The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-08-31 00:00:00

DUDLEY.

'THE STRIKE IN THE NAIL TRADE,--4. large meeting
of nailers was held on Tuesday afternoon last in
Porter's Field, Dudley,—Mr. John Price said the people ,
up to that moment. in every nailmaking district, were
all of one mind, and refused to go to work at the terms
aered by the masters. He had been called a despot,
and on th 3 foil ,wing morning he had called a meeting
of delegates and should reveal to them that he had
'hired to become despotic on behalf of the masters, for
he had resolved on a course which was favourable to
to them and against the men. Although the old resolu-
tion had been unanimously passed at every meeting held
the previous day, he had determined to act the despot
for the mastera—(hear, hear)—and to recommend the
aceeptaece of I'2l per cent. from the list of 1875.
(Murmurs and a voice, " We won't have more than ten
off.") He had resolved to try to meet the masters, and
without consulting the feeling of the nailers, he proposed
to take the arbitrary step he had pointed out. (" No,
no.") It was, he knew, in total opposition to all the
resolutions hitherto adopted, but despot as he was, he
should give way to the masters to the extent of 21 per
ceet.—(Voices : "We won't have it ") He loved their
spirit ; he admired the pluck which was everywkere
evinced, but they really must allow him to continue his
despotic sway. (Laughter) It was time the strike was
finished, and whether they were agreeable or not, it
would have to be as he had stated. (Dissent.) He '
would have the strike brought to an end if the masters
eeerld accept his offer of 121 instead of 10 per cent.
Bet should the employers reject it, he would then rely
upsa the smilers standing by him till the full demand
wes c;reee ied (-‘ We Will.") Now, he had been called
Conservative, aod he acknewledeed he was one hi
principle, and to " the ' backbone ;" but as the late
William Tinsley -sod he W-03 Radical enough on the
nailers' question, (Hear, hear and laughter.) Mr.
Best, of Old Hill, ass also a Conservative, and a gentle-
man who had befriended their people. He was indeed
a real philanthropist, who was building schools, erecting
a public hall, and snaking a park fur his poorer neigh-
bours, Mr. Best, indeed employed a man named Beribitt
to flail out the cases of local destitution, to see who
deeded bread, and to clothe the naked. What had Mr.
Best done for them at Rowley Amongst other things
he had subscribed .£2 a week for two weeks. Although
he honoured the gentleman, he had never spoken to him
on his life. He had been falsely accused of using the
money' Well, he had not touched a penny of it, but it
was placed in the hands of Mr. Hill, who distributed it
to meet expenses in connection with the strike, and 24s
of the money was spent in sending men backward and
frw rrds to Bromsgrove. He utterly repudiated any in-
sinuation that he had ever taken the fractional part of a
farft (Hear, hear.) In conclusion, he would repeat
Lthe wished the Treaters to know he should advise
4erk be eesucced if eery wouid snake out a n-t
tat at tae rate t 2i more de-conot. If this
nut acceded to he should meet them again at Dudley
(Applause.)