Workmen's advocate., January 29, 1887, Image 1

About Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891

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wmm'B ADVOCATE,
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lUw JJaucu, (Connecticut, avtLty, ftmuavn 20. 1807
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THE GREAT STRIKE
WHAT ORGANIZED LABOR CAN
ACCOMPLISH.
Over 100,000 Men (nit Work and
Tmllie ('casts A Sianillcaiil
Hint to Capital Laborers
Scarce -"IT to tin
Front.
New Yokk, Jan. The Ocean
Association has called oil all its
members, embracing 'longshoremen,
freight handlers, coal shovelers and
general laborers and helpers, from
their work in order to assist the
striking coal handlers along the
New Jersey coast.
Fully 100,000 men are now affect
ed by this gigantic strike, and traf
iic is at a standstill, Indirectly,
however, the industries and people
affected is beyond present computa
tion, for not only in Xew York, but
in parts beyond the seas and along
our coasts the non-arrival of the car
goes owing to the refusal of our peo
ple to load the ships with "scab"
handled goods,, will affect the mer
chants and the laborers at the docks.
This state of things, brought
about by the union of Labor's forces
is a significant hint to the capitalists
of the world. Five short years ago
such an extensive strike would have
been an impossibility. What may
not be expected five years hence?
Meanwhile the bosses are losing
heavily; that is; they are gaining
nothing, and with proper manage
ment and fortitude on the part of
the toilers on strike, victory will be
with Labor. Yet these poor, hard
working men ask nothing more than
a pittance! Nothing more than a
mere livelihood devoid of the luxur
ies of modern civilization.
As usual, the police authorities
are beginning their work of inter
ference. Twelve hundred police
men are prepared to repair to any
point where they may be "required
If it were a question of physical
force with the men, this challenge
by tho capitalistic police could be
quickly and effectually answered;
but they are peace and order loving
citizens who simply seek to gam by
passive resistance what they know by
experience canot be gained by argu
ment or an appeal tor justice.
Now, let the General Executive
Board not answer the appeal of tin
bosses, but keep hands off! Tin
Ocean Association has begun nobly,
and if they appeal for aid, whether
it be for their brothers in toil to
strike with them or to send them
financial help, let there be a hearty
response.
Jf, however, a repetition of inter
terence as in the South-west and the
Chicago beef packers affairs, is at
tempted by t.ie General Executive
Board of the K. of L., it wi.. have
the effect of creating distrust among
those who are willing to help a wel
conducted and progressive strike.
A CHICAGO ROMANCE.
A Vassnr ;irl Fall in Love and Wants
to Marry Spies.
Hie report comes that August
Spies is to be married to a young
lady whom .Judge Gary invited on
the bench during the progress o
the Anarchists trial. She came to
see the "beasts'' and fell in love
with one of them. There can be
no doubt that the grand speech
made by Spies was the plea which
won him a woman's love. Miss Van
Zandt has congratulations from the
Kmntirer. Providing the theory
that like attracts like holds good i n
this case, August Spies is most surely
entitled to congratulation.
It is quite evident that the nooses
which were in the minds of Judge
Gary and Miss Van Zandt were o
verv different fiber. La far En
qu)rer.
WESTERN JOURNALISM. j
Sample ol' Ignorance Displayed liy
Frkliii iii-ii Fditorial Peanut-Heads.
St. P.wi., Minn., Jan. !L It
may be interesting for workingmen
to become acquainted with the atti
tude of capitalistic papers in regard
to Socialism in the "golden" North
west. The Dispatch, a little bit of
a sheet, with still loss brains expend
ed in "getting it up," brings an ar
ticle headed "Minneapolis Social-
ism, which is worm oemg re-puo-
ished for reasons I shall give at the
lose. It is, in c.rfcnso:
"Minneapolis in going to the front rap
lly. Jn one respect it is likely soon to
outrival Chicago, ami has, long ago.
reached and passed Milwaukee. It is not
in population, nor indeed in propserity.
it Minneapolis shows to such a marked
idvantago by comparison with the cities
named, it is in me glorious immunity
which she accords to the Knights of the
Red Flag. Socialism in Minneapolis is
anipant. Every one who would under
tand well the true gospel of social chaos
hoiild settle in Minneapolis and at tend
the socialist gatherings.
esterday Martins Mail, in that city,
was the scene of a great socialistic gath
ering. It is doubtful whether Chicago's
lake trout ever beheld a more enthusiast
ic mob of red-handed anarchists, if all
iccounts be true. There was exactly the
same rot indulged in about the sun going
town, ten years from now, on one ot
the fiercest, bloodiest and most terrible
wars the social revolution, etc., etc.,
and a collection was taken up for the
uuirchist martyrs at Chicago.
Dr. Ames and Carter Harrison are of
the same political faith, and as executive
ollicers have much in common. The
city of Chicago owes it to Carter Harri
son's administration that these howling
madmen were allowed to consummate
their maniac doctrines by hurling dyna
mite in the faces of public olhcers. it is
to the neglect and connivance of the
democratic politicians of Chicago that
the tragedy of the Hayniarket is charge
able
We ask Dr. Ames, in the name of
labor and liberty, in behalf of private
decency and the public peace of the city
of which he is mayor, to bring these
crazy manifestations to a close, and do
it quickly and eltectually. An ounce ol
prevention is worth a pound ot cure.
The time for applying the remedy of
nrevention is tho present moment, and
in the name of the prosperity and fair
fame of the Northwest we demand that
it be applied."
To take up a collection lor men
condemned to die, in order that
they may get a fair and impartial
trial, is highly commendable, and
is the duty of every law-loving citi
zen to do in as far as law is taken to
mean justice. The Dispatch will
have no justice but brutality reign-
j, and therefore is a good many
times worse than the objects of its
hatred.
A person demanding public olli
cers to act without or against the
authority ot law ireedoni ot press
aiurspeoeh can lay no chum to be
ing a lawful and good citizen, ana
his utterances must be regarded with
suspicion and distrust, because in
fluenced by prejudice and a mine
intent to do mischief.
If the manifestations of Socialists
anarchists may answer for them
selves are equal to those of insane
persons, why this hatred? They
are only too sound to be overcome
by sophistry therefore this mat
howl of the Dispatch.
The lie on the throne is bourn.
downward, the truth in prison is on
its road to success. Why does the
Dispatch not make its charge cover
some section of the Penal Code o
this State? It can't ! Socialists are
lovers of peace, and friends of the
neonle. and ajritatc. without hope o
reward or fear of disapproval, for
the prosperity of the people even
if they should displease some bruta
ami ignorant editor.
Truth is a mighty weaion. It is
against monopoly and spoliation o
labor, and no amount of force can
strangle it no clubbing, no shoot
ing, no imprisonment . Do men o
the pattern of the capitalistic editor
know of the early christians, ol the
American revolution?
We hav e but one protection against
such assaults: patience; and but one
remedy: greater activity in speaking
the truth. Comrades, circulate your
official journal; every new subscriber
is one less for the lying press of our
enemies, lie up and doing! 'o
ire lighting against ignorance, which
is a task of which the gods even dos-
air.
V. w,
RUSKIN ON RENT.
Kcntl'njimr an Abomination and
Wickedness of the Foulest Kind.
The following extract from a letter
written by John Raskin to a mem
ber of a London Socialist Society is
ublished in the January number of
the London Christian Socialist:
"1 should have thought the qiios
ion about raising rent had been, to
your knowledge, enough answered
y me. 1 have, in several, if not in
many places, declared the entire sys
tem of rent paying to bean abobina
ion and wickedness ol. the ioulost
kind and have only ceased insisting
on that fact of late years, because 1
would not be counted among the
promoters of mob violence. The
future, not only of England, but of
Christendom must issue in abolition
of rents; but, whether with confusion
and slaughter, or by the action of
noble and resolute men m the rising
generation of England and her colo
nies remains to be decided. 1 fear
the worst, and that soon."
When men like John Uuskin talk-
so plainly upon the subject there is
reason for hope that the conscious
ness of the robbery practiced by the
land-grabbers under the sanction of
law backed by military force, will
permeate the respectable portion of
the people.
THE DERBY STRIKE.
Notwithstanding tho Heyiscr's
report recently that the IVrby Sil
ver Co, had made a very satisfactory
report to the stockholders, it is said
that what with the strike and the
tenacious boycott, together with ex
pensive litigation, the company will
have to turn over a new leaf and
probably begin at the bottom round
of the ladder again. The imported
scabs were all sent home before
Christinas and they have not yet
returned to work. I here is a quail
tityof finished stock on hand, such
as it is, ready for shipping. It the
company means to do a good busi
ness again they must employ capa
ble Union men, and they know it.
SOCIAL POLITICAL NOTES.
The outrageous conduct of I he Pinker
ton thugs in Jersey City has had Hie el'
feet of waking up the people to a consid
erable extent. In the New Jersey legis
lature three lulls directed auainst tin
employment of non-residents as special
milice were introduced. Connecticut
also felt the shock, and the result was
the introduction of a bill to place tin
eiuiiloves of thinis under such heavy
bonds for the good behavior of each
thug that it is calculated will prove par
amount to iiiohibil ilitr. Still, there an
many ways of evading the law when
money is at stake, and as long as eapi
ta'ists control the law making and e.
ecutivc bodies, it is not likely that any
very useful law wdl be enacted for tin
U-nelit of tin' masses.
Ill a lecture before the Young Mi ll's
Christian Association in this city J In
other dav, Labor Commissioner lladlev
in a lecture on the "Political Problem."
said: "The ipiestioii is to prevent dis
crimination against individuals without
good reasons. Most of our attempts to
do it have only made it worse." Then
he told the Christian young men that
"State ownership of railroads is the
worst attempt that could be made to
remedy existing evils." That's where we
differ; "nnd we trust that our young Chris
tian friends won't let their Christianity
suffer on account of Mr. Hadley's asser
tions. To be sure. State ownership of
railroads alone would only partly remedy
the evils that beset us. State ownership
of the Post Office business only keeps
down in part the charges that would
otherwise ! made by traiisMirtation
companies; but the State proves a very
satisfactory manager in the transmis
sion of small freight, nevertheless.
The Catholic hierarchy is not the only
church which isopsel to the laltor or
ganizations. The Lutheran Church at
Oshkosh. Wis., untitled its nicmliers
that they wnuM have to leave the K. of
L. or the clinch. It seems that tln-sc
Ecclesiastical Imdies don't like coiuieti
tion in their business.
CONNECTICUT WORKERS.
F.xtracl From Commissioner lladJct's
Itcport.
llul Us of i,i:i!i.
(If tr,(!r hands in the larger establish
ments of the Slate, :,;' 15, or about live
pel cent,, were employed fifty -four hours
or less; II. HIT, or a little over twenty- I
two per cent., from lifty-live to lil'ly
nii e hours; :r,n:',:i, or considerably over
fifty siv per cent., were employed either
fifty-nine and a half or sixty hours -that
is say, ten hours a dav; while the re
m ;;: inter, 1 0,00, or sixteen percent., had
in average working day of more than
si v!y hours.
Nearly all the cases of steady employ-
n t nt for more than ten hours daily in
the fiii i'hWi x of the State, Mere found in
the textile industry, although there were
many oilier establishments reporting
mure or less over-time. The longest
hours reported in work of any kind were
among the barbers --ninety-two hours
weekly. Several outdoor employments,
with exceptionally long hours--for in
stance, st vet-car drivers inaue no re
port.
Some of the mineral industries, like
lime burning, report very long, though
Usually somewhat irregular, hours. The
puper mills run for exceedingly long
hours, though with such relays that com paratively
few of the hands work over
ten hours daily. The regular working
time of Hie bakers sometimes has been
twelve hours a day, and this is consider
ably less than it was a few years ago.
On the other hand, the cigannakers
work but eight hours a day; a decided
reduction in recent years, the last stage
of which was accomplished in May of
this year. This was the only trade
where the attempt to secure an eight
hour day, which was to have been widely
undertaken, was actually carried into
effect. A number of other trades report
slight reductions in recent years.
The difference in time between the
eastern counties, more than half of tho
hands reported are employed over ten
hours daily. This is, of course, due to
the large proportion of textile mills in
this district. The largest- percentages of
short hours are reported from Middlesex,
New Haven, and 1'airlield counties.
The proportion of cvcij short hours is
greatest in the small establishments; oth
erwise, the dill'erenee is not particularly
noticeable between establishments of dif
ferent sizes. The largest percentage of
very long hours is found in establish
incuts of medium si.e, say between .VI
and 00 hands.
Of establishments paying weekly, only
one per cent, run over sixty hours a
week; of those paying fortnightly, seven
per cent.; of those paying monthly,
thirty -two per cent. r, to put the
same result in another form: of U,sl'i
hands employed less than ten hours a
dry, (i,','7!', or thirty percent., were paid
monthly; of :i:i,s70 bauds employed ten
hours a day, l'.Vl'., or thirty-six- and
one-half per cent., were paid monthly;
while of 10, hands employed regular
ly more than ten hours a day, '.I, I .'.", or
fully ninety per cent., were paid
monthly.
Twelve per cent, of the men, twenty
two per cent, of the women, and thirty
four and a half per cent, of the children
are employed more than ten hours daily.
On the other hand, thirty per cent, of
the men. twenty-eight per cent, of the
women, and only eleven per cent, of the
children, are employed than ten
hours daily.
We thus reach the conclusion that
monthly .payments, long hours, and child
la!or go hand in hand. This fact is in
one sense precisely w hat might be expect
ed; yet the results are so noticeable that
they will ls'ar repeating. First, practic
ally none of the weekly payment mills
have a normal working day of over ten
hours. Second. leaving out cases of
fortnightly or mixed payment, a minor
ity of men, a majority of women, and a
two-thirds majority of children, are paid
monthly. Third, less than one-eighth of
the men, but more than one-fifth of the
women, and more than one-third of the
children are employed reguhtrly over tea
hours a day. Fourth, the counties and
! industries which show the largest pro
I Kjrtioii of weekly payment show the
smallest iiojmi tions of w omen and chil
dren employed, and rif rt'rsu.
jA j0j)()X LKTTKll.
EFFORTS OF THE SOCIALISTS
FOR THE UNEMPLOYED.
Forcing the (oncriiiuenl to Furnish
Fiuplo) uieut F.xliibiting the
Keil Flag to ncriimcut
Ollbials - The Hire
ling Pre vis.
LoNiios. .Ian. i. iSfw. ---Notwith
standing the thickness of the fog on
New Year's Day. which completely
cmeloped the city, and w Inch pre
vented any one from distinguishing
his fellow's face, at a few paces dis
tant, our simultaneous I ueinployed
nicctiiii'S came olT verv successfully,
far better in fact, than we had an
ticipated. There were eight of these
meetings held at the same hour. :!
p. in., by the following London
llranches: liattersea, Hennoiidsey,
Clerkenwell, Linu house, Maryie
boiie, I'addington. Tottenham and
Walworth. At Marylebone the l'n
ei iploycd interviewed a joint meet
ing of the Vestrymen and (luardians
and a somewhat noisy scene ensued.
The vestry ultimately agreed to do
their best for those out. of work if
the Social Democrats would furnish
them with information as to how
many required work. This our com
rades promised to do. and to meet
them again on Wednesday next, Jan.
1'.'. In other districts the local
bodies resolved not to meet the Un
employed, and therefore, processions
with the Kcd Flag at their head,
were marched to the private resi
dences of some of the Vestrymen
and Cuardians, As you may guess,
a considerable "scare'' was occa
sioned by these proceedings, and sev
eral police were ordered to accom
pany every gathering of Unemployed
in the metropolis.
In licrmondscy the local branch
of the Social Democratic Federation
have forced tho vestry to agree to
one of their propositions, the estab
lishment of a free labor bureau at
the Town Hall for those out of em
ployment. In Limehotise and Coin
ing Town, which are Last Knd dis
tricts whore the poverty is very
severe, promises of work for the
unemployed have been made; whilst
in every pari of tho metropolis, the
snow, which has recently fallen very
heavily, has been cleared away with
gnsiler dispatch, ami a larger num
ber of men employed for that pur
pose than for some years past. Dur
ing this week many meetings and
parades of the Unemployed have
been held.
The capitalist press, which not a
year or ho ago tried to boycott our
actions as much as possible, now de
votes columns to reporting any steps
of importance taken by our local
branches, and give long leaders to
prove that it is most absurd to take
any notice of such notoriety hunters
as Social I tetuocrats.
Regarding the ministerial crisis,
which hits been brought by Lord
Kandolph Churchill s resignation
from the government, 1 am informed
on excellent authority, that one
cause of his retiring from the Salis
bury Cabinet was that he had direct
differences with his colleagues with
reference to the sanctity of that frau
dulent phrase, '"freedom of con
tract," and the duty of the state to
interfere on behalf of the Unem
ployed. Lord Randolph Churchill,
though an unscrupulous politician,
is sharp enough to see that tho Social
Democratic views in Kngland threat
ens to submerge a good deal more
than the mere privileges of anliris-to'-racv.
and is desirous that the
Tory i'arty. with himself, of course,
at the head, should have some share
in guiding that current which he
sees clearly, the rest of the Cabinet
will be wholly unable to stem.
In the next number (February), of
the Mmtruth Ciiitv.rij, 1L M.
llvndman will contribute an article
on '"Socialism in Small Doses,"
which, in a mild form, for the bene
fit of those of the middle class who
whilst wishing perhaps, to learn
more of our principles, are terrified
at anything denunciatory, explains
the measures which the Socialists
have been and are endeavoring to
press upon the local authorities.
11. W. Lkk.
1 S.---1 have just learnt that our
Manchester Comrades have to-day
held a most successful Unemployed
demonstration.
NEXT MONDAY'S AFFAIR.
C.'iitnil I.ahor Hull, tlie New Head
quarters of Oraiinized Labor.
The tickets of admission which
were issued by the Town Committee
of the Labor I'arty for the (fraud
Opening of Central Labor Hall, in
Lunar Block, opposite Bunnell's,'"
h ive sold ''like hot cakes," and
next Monday's affair promises to bo
one of the most enjoyable of the
season. Henry C Baldwin has
promised to be on hand, and when'
that is said it means a good speech
that will warm up its hearers ou tho
Labor question, Then there will bo
excellent sinirinir bv the ILxrutrari
Singing Society, and line music for
dancing. Volunteer workers are
busy preparing the hall for - the oc-.
etision, and all who come may bo
gure of a "good time."
Industry Club, K. of L., has
voted to secure quarters there for
the coining year.
AN EASY VICTORY.
New York ('iiipel Weavers Win After
u Short Strike.
Nkw Voi:k, .Ian. '-J7. -lliggins' .
carpet factory was the scene of an
other strike tho past few days. ,
Nearly il.OOO men and women, mem
bers ol tho K. of L., under tho jur-
isdiction of District Assembly l'.'fi,
have forced their employes to accede
to their demands and this morning
returned to work.
PHILADELPHIA LABOR PARTY.
In Philadelphia the Labor Party
has nominated a straight ticket, as
follows: For Mayor, Thomas A.
Phillips; Collector of Taxes, J. (I.
Franks; City Attorney, Charles S.
Keyser; Police Judge, Lewis A,
Ros.a. The capitalistic papers take
about the same view as their kind
did in New Haven of the nomina
tions. The candidates are conceded
to be good, honest men; but of
course good character counts for
nothing in capitalistic politics.
UNITED LABOR PARTY.
The various Assembly District
organizations of New York city are
keeping up the interest in honest
politics by holding regular meetings
which are well attended and will
add strength to the party in its next .
((litest, with the corruptionists.
THE CARPENTERS.
Owing to the great increase in
membership, the Brotherhood of
Carpenters and Joiners have been
compelled to move to larger quarters.
Hereafter their meetings will be
held at Llk Hall, cS.VJ Chapel street,
same evenings as before.
K.jOF L.
The prepartions for the annual
ball of tho .various assemblies of the
city indicate a most successful and
brilliant event. Fine music has
been engaged with which to inspire
the dancers, and experienced cater
ers will supply "the wants of the
merry gathering should their pro
longed jolity prompt demands by the ,
appetite. February 14th is the time
set and tickets are selling rapidij.
A ( 'hinaman in speaking to himself as
he irons a shirt, picks up a shirt showing
evidence of having leen cared for, ami
savs: "Uachelor. him; landlady fix him."
Picks up another, huttonless and all
frayed ;it the wrists and neck, and says;
"Married man." i'twti Vonrkr.
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