The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-09-09 00:00:00

HARD TIMES IN AMERICA.

The American Correspondent of 2 he Times writes :

There have recently been several demonstrations by
unemployed labouring men, of which accounts may
have reached you. These demonstrations have been
meetings and processions, followed by deputations to
the Mayors and City Corporations, asking for an in-
crease in the amount of public work, so that it may be
given to the unemployed. These demonstrations have
uniformly been answered by the authorities that they
sympathised with the unemployed poor, but had no
power to do what was asked. Most of the meetings
were held more than a week ago, and it was thought
there might fellow a general movement of the kind in
all the large cities, but it seems to have almost died
away or to be slumbering. Strangely enough, the
largest and most demonstrative meeting was at the
little city of Elizabeth, New Jersey, where the
attendance outnumbered the meetings in New York.
The procession in New York, the latest movement of
the kind, was an utter failure; 50,000 men were ex-
pected to take part, and barely 1,200 appeared. They
carried political devices, whiah caused shrewd suspicions
that politicians were at the bottom of the matter, and
the meagre dieplay made seems to have thrown a
damper on this kind of thing both in New York and
elsewhere. None of these demonstrations in any way
Indicated any thought of "bread riots ;" they were
simply demands made for work collectively. There are
large numbers of unemployed people in the United
States at present, especially in the large cities, and
much want is anticipated duping the winter. Oar
charitable organizations are, however, fully able to
take care of the needy, so that no trouble need be
feared. The most destitution is anticipated in the
coal and iron regions, were the amount of wcrk has
been curtailed to a greater extent than in any other
industry. The condition of affairs has resulted in a
marked reduction in wages, and also in the time of
employment, compared with a few years ago. The
reductions are complained of, but are generally ac-
cepted without "strikes,, as the working people
see there is no alternative. The few " strikes '
attempted this year have all failed, the most
formidable one that of the brakesmen on
the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, having last
week ended in the discharge of all the " strikers '
and the employment of others at reduced pay. This
" strike " at one time assumed a threatening aspect.
The men had not been paid for three months, and
when the reduction was announced, they took
possession of the line and for nearly a week prevented
the running of goods trains. The Governors of Indiana
and Illinois both issued proclamations against this inter-
ference, and would have called out troops had not the
"dead lock" terminated. The railway paid the arrears
but would not re employ any of the "strikers," and
since August 16 its traffic has been conducted as usual.
This "strike " was, however, an exceptional one,
and no other this year has approached it in magni-
tude or formidable character. The general rule
when reduced wages are announced, is to grumble
and submit. The working man knows that there
are plenty in every trade out of work who are glad
to get it at any wages at all, and he does not wish
to risk being thrown out. In fact, the organized
means of resistance to reduced wages in America are
much weaker now than formerly. The "Trade Union"
is not what it once was. In New York, which is a pat-
tern for all the cities, the Secretary of the General As-
sociation of the Trade Unions has just made a report
showing that the membership of unions in that city
has dwindled from 73,000 in 1872 to 15,000 now. The
falling cif, he said, was caused by losing "strikes," the
consumption of "reserve funds,' and inability to pay
dues, resulting in the discharge or resignation of the
members. The sufferers by the hard times are the
employers as well as the employed. In New Eng-
land the shares of manufacturing corporations have
long been regarded as among the best investments, yet
since 1874 these shares have depreciated from 17 to 75
per cent. This immense decline is as noticeable in the
stocks of the best and strongest corporations as in the
, weaker ones.

A sad accident has occurred in the Solway Firth, a
few miles from Dumfries. Some months ago a F:ench sloop
went aground on Blackshaw Bank, opposite the village of
Carsethorn, Kirkcudbrightshire, and the wreck was after-
wards sold. Several attempts have since been made by the
employment of divers to raise the sunken hulk. On Tuesday
forenoon a diver from Liverpool, with his assistant and three
other men, had been to the wreck in a small boat, but on
returning the boat was leaking, a hole having been knocked
in it by some of the timber of the wreck, and the sea being
ro Igh it was capsized, the five men being left struggling in
the war. The diver succeeded in clutching to the keel of
the boa and was rescued by a fisherman, but his assistant
and the other three men were drowned.

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