The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-03-08 00:00:00

THE STRIKE IN SOUTH WALES.

Tho Correspondent of the Daily Telegraph writes from
Merthyr, Sunday Evening—
Another surprise has overtaken the people of South
Woke. After having experienced the bitterest disap.
poisitment by two ineffectual attempts to bring about
a settlement, they have now inc probability of wit-
nessing a return to duty on the part of the ironworkers
at no distant day. Heretofore the movement has been
taken by the ironworkers in the way of conciliation,
but now the ironworkers have advanced to the front.
They held a 1118k9 meeting at the Drill Hall on
Friday evening, when the most inspiring addresses
were delivered by the agents and leaders of the Iron-
workers Asscciation. The text at that assembly
was, "If you can come to an honourable settlement,
do no; but if not, tight it out to the bitter end."
This was constantly an I defiantly recited throughout
the evening, and yet within twenty-four hours the very
men from whom an 1 hopeless sentiments emanated
summoned a conference in order to consider the situation
of affairs and decide on the wisest course to pursue.
They did not adhere to the 'bitter end" policy on the
previous evening, but pursued an unquestionably wise
comae by passing the following resolution : "That
it he the opinion of the delegates esent that, con-
sidering all the circumstances connected with the
present dispute, it would be advisable to amept the
terms of the employers—namely, the 10 per cent.
reduction for one month— as it would tend to avert
much suffering on the part of the working classes
not connected with our organisation and would
ultimately lead to a better understanding between
the employer, and employed in the principality, and
that the members of every lodge be hereby requested
to call a special meeting to consider the above resolu-
tion, and to vote by ballot as to its acceptance." Then
came the inevitable "save the agitator "clause, which
was introduced into the Tondu treaty, and is never
lost sight of in the settlements of trade disputes nowa-
days. It runs thus "That the employers be requested
to make sush arraniements with the managers as will
prevent any ironworkers from being victimised in con-
sequence of the active part ho may have taken in con-
nection with this dispute."
This sudden and encouraging turn has agreeably
taken people by surprise; and although on this
occasion the "leaders" have dictated a surrender,
still, after the three disappointments of the past three
weeks, there will be a disinclination to believe in a
settlement till it taki a effect. To morrow morning
the members of the Ironworkers Union, wto, by-the-
bye, are numerically insignificant, will be summoned
to their various lodges, there to debate on the wisdom
of a surrender; and in the evening a mass meeting will
be held. Apart from the misery and starvation that
already prevail, not only the ironworkers, but the
colliers too, will pursue a wise cour,e by accepting the
masters' terms at once, and averting prolonged
suffering.
On Monday another set of ironworkers' representa
tires assembled in committee at Merthyr, and inoi-5.,1
a resolution repudiating compromise. The resolution.
ista proteeted that they wou!d accept no other terms
than an immediate return to work at the old rate, with
a promise of 5 per cent, advance after the present
month. The is dated body of men who made their
submission at Blain& last week is daily increasing.
On this point Thc Times correspondent, writing on
Monday remarks:—
. . . . .

There wee a report current in thla district on Saturday
night that the Blaine men did not intend to tont:ante week
after that (ley bet, to ray the 1..4, the report sees sirs.
pictorial, and one was quite justitled in believing that its
authors were men to whem the wish was father to the
thought. To set the matter at rest, this morning I vieited
that district, calling at Reunion, Nantyglo, and Blaine.
I found not only that the report which had been
circulated at Merthyr was untrue, but that the
colliers had gore to work in very considerable numbers.
Nearly double Ihe number of men who had worked last
week descended to their working places this morning There
were sufficient, indeed, to work no less than four collieries,
and so numerous were the app:ications for work from
cc Inert and miners from the eeigheouring valleys east and
west of these works that some of tie overmen deemed
It prudent to throw out a hint to the Blaine men,
who lad not yet cast in their lit for work, that it
they did not do so within the next day or two they
must not be surprised to find their places filled by
strangers. This blot was not lost for dozens of men
made application to-day for their tools, which were issued
to them prepratory to returning to work tomorrow morning
It hen thus been proved in the most satisfactory manner that
the contagion of example is a far more important agent in
the determination of disputes of this kind than some per-
sons imagine. A few men at Blaine who had joined In a
resolution to return to work under conditions which ex-
posed them to a certain degree of opprobrium, have by
their manly behaviour practically brought the Strike to •
close in that place. The number of those who commenced
work on Thursday was doubled on Friday, and Saturday
brought a yet further accession to their ranks, while to-day
they have mustered nearly two for every one who came out
of the collieries on Saturday, and to-morrow they will des-
cend to their work in still greater strergth. But the
influence of this most praiseworthy display of moral courage
has been greater even than the most sanguine could
have auticipeted. It is not non.l'ulord ts alexm who
have been persuaded to resume e ork, tut a considerable
secession hen taken place front the ranks of the
Union itself, there being among the men who went
down to work this morning many men, who until now have
been loyal to the colliers' organization. I think it is
a fact of no slight signirleation that they have repu-
diated their allegiance to the ruling powers among the
colliers, and, unless those powers see the wisdom of affecting
an early settlement npon the conditions which at this
moment are opened to them, it is not improbable that the
Blaine revolt may stimulate the more formidable repudi-
ation of central authority in other places. 'the spirit of
independence among the colliers and miners has burst
forth with too much vigour ti be suppreseed. The ex-
ample of the Blaine men has been followed by those
of Beaufort and Nantyglo. Frustrated in their design
on Thursday, these workmen, or rather, I should say,
those of m who were desirous of an immediate
resumplion of cork upon the Blaine terms, assembled
again at Libanus Chuple, in the town of Brynmsur,
en Friday evening, litre they were nut ripened to the
machinations of their °pitoni nts, and the Rev. Mr. Den, •
Congregational minister, having been appointed chairman,
addresses were delivered by himself and various tradesmen
and workmen advising the men, In their own interests, to
return the work without loss of another day. The longer
they remained out the worse would be their ultimate con-
dition If they had never struck at all, but continued
work at the reduction they would have been richer by
the accumulated earnings of two month.' labour, and
have entered ea Monday upon the old rate of wages.
Ihe meeting was harmonious throughout, and before it
closed a resolution WU carried unanimously pledging all the
workmen preseet to resume work upon Sir. Trump's offer,
10 per cent. reduction for a month, and then the old rate.
On Monday (this monlng), therefore, these men fulfilled
their promise. The Nantyglo men proceeded to their
pits, the Beaufort men to theirs, and the great fact
WAS established that the colliers of the Nantyglo
and Blaine Iron Company had resumed work at each
sectien of their works. At Blain& they have already
started. The appleetlons for employment flowed into the
wince at • rate that shows every likelihood of all the workitig
place. ready being filled before Wednesday. At the other
places the men have not returned to ve rk in such full
streueth, but we have abundant reason to anticipate in each
case a repetition of what has ocotirred at Itlaina,

Activity in the ironworks is a question of only a few days.
The Ironworkers have decided to go in upon the same terms
as the colliers, and are only waiting the output of a sufficient
Quantity of coal to enable them to make a fair start before
relighting the forge fires. Itefore another week has expired
the change in the aspect of that district will be of the
most gratifying character, unless something at present un-
formen anal unexpected should arise to thwart the evident
Intention. of the men. At none of the other work. has
anything been done, and the workmen appear to be looking
out (ermine decided course to be taken by the Merthyr men,
though I know of no reason why they should not everywhere
do as the Blaine men have done—think for themselves and
decide for themselves without external advice. At Merthyr
the proceedinge this day, ill consequence of the resolu-
tion adopted by the Ironworkers' delegates on Satur-
day, upon the advice of Mr. Kane, have partaken In
a great degree of the ridiculous. Mr. Kane's advice
officially was intended for the Associated Ironworkers
alone, but gelerally for the entire body. The men,
however, who belonged to the English association Resembled
at their lodges to ,day, and held their meetings in pi Irate;
at each place they voted by ballot upon the question of
going to work upon the masters' terms, and eel. to a
common conclusion not to do so. But when I say Mit
the eutaide numbers of the attendances at there lodge
meetings could be counted by tens, except in one
esse--that of Dowlait— here I am informed the MUT-
bon present did not actually amount to 20, the value
of their resolutions as repesentativee of the great
body of ironworkers of Oil town will be apparent. It
was simply a burlesque, and it Is right that the public
should know the lull value of the deciuicns of these coteries
of pro-Strike Unionists when it is attempted to palm them
oft as the collective resolutions of 50,0e0 persons. The non-
Union ironworkers are indignant at their exclusion from
these meeting!, and repudiate the authority of the associa-
tion to speak is teeir name and on their behalf. The
lodges represent but an Insigniflcant fraction of the
whole body, albeit that fraction Includes meet un-
compromising adv.icstee of resistance, It it, whetht r
for good or evil, it is probable that they exercise an infloeuce
out of proportion to their numerical strength. The greatest
hope of a settlement in this wieighbourhood has in the same
independent spirit of a small Maly of the best workmen
which has produced such satisfactory results at Blaine. As
the Strike Kis dragged its slow length along, these men have
one after another pushed their way to the front, and at this
moment a movement Is progressing among the Howlett Iron
workers of which I have great hopes, becanee, ifethe men have
courage equal to the occasion, it is probable that to-morrow
night may have to communicate the intelligeuce of a start
at the Dowlals Works Hundreds—nay, thousands—are
eager for • return to work. The great difficulty—if It
deserves the name, when there ought to be nothing
difficult about it—is to get together • sufficient number
of men who have the resolution to go in aud dare
such as troy desire to interfere with them. There
wouite I believe, from my knowledge of the general
feeling of the miin, be a perfect rush for work in the
course of a few days ; but who will be the fMst to go in
la the question. That question may be decided at Dowlais
to-morrow. A number of the best workmen have determined
to make a personal canvass among the skilled dames of
their companions; and if they succeed, as I believe they will,
In obtaining • sufficient number prepared to start a portion
of the works only, an orei r will be issued for the start, and
operations be extended as men apply for employment It
would be impreilent to raise hopes for which there is no
reasonable foundation, but I think the scheme of the Dowlsis
workmen is one which contains the elements of success.

TO-day the Icst of the blast furnaces at the Plymouth Iron-
works which were damped down when the Strike commenced,
has been sul Jerted to the process of blowing out. It doe.
not necesasrlly follow that boson's the whole of the blast
1 urnves of the Plymouth Works are out, the forges and mills
niust wait until they are relighted before operations can be
resumed, because the proprietors may be enabled to procure
pig Iron from other sources. Still • large number of men
mast remain unemployed until the funsaces are again in an
active state and, under any clrettmstancee, blowing out •
blast furnace to • fetiolgs matter, and doubly so just now.

"Our Own Corresponcient" of Tht Tones, writing
from Merthyr, the 4th inst., gives the following en-

c,.uraging account of the effort on the part of the men
themselves to resume work :

My antlelplitions that the Dowleis ironworkers would not
permit the reeolation of the Associated Ironworkers to which
I referred yeeterday to pass unchallenged have been verified
hy the result. Yesterday evening, on my way down from
Dowlais, I met two or three of the Dowlals Company's work-
men, whose faces I recognised from having seen them at
several of the meetings which have been held. One of them is
a fair speaker, and has signalised himself by his modera-
tion and prudence in this struggle. He said the Dow/leis
Ironworkers were very much annoyed that the Union
Lodges should have met in a sort of secret conclave and re-
solved in the name of the whole body of workmen to rejtct
all terms which fell ;bort of those to which Mr. Broaden
gave his adhesion. Want could they do to put themselves
right? He told me then that the great bulk of the iron-
workers would return to work at once if only a beginning
could be made. Ile got another man to accompany him, on
together they celled upon the heads of the mill and forge de-
partments of I; ;trials Worka, and Inquired v bother the
works could here-opened if • small number of men presented
themselves at the offices for work upon ;heir matters' terms.
" Yes," soil the agent, "we will start if you bring us enough
to let one mill and one forge going."
The men then made a personal canvars of their companion.,
and ascertain how many were prepared to return to work,
notwithstanding that the general body might still remain
out. They did so, and the movement has/succeeded beyond
their most sanguine hopes. Three or four most trusty men,
eojoing a reputation alike f their respectability and bade.
pendsoce, took up the suggestion warmly, and set to work
upon it with a zeal which amounted almost to enthusiasm
They found no difficulty in obtaining names from men pre-
pared to work under the circumstances mentioned. Indeed,
they received accessions to their ranks so fast that the in-
telligence of the business travelled faster than they did
themselves, and by the time they lid rt ached the neighbour-
hood of the office they found the street blocked up by several
thousand persons, who were all waiting with almost feverish
anxiety the result of same deliberations proceeding within.
When the original movers in the matter arrived at the
office they found another band of workmen discussing the
question with the managers of the mills and forges. It ap-
pears that these men, bearing that names were being received
at the office of those who were willing to return to work,
flocked thither without losing a moment to give their names.
They found that no tames were being received by the clerks,
but they improved the occasion by opening a discussion with
the heads of the depart/meets relerred to, and while they
were so engaged the others arrived, and Joined the discus
-
Sion The workmen offered to return upon the 10 per cent.
reduction bra fortnight, but the agents stipulated for three
weeks. However, they intimated to the men sufficient to
arouse them that it would be to their own interest to accept
the company's proposal, and make no other a/mations.
They Were 3t, well satufleel, indeed, that they left the office
in the highest glee, and when they re appeared among the
crowd, and stated plainly that so far as they were concerned
the Strike was settled, there was a general outburst of
cheering.

Before parting with the officials by whom they had been
received, the workmen promised to call their nail Union
friend. together in the evening, so that it might not be said
that thej had done anything in an underhand manner; at
the other places the workmen hail agreed by resolution at •
public meeting to resume work, and at Dowlale it should not
be said that they did anything less open than that. Accord-
ingly, a meeting was held this evening in the school-room of
one of the largest chapels, a place large enough to aceornmo-
date about COO persona. Care was taken to have it published
as a meeting of men who were desirous of returning to work.
Long before the hour appointed for the commencement if
business the room was crowded to excess, there not ',Mug
area standing room left unoccupied, except near the chair-
man's table. A workman was elected to preside, and • few
remarks to the point stated that their object in assembling
was to decide whether they would return to work upon the
company's offer.

_
At this stage a workman rose and sail that the meeting
was supposed to be a non- I. Monist gathering, but there were
one or two Unionists present, and he wished tu know whether
they were to be allowed to remain in the room.

Another workman replied that, so far as his personal sent!-
meats were concerned, he took no notice of Unionists or
non-Uniontsts They were all the same to him if they were
equally desirous of going back to their labour—a statement
which was cheered with vigour. There was no further ob•
lection taken to Unionists, and great deal of speaking en.
sued, the speeches, however, being short and to the point,
advisng submission to the masters' terms, not as all act of
humiliation, but in discharge of a duty which they owed to
themsela,s, their wives and families, and therefore in their
own best interests.

Some of the speakers, however, rose above the level, and
laid the position before the meeting in language which moved
their hearts and kindled enthusiasm. They were asked to
be men, to cut asunder the leading strings of those who found
it more in consonance with their inclinations to live upon
the backs of their fellow-workmen than by hard work, and
allow by a line of action about which there could be no
mistake that they were at length awake to the re•
epousibility which premed upon them of thinking and
deciding for themselve• It was very well for men who
were In receipt of regular stipends, which sufficed to satisfy
all their requirements, to cry out every time they made an
attempt Li come to terms with their employers : "Stand to
your principles, be men, fight to the end." That would do
upon...one condition,—that aome 01)sterious power supplied
them a ith the means of lighting while they ate the limed of
idleness, or that they could all receive appointments as the
paid delegates or agents of au association, with salaries pay-
able under all circumstances, whether the ru• tubers worked
or starved. It was evident, from the hearty and general
applause with which these expressions were received, that
the meeting se a whole was as decide'ly hostile to the
c tune resolved upon by their Union fellow-workmen yes-
terday as any thing could possibly be.
ch.e speaker, himself a Union man. denounced In un-
measured term, the impudence of the Union Lodges in ar-
rogating autht rity to speak on behalf t f the whole body of
ireuworkere. At the meeting of the Dowlale Lodge, he said,
there were but a few men present—a mere handful out of the
enormous number employed at Diarlais : but out of the few
three voted for work, and because they did so the others put
forth a report that the Dowlais ironworkers had met, and
only three were found who desired to go to work, lie
denounced Mot conduct as shameful, and the meeting en-
dorsed his sentiments by repeated rounds of ap;:latise.
The same speaker also indulged in a free and pungent
criticism on some of the Union leaders; but he did not
say anything which his audience considered too hard,
for they appeared to relish his caustic observations erect&
ingly. When the speaker in discussing the difference of a
wools which existed between the period stipulated by the
masters and th • workmen for the duration of the reduction,
asked the question, "Are you going to haggle any more
about a week? I wait for an answer," the answer came from
all parts of the room in • stentorian" No, no!" It was not a
fight between the workmen and the masters, said this work.
men it was a fight between their pride and their stomach,
and common sense would dictate which of those two ought
to give way to the other. They were greatly to be Wattled
for not taking the matter up long ago, instead of allowing
others to exercise a dominant influence over them, to
I heir serious injury in pocket. in 11111,1, and in credit.
But it was better to mend their nays late than
never, and l( at that, their first independent meeting,
they succeeded in effecting a settlement for themselves and
all others who desire to avail themselves of the same condi-
tions, it would be • proof of the inestimahle importance of
working men ttensacting their own business themselves, in-
stead of relegating the duty to the paid agents of an organix s-
tion, who might, no doubt, understand their owu interests,
but certainly did not understand those of the masses whom
they professed to represent. In this unhappy dispute those
men, instead of drawling the two parties nearer, had Mead.
ably contrived to set them further apart than ever at the
moment when they were about to join hands. Let there be
an end to that, and henceforth let the workmen think for
themselves and decide for themselves.

A workman near the door, a member of the Colliers' Union,
then spoke. The chairman having invited • free expresstm
of opinion, the collier Mill he thought the ironworkers had
no business to meet and decide upon going to work until the
c 4 'liters had sasented to the course but the meeting 11:11.
agreed with the collier, and, after giving Lim a patient
hearing, proceeded with the important business in hand,
UllinflUelleeli by anything which he hail said.

_
A proposition was made that they should accept the re-
duction for • fortnight only, and this seemed to find univer-
sal favour, but some person suggested that they should he
careful not to spoil their good work by sticking at such a trifle
as one week, the agent having proposed that theyshould take
the reduction for three weeks. Clearly enough it was •
matter of principle, and not of money: and, having the
fullest confidence in the company, he suggest- d that they
should return for • fortnight at the reduction, and after thee
still work on, leaving the third week an open question,
which he had no doubt the masters would decide in their
favour. In this form the resolution was put to the meet-
tug, and a forest of hand. wee held up for it amid load
cheers.

The chsirman raid if there were any persons preeent who
objected to the proposition he would take their votes, and
one ie-litsry hand, belonging to The collier, who, of course,
disagreed with the proceedoms altogether, was held up, and
evoked considerable laughter. Tne meeting then gave
several rounds of cheers, and broke up after authorizing the
rkmen who waited upon the mil manager and forge
manager to-day to convey the resolution to him to-morrow
morning . . .

No further diftkulty Is apprehended, end to-morrow, I
think, will witness the re-opening of several Important
branches of the great Lawlais Works The compiwy are
well oil for coal at present, and will not allow the works to
come tea standstill for lack of a siipply when the present
stock Is exhausted. They are prepared for the contingency
of a continued struggle with their colliers, and meantime
the ironstone miners, finding their occupation gone, have
already waited upon their agent to know whether they may
go into the coalworks. 'they have received a favourable
answer, and I shall not be surprised If they resume work by
the cod of the week.

The We't Yorkshire colliers have received en ad.
Vance of ten per cent. on their present wages. Should
any further rise take place in the price of coal, the mill.
owners of Leeds and the district have detirmined to
close their mills thrie days a week.