Thomas E Ash - Putnam

We are permitted to make the following extracts from a letter written by Thomas E. Ash who is editing a newspaper at Buckley, Washington: “Things are not like they are in the East.  When you come out here you will find everything in the way of work about as it is at home – that is, there are lots of people here and the big majority of them want to stand on the corner and draw pay.  I have seen hundreds of men in Seattle and Tacoma (laboring men, I mean) on the corners complaining of the “tough” times and right before them on a telegraph pole would be an advertisement for 300 to assist in the construction of new railroads.  You must not expect to come here and find people giving away corner lots and 3-story buildings.  They don’t do it.  As to wages, I received $16.50 per week in Indianapolis for 10 hours work a day; the wages here are $21 per week for 9 hours work a day.  Bricklayers get $6 per day; stone masons, $5 to $6 per day; stone masons, $5 to $6 per day; ;carpenters, good ones, $4.50 to $5 laborers, $2 to $2.5.  This is a new country and is bound to improve and settle up.  There is a chance here for young men who will rustle. If I went broke tomorrow, I would not return to Indiana for $500 cash.