The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-31
Local Matters.
Ayres.

The CARPENTERS OF WAsHNoToN.-An effort,
but unsuccessful one, has been made during the
present summer, by the men of this trade, to OBJ
tain increased compensation for their labor.
dollar and half has been the usual price, but the
desire has been TO obtain for the present time
81 rs, and after specified time to Increase the
per diem TO 50 90. Several meetings were held
on the subject, resolutions passed, and
"strike" agree upon, and for brief period acted
out But the meetings grew smaller and smaller,
until at length those who constituted the last one
caused circular to be addressed to the employers
Of which the following is a copy;
WAsmNoroN, Aug. % 1850.
SIR At an adjourned meeting of the faithful Of
the strikers of the journeymen house carpenters
Of Washington, held at the City Hall this even
ing, the 22d instant, the following resolution
unanimously adopted, and ordered to be pub
ished; and that the secretary be requested TO send
copy OF these proceedings to each OF the enl-
ployers who signed our resolutions and were
willing to give ST. 10 per day
ResOiued, That the employers of this city who
are paying s 10 per day be notified that mas
much the journeymen of Washington have
failed TO take personal interest in the cndeavor
to raise the wages, IT is the opinion Of this meeting
that they are no longer required 10 give the wages
asked for by the strike and that they at once cut
down the wages TO the old standards and that
they require OF the hands that have received 81 IS,
TO refund the amount over and above 81 90 per
day. JOHN r. GRIMES,
President pro tempore.
MIDDLETON BRcKHEAD, Secretary.
This resolution was also signed by the follow
ing journeymen, who were present at the meeting:
VIM L. Grimes, r. b. Griffin,
Iohn Saunders, Joseph Gregg,
Beverly w. Bcall A. J. Hurdle,
VIM. n. Thomas, VIM. Is. Downing,
John II. Suter, James G.. Ellis,
VIM. II. Frazier, G. W. Drane,
Vim usrrod Thomas n Eckard
John Ii. kidwel, Henry II. Curtis.
There is here exhibited some little feeling Of cha
grin, 10y no means remarkable under the circum-
stances though doubtless Of but evanescent
nature. 1t was then understood, we believe, and is
now by the trade generally, that and after the
hrst day Of March next, two dollars per day would
be the minimum rate Of carpenters wages in this
city.
In response TO the late demands, the employers
alleged that all their pending contracts had been
made upon estimates taking s so as the maxi
mum Of wages. and that the proposed change
would sacrifice them, and violate the implied un-
derstanding existing between the parties at the
time these contracts were entered into.
The first Of these reasons should have its weight
The employing carpenters Of this city, taken col
lcctycly, are az skilful, intelligent, liberal, and
worthy body Of citizens az our community con-
tains and we arc assured that none more cheer
fully accord 20 them this name than do the work
men employed ia their service; and IL is, there
fore, out Of good-wi and kindness towards them
that we would have their interests considered But
the score Of right and strict justice do not
think the reason ia good one, nor DO VIC believe
that persistence in demanding increased wages
violates any contract or understanding, expressed
or implied existing between the journeymon and
a.. = 4.
in the world, except the bounlics which Providence
bestows upon all tho human family alike.
What Is commonly called wealth Is only the ac-
cumulated product Of labor house a farm
belongs to man only because he or his ancestors
have procured it with the product Of labor Of
sort. Has the right ever been denied to the owner
Of such property to the possessor Of an accumula-
ton Of labor to refuse 10 sell IL at any other price
than that he deems IL TO be WORTH II not, then why
may man thus fix any value he plcases upon that
which represents a thousand days labor, while lac
who has more TO dispose Of than one days labor
may not exercise such right DO men who bold
the accumulated labor ofa year study the interest
or convenience Of tbosc who wish TO purchase, and
for their sake refrain from obtaining suohincroased
prices az the demand will warrant them in ask
ingi
During tho past year such houses az journcymen
occupy have been in great demand in Washing
ton, because journeymcn have been in great de-
mand. These houses the accumulated labor
Of their owners. Many Of these owners the
employers Of mechanics. Have increased rents
been asked for these houses II IL notorious that
from twenty TO forty per cent has been the rate Of
such increase. This has been effected without any
reference being made to the welfare OF the tenant.
And this ia not unjust. The law Of supply and de-
mand must tc the guide Of every man in every
kind Of business. But there have been instances
in which landlords have conceded portion Of their
rights and forbornc for a time to exact increased
rents of good and worthy tenants. However, this
Is just what the journeymcn carpenters ought
10 do, and arc doing, with reference to their
employers. They are yielding portion Of their
rights in ppirit of good. within their desire TO
inlict no evil upon the men with whom their in
tercourse has ever been OF friendly and respect.
fu character. In this they have the hearty ap-
provsl of our whole community; and in future
judicious movement for the promotion Of their own
welfare, their present conduct will prove by no
means dotriment TO their
We would now advise that their future purposes