes more vitality, all other considerations are in favor 

 of the labor that contains the least drudgery. Probably Vander- 

 bilt would prefer to do the work he now does, at the same price, 

 than to serve as brakeman on his road. 



But, it may be asked, how is the laborer to secure capital, since 

 he starts with nothincr. Had lie got his deserts he would have had 

 something, for the first day's work leaves a net result to secure cap- 

 ital. The first day the laborer becomes capitalist. How, otherwise, 

 could capital find immunity ? 



WORKING OF THE TWO METHODS. 



In the tirst case, the laborer is. substantially, working for him- 

 self. As he gets in proportion to what he produces, it is for l.is inter- 

 est to produce all he can : in the second case, he is working against 

 time, and it is for his interest to produce as little as i)ossible. In one 

 case, the workman is responsible for damages: in the other, the 

 proprietor, so that capital is never secure. In the first case, wages 

 automatically adjust themselves, according to what one contributes. 

 There are no strikes, for there is nothing to strike against. Be- 

 tween the hand that produces and the thing produced there can be 

 no warfar*!. Hut. in the other case, there is a chronic civil war be- 

 tween labor and capital. In one case, there is an e(iuality of rela- 

 tionship between employer and employee : in the other ca.se. one is 

 •boss,' the other H 'hand.' In one case, a foreman lays out the work : 

 in the other case, an overseer spurs on the men. In one case, there 



