PRICES OF THE NECESSARIES OF LIFE.

The following statement will show the cost of the necessaries of life in five cities of the consular district of Rome in the spring of 1884, compared with the cost of the same in the spring of 1878:

Finest..

Good, first quality.

Good, second quality

..per pound.. $0 03 $0 03 $0 03 $0 03 $0 03 $0 03 $0 021 $0 03 $0 03 $0 03 .do.... 02

02

02

05

05

04

04

03

023 021 03

021 023

02호

021

021 021

1

07

073

074

071

071

051 05

stworthy information not obtainable as to these articles in the cities of Perugia, Foligno, Ana Civita Vecchia.

The figures set down in the foregoing statement are the lowest prices for good articles, and where reliable information was not obtainable, the prices were not filled in. Prices for dry goods cannot be satisfac torily given; they vary in nearly every town or city, some using domestic dry goods and others English, French, and German, or a mixture of all.

Since the last report on labor made to the Department in 1878, there is very little change in wages in general trades. In some, as in the building trades, there has been an advance of 10 per cent.; in others an advance of about 5 per cent.

HABITS OF THE WORKING CLASSES.

Both men and women are sober and industrious, and, as a rule, trustworthy and moral. They are generally strong, powerful workers, and capable of enduring great fatigue. The working classes earn comparatively little, and a certain percentage of their earnings goes for the purchase of lottery tickets, the lottery being a state institution; but since the spread of savings banks, and especially the establisment of post-office savings banks throughout the Kingdom, the savings of the working classes have been constantly on the increase.

EMIGRATION.

Men are frequently hot tempered, and quarrels often end in bloodshed, without the excuse of drunkenness. Italian laborors emigrate in large numbers for a short term of years to work on public works. They are generally esteemed and preferred to others for steadiness, strength, and skill. They give very little trouble to the authorities when in foreign countries, and the women lead moral lives. The respect enjoyed by the Italian in the United States makes that country very attractive to him. The foregoing observations relate especially to the lower classes of workmen, the upper and middle classes being the same as in other countries. Skill, steadiness, and sobriety are the characteristics of the great mass of Italians.

FEELING BETWEEN EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYÉ.

There are very few large factories in Italy. Indeed, factory life, as distinct from other employments, is comparatively unknown in Italy. The habit of workmen to respect their superiors and employers engenders a reciprocal feeling in these latter for their employés.

CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.

There are numerous co-operative societies and associations for mutual aid in every town and city, which have effected a great improvement in education, and have secured certain privileges from the Government condusive to the general welfare of workmen. There are no counter organizations.

STRIKES.

Strikes are rare, and are seldom or never marked by violence. The strikers nominate a committee to treat with the masters or the authorities. The latter never interfere except to keep order and promote arbitration, and in some cases the operatives resume work while their grievances

are being discussed. Strikes have always been of short duration, and have been generally devoid of influence for good or evil. They have sometimes taken place to compel the retirement of a tyrannical overseer or foreman, and in this they generally succeed. Advancement in wages is effected by mutual agreement, which is sometimes promoted by the conciliatory intervention of the authorities.

In cities and villages the working classes are entirely free to purchase their necessaries wherever they choose. When employed on agricultural and public works, such as mining, railways, &c., the employers procure the necessaries of life. With the exception of agricultural laborers, the Government interferes for the protection of the working classes. As a rule, laborers are paid weekly, and in the currency of the country, say paper money, silver, and copper coin.

Railway companies have the only co-operative society in Italy affording facilities for purchasing food. A small sum is subscribed at the start, and the railway company puts up an equal amount. This association works well, and the employés get goods considerably cheaper than they otherwise could. Complaints have been made that persons not in railway employ purchase through some regular employé, and that, contrary to law, the co-operative railway associations procure and sell articles of luxury. This has had a bad effect on general trade, as the railway cooperative association does not pay octroi-taxes and numerous other charges which weigh upon the traders and dealers.

AVERSE TO GIVING INFORMATION.

Information regarding the home life of Italian workmen and the use they make of their money cannot be obtained. In England, Germany, and other countries of Northern Europe this information might be obtained, but in Italy it is hardly possible, and is utterly unattainable in Rome. The Romans are distinguished for pride and independence, and will not answer questions about private affairs. Attempts have been repeatedly made to obtain answers in the manner suggested by the State Department circular, but they have been coldly received and evaded.

ACCIDENTS.

In cases of accidents or misfortunes to a workman by fault of his employer he is entitled to compensation. Fire is rarely the cause of death, owing to solidly constructed buildings, in which little wood is used; also because of the comparatively small use of fire in stoves, chimney places, &c.

MORAL AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING OF EMPLOYÉS.

Employers may be said to have nothing to do either with the moral or physical well-being of their employés. Adults take care of their own morals, and would not tolerate interference on the part of masters. The Government and police authorities take a certain care of children and of the hygienic condition of premises, factories, &c.

POLITICAL RIGHTS.

Every male subject over 21 years of age who is able to read a little and write, if of good character, can vote. Demagogues are doing their best to rise through influencing the ignorant masses with promises to gain their votes.

TAXATION.

The working classes earning under $120 per year are not taxed directly, but share in indirect taxation, such as customs, octroi, salt tax, and tax on tobacco (both Government monopolies), &c., so that they actually pay a large portion of the state revenue.

LABOR LEGISLATION.

Legislation is very favorable to the working classes. Several projects of law proposing to protect and benefit the working classes are now before the Italian Parliament.

CAUSES OF EMIGRATION.

Destitution, lack of occupation at home, a desire to go for a few years abroad to earn money sufficient to purchase a piece of land are the incentives to emigration among artisans and laborers. There is only one influence working upon emigrants in choosing a country for their new home, and that is the desire to go where they will be best appreciated and best paid. Workmen generally expect to reach their limited ambition in the way of savings in from five to six years; they are therefore only to a small proportion permanent emigrant settlers. They are useful in the United States, being said to work well and conscientiously in the construction of railways and public works. They carry away a considerable amount of the money earned in foreign countries, but are said to rarely leave behind persons in hospitals or prisons, or destitute old persons and children. These emigrants are said to be generally examples of patience, steadiness, and sobriety, to whomsoever they may come in contact.

FEMALE LABOR.

That which has been said of male labor very nearly applies to female labor. Women are employed in many trades like men, even in agriculture and building.

The number of females employed in the consular district of Rome in 1883 was 768,267, classified as follows:

Hotel and boarding-house keepers were included under the head of commerce and transportation. No females were employed in mines. Wages paid to females are included with those paid to men in the various tables accompanying this report.

WAGES PAID TO FEMALE EMPLOYÉS.

The following are wages paid exclusively to females in certain special trades and occupations. Neither board nor lodging are included in these figures:

The general education of women is lower than that of men, as the latter receive instruction during their term of military service.

In this consular district by far the greater majority of the working class find constant employment at the different ports along the two Kiriere, which extend many miles east and west from Genoa. These laborers are employed in loading and unloading vessels, removing the cargoes to warehouses, freighting by trucks to different parts of the city, loading the merchandise on cars, &e. This work is very heavy, but the pay of the laborer is more than that of the average workingman. It is noticeable that from the moment a vessel enters the harbor the pulse of this class of labor is felt from the water's edge to the most remote inland corner of the district. It will also be seen by a visit to the docks that these workingmen are remarkable for their sturdiness; in fact it is no exaggeration to say that they are prodigies of strength and endur

Their steady habits are in keeping with the above qualifications, and for these reasons they command what people term here big wages, and work is always to be had for them. Their wants are simple, their love for home great-this latter a rule, and not an exception-and therefore the porters' families are always well cared for and comfortably provided with the necessares of life. His pay runs from $1 to $1.10 per day.